![](media/image1.png){width="1.6645833333333333in"
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height="1.6243055555555554in"} ![](media/image3.png){width="2.0in"
height="1.4256944444444444in"}Peter Mali

Office of Surface Mining

(202)208-2565

<pmali@osmre.gov>

Darren Boch

National Park Service

\(212\) 668-2251

Darren_Boch@nps.gov

Meghan Jordan

The American Chestnut Foundation

\(828\) 713-9547

<meghan@acf.org>

# For Immediate Release

**December 11, 2008**

The American Chestnut Tree Returns to New York City in Time for the
Holidays

Governors Island, NY -- On Thursday, December 11, the Appalachian
Regional Reforestation Initiative (ARRI) announced plans to pledge 38
million trees over three years as part of the United Nations Environment
Program's (UNEP) Seven Billion Tree Campaign. ARRI, in conjunction with
the Department of the Interior's Office of Surface Mining (OSM), planted
five American chestnut trees the first of these 38 million trees---on
Governors Island.

"The overwhelming success of UNEP's Seven Billion Tree Campaign has been
dependent upon the actions of millions of people around the world --
from the average citizen to corporations, to towns and cities, to entire
countries---sometimes individually, but more often through innovative
partnerships", said Juanita Castano, Director of UNEP's New York Office.
"The joint OSM and ARRI initiative to restore the American chestnut is
an example of such a public-private collaboration. UNEP is very pleased
that they have chosen to link their national endeavor with UNEP's
international campaign and contribute towards the goal of a healthier
planet."

The American chestnut tree once graced eastern forests from Maine to
Georgia and its beauty and strength were legendary, but that was before
the blight. The blight was first discovered in New York City outside the
Bronx Zoo in 1904 and destroyed nearly four billion trees over the span
of 50 years.

\--MORE\--

"Four hundred years ago Native Americans and Dutch settlers referred to
this island as 'Nut' island because of the large number of nut trees.
There were so many that the Dutch set up a sawmill here, which produced
timber for the first cabins in Manhattan," said Linda Neal,
superintendent of Governors Island National Monument. "The trees planted
here today will reflect a connection to the island\'s rich history while
also symbolizing its future as an oasis for respite and renewal. So it
is fitting that this park was chosen as the New York City venue for this
tree planting campaign."

Brent Wahlquist, Director of OSM said, "The idea of pledging support to
the UNEP's Seven Billion Tree Campaign materialized when 12.7 million
trees were planted in 2007 on mined land in the Appalachian coal fields
under ARRI.  People's perception of what good mine reclamation looks
like (forest reclamation instead of grassland reclamation) is changing
thanks to ARRI and we are confident that our goal of 38 million trees
planted on mine land over three years will be achieved.  The trees that
are being planted under ARRI are high-value, native hardwoods, which
includes the American chestnut thanks to TACF.  The partnership between
UNEP, TACF, and ARRI serves as an organizational model for other groups
across the world whose goals are to restore disturbed landscapes with
reforestation."

"Governors Island is a wonderful place for us to be represented," said
Marshal Case, President and CEO of The American Chestnut Foundation
(TACF). "So much of what ARRI is doing revolves around creating a
healthier planet and improving overall forest health. This planting fits
right in with our goals and we're proud to be in such illustrious
company and Governors Island is a fitting destination for the return of
the American chestnut to New York City."

This commitment by OSM and ARRI is the largest yet for the UNEP Campaign
and this planting will symbolize the UNEP's efforts to regenerate the
world's forests. 

*The Office of Surface Mining is actively promoting reforestation where
existing forests were removed by mining and, when practical, is
encouraging forest establishment after reclamation wherever coal is
mined. One of the primary objectives of the agency is to ensure that
coal mines are restored to beneficial post mining land uses, such as
healthy, productive forestland. For more information, please visit
[http://arri.osmre.gov](https://hqexmail.osmre.gov/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://arri.osmre.gov/).*

*Governors Island National Monument is a National Park Service (NPS)
site that was established to preserve the island's historically
significant military fortifications, Castle Williams and Fort Jay.
Governors Island is a 172-acre island, of which the NPS administers the
22-acre national monument. The remaining 150 acres are administered by
the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation (GIPEC). The
island is open to the public from late spring to early fall, providing
opportunities to experience the visual and performing arts as well as to
learn about the island's role in national and international events and
its place as part of the rich history of New York Harbor. For more
information, please visit
[www.govisland.com](http://www.govisland.com/).*

*The American Chestnut Foundation is a nonprofit 501-c-3 organization
with more than 6,000 members nationwide and 15 chapters representing 17
states and a provisional chapter in West Virginia. It is headquartered
in Bennington, VT and has research facilities in Meadowview, VA as well
as a regional office in Asheville, NC. For more information, please
visit* *[www.acf.org](http://www.acf.org/).*