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Posts Tagged Natural Resources

After GMO program hits snag, what’s the future of restoring American chestnuts?

Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on February 27, 2024

At the Meadowview research farm, these trees are part of an early generation of breeding between American and Chinese chestnuts. Researchers use selective breeding by selecting trees with strong blight resistance and characteristics similar to American chestnuts to breed later generations. (Credit: Roxy Todd / Radio IQ)

150 years ago, American Chestnut trees provided food for people and animals throughout the eastern United States as well as lumber. Then, a fungus from Asia nearly wiped them out.

Researchers have been working to bring them back, but a genetically modified chestnut program hit a snag last year. As Roxy Todd reports, this has left chestnut fans wondering, what’s next?

American Chestnuts, Natural Resources, Nature

After Disrepair and Default, Natural Bridge Becomes State Park

Posted by Nick Gilmore in Virginia's News on September 29, 2016

Natural Bridge in Rockbridge, Virginia has finally become the Commonwealth’s newest State Park (Credit: Jeff Saif / Flickr)

The distinct limestone arch known as the Natural Bridge became Virginia’s newest State Park over the weekend. The celebration concludes a tense couple of years for the conservation nonprofit that battled disrepair and default to make it happen. Jessie Knadler has the story.