The CT Chapter has been the recipient of two generous grants which provided for the fencing and operational support of the American chestnut research orchard at Great Mountain Forest. Each grant was for $5000, totaling $10,000 and were from organizations which requested anonymity. The grants were restricted for use at the Great Mountain Forest Orchard.

The completed orchard fencing is a nine wire electric fence with the top wire at eight feet in height. This design differs from the solid lock link galvanized or polyethylene fences we're installed at other orchard locations as it is combines physical barrier with behavior modification. It has already been observed to modify the behavior of the significant deer population in the area. The orchard enclosure has maximized the area for planting and should allow planting of one or more additional lines.

Just completed orchard fencing at Great Mountain Forest - Photo taken by Bill Adamsen
Click on photo for larger view.

In addition to the fencing, the funding provided for continued operational support in the form of a summer orchard management internship. This has been extended to a (former) student from the Housatonic Valley Regional High School.

Thanks are due to the Staff at Great Mountain Forest Corporation (Jody Bronson and Star Childs) for providing support and the time to review plans and work with Falls Village Zoning to secure necessary approvals. Thanks goes out to CT-TACF Board Member Ellery Sinclair for coordinating the applications and construction.