Researchers at SUNY-ESF have developed a blight-tolerant American chestnut tree using the tools of genetic engineering that can coexist with the deadly chestnut blight pathogen. Biotechnology is an innovative approach to rescuing keystone forest species, but its use also presents several challenges. These include navigating a regulatory process not designed to handle the restoration of a wild species back to the forests; educating the public and engaging them in the restoration; and troubleshooting unanticipated problems as the first team to take on a project of this kind.

The loss of the American chestnut, an ecologically dominant species in eastern U.S. deciduous forests, is an iconic example of the devastation wrought by an invasive pathogen on a native keystone forest species. This project will not only impact the restoration of the American chestnut, but it will also provide a model of how to use biotechnology to restore other species.

This project can be divided into two main sections: preparing for restoration and public distribution, and launching a long-term restoration process.

In sum, this project will initiate a massive, long-term restoration program that will benefit the environment, farmers’ livelihood, and society.