The American Chestnut Foundation will hold a Darling 58 Update Live Chestnut Chat on September 15th from 11:30 am to 1 pm (EDT).
In this chat, TACF’s Chief Conservation Officer Sara Fitzsimmons and SUNY-ESF’s American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project researcher Andy Newhouse, along with others, will share the latest updates about the current status of the Darling 58 transgenic American chestnut.
There has been a lot of excitement around the potential release of this tree, and recent regulatory delays and additional restrictions for distribution may reduce the ability for everyone to get seed, seedlings, or pollen as swiftly as originally hoped. In this Chestnut Chat, we’ll go through some frequently asked questions, including:
- When will Darling 58 be deregulated and when can I get a tree?
- How “pure” do deployed, disease-resistant American chestnut populations need to be?
- Will pollen only be sent to those with trees proven to be wild-type American chestnuts?
- Will Darling 58 trees get the blight and to what degree?
- Will Darling 58 alone restore the American chestnut? Are we done with research?
- What material is distributed via TACF’s wild-type seedling sales and seed sponsor program?
Due to the number of people registered for this event, we will not have time to answer every question.
To participate in the live Zoom webinar, register at https://psu.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yhruCs75R0GDFwA-d0mPEQ#/registration
After registering you will receive a unique URL link that you’ll use to join on the day of the event. You can also add the event to your calendar from the webinar registration approval page. The Zoom meeting will open 15 minutes early to allow for audio and video testing.
Please note: Due to the large volume of participants expected, be aware that only the first 500 will be admitted to the live session, having the ability to ask questions. Once the 500-person threshold is met, Zoom will automatically place additional participants in an overflow space.