(Posted April 20, 2009)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Tree lovers and those interested in forest conservation are invited to learn about the crisis facing the American Chestnut tree and participate first-hand in Juniata College's chestnut conservation efforts at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23, in Room B200 in Brumbaugh Academic Center.
The program is free and open to the public.

The program will start with an informative, 20-minute indoor presentation about the American Chestnut tree and how the species has nearly disappeared from America's forests due to the chestnut blight. The presentation will outline how concerned citizens can help save the American Chestnut.

The program will then move outside to the Juniata College Chestnut Orchard, which is planted just beyond the boundary of the Brumbaugh Academic Center complex, where participants can see Juniata's chestnut project in action and help plant new chestnut saplings in the orchard.
The college will provide refreshments.

Juniata College established a multi-species chestnut orchard behind Brumbaugh Academic Center in 2007 for research and education purposes. Through education and outreach efforts, individuals can better understand the crisis facing eastern North America's forests and learn how they can contribute to chestnut conservation.

Historically an important ecological and economic contributor to the forests of eastern North America, the American chestnut tree has been decimated by the chestnut blight. The blight is a fungal disease that was introduced to North America from Asia in the early 1900s. Now, conservationists and educators alike are working to overcome the blight and restore the American chestnut tree to our forests.

All ages are welcome. Tree-planting volunteers should wear appropriate clothing and footwear. For more information, e-mail goodmra05@juniata.edu.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.