Recent Headlines
ESF’s American Chestnut Restoration Project Receives $1.5 Million Grant
SYRACUSE, NY – Sept. 15, 2025 — The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) received a three-year, $1.5 million grant to support its American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project.
The grant, provided by the Peter & Carmen Lucia Buck Foundation, will advance efforts to improve blight-tolerant chestnut lines, expand outreach, and continue research aimed at restoring the iconic American chestnut and other threatened native trees to eastern U.S. forests.
American chestnuts (Castanea dentata) were once dominant tree species in eastern U.S. forests, comprising up to 25 percent of the trees in parts of their natural range. A century ago, the species was nearly wiped out by chestnut blight, a fungal disease introduced from Asia. Its loss significantly disrupted forest ecosystems and rural economies throughout the Appalachian region.
The Darling 54 variety of the American chestnut was developed by ESF’s American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project with support from American Chestnut Restoration, Inc., SilvaBio, and many others. It is the first conservation-focused forest tree to undergo a full USDA regulatory review. The project’s goal is to allow reintroduction of diverse and resilient trees to help restore forest health and biodiversity.
“Philanthropic support is vital for our work toward restoring this iconic tree to its rightful place in our forests,” said Dr. Andrew Newhouse, director of the American Chestnut Research & Restoration Project at ESF. “These investments not only advance the research and outreach but also help protect other imperiled native tree species.”
“This funding marks an important step forward in ESF’s commitment to restoring the American chestnut and strengthening forest ecosystems across the eastern U.S.,” said ESF President Joanie Mahoney. “We’re grateful for this support, which enables our researchers and partners to continue this vital work with even greater momentum.”
About SUNY ESF
The SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) is dedicated to the study of the environment, developing renewable technologies, and building a sustainable and resilient future through design, policy, and management of the environment and natural resources. Members of the College community share a passion for protecting the health of the planet and a deep commitment to the rigorous application of science to improve the way humans interact with the world. The College offers academic programs ranging from the associate of applied science to the Doctor of Philosophy. ESF students live, study and do research on the main campus in Syracuse, N.Y., and on 25,000 acres of field stations in a variety of ecosystems across the state.