American Chestnut Service and Culture, Mount Rogers Area, Virginia

The Trip

Come experience the beauty of Southwest Virginia while also helping to preserve it.

We have the great opportunity to join with other conservation organizations to work on projects dear to us all. We work two days working with the American Chestnut Foundation, one day with the Nature Conservancy, and a day with the Mount Roger’s Appalachian Trail Club (MRATC). Our “free” day may include biking on the Virginia Creeper trail (all downhill), hiking on the Appalachian Trail (various day hike sections available), or listening to local and nationally renowned musicians.  

The Project

We will be doing fungus testing of hybrid (15/16ths) American chestnut seedlings at the Meadowview Research Farm near Abingdon, Virginia. This project requires precision to inoculate seedlings. There should be little physical effort needed except when lifting trays of small seedlings weighing up to 15 pounds. The trail work for the MRATC is more strenuous, involving hiking to the worksite and using tools to restore a trail. Sections of trail heavily trafficked by local and through hikers often need rehabilitation work. We will work alongside local volunteers for the MRATC. The Nature Conservancy worksite is in nearby Shady Valley, Tennessee on restored, southern-most native cranberry bogs. Details for that project will be determined by the Nature Conservancy. 

The American chestnut was the iconic tree of the eastern forests, providing lumber and nuts for the Appalachian Region. The introduction of the fungus in the 1900s decimated the native tree, resulting in an economic decline of the Appalachian region. Since the 1980s, the ACF has been crossing the blight-resistant Chinese chestnut to long-term survivor American chestnuts, resulting in a 15/16 American chestnut. Those progeny are being tested for resistance to the fungus before being planted in forests. In addition, transgenic work is being pursued to make the pure American chestnut truly resistant to the fungus-caused blight. 

We will be working in native high-elevation wetlands, habitat for the native cranberry plant. These bogs are home to the endangered bog turtle, and other wildlife (golden eagles, bear, turkey, migrating birds) thrive in these rare wetlands. 

Getting There

We will be working in the vicinity of Damascus, Virginia, which is near I-81 in southwestern Virginia. The nearest airport is the Tri-Cities airport near Johnson City, Tennessee (about an hour’s drive away). 

Please do not make non-refundable travel arrangements until notified to do so by the trip leader.

Accommodations and Food

We will be camping at Beartree Lake Campground in Washington-Jefferson National Forest. This campground has showers and flush toilets available. The meals are vegetarian-friendly and varied, and feature local produce as available. Participants will assist in cooking meals and cleaning up after breakfast and supper. Lunches are carried to the worksite. If desired, at your own expense, participants may visit local restaurants on the “free” day or attend local cultural events. 

The campground is in a quiet, secluded area of national forest. We can enjoy campfires and swim in the park’s lake.

Trip Difficulty

While not physically demanding, participants must be flexible and agile to perform the tasks involved by all partnering organizations. We will be standing, stooping, lifting, pulling, and possibly working in wetlands. Trail work may necessitate the use of power tools and heavy hand tools. The terrain is rough in the mountains when doing trail maintenance.

Equipment and Clothing

Standard camping equipment, including a waterproof tent, ground cloth, sleeping pad, and bag, is required, along with personal eating utensils. Comfortable, layered clothing for work tasks, work gloves, and comfortable, broken-in hiking boots are highly suggested. A day pack to carry lunch, rain gear, and two liters of water are required. Casual dress wear is appropriate for cultural events. An expanded gear list will be sent to participants in early May 2020.

References

• Freinkel, Susan, American Chestnut The Life, Death and Rebirth of a Perfect Tree. University of California Press, 2007.
• www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/shady-valley

Conservation

A lead scientist of the American Chestnut Foundation will give an informative talk during the week. In addition, we will tour the research farm in Meadowview, Virginia. A guest speaker will join us to talk about the endangered bog turtle, which resides in the cranberry bogs. This speaker worked for years for the Knoxville Zoo, leading the effort to restore the bog turtle (including raising turtle hatchings in her home).

Sierra Club National Outings is an equal-opportunity provider and when applicable will operate under permits obtained from U.S. federal land agencies.