Volunteers in Tennessee have a new opportunity to engage with their natural surroundings, thanks to an initiative seeking their help in collecting white oak acorns. The Tennessee White Oak Initiative, as announced by the Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry, is a collaboration that also includes the TDF’s East Tennessee Nursery, the University of Tennessee Extension, and the Tennessee Forestry Association, which is putting forth an effort to gather these acorns for a cause crucial to the state's ecosystem and economy.
In an urgent call to action, State Forester Heather Slayton emphasized the significance of white oaks to the local environment. "White oaks are a critical element of Tennessee’s forests," she stated in a press release. "The roles they play in our ecosystems and economy are invaluable, which is why it is so distressing to see the dropping rates of white oak regrowth in our forests."
Those interested in participating in the White Oak Acorn Collection should visit www.tnforestry.com/white-oak-acorn-collection between October 15 and November 15, 2024. For help identifying trees and collecting acorns, contact your local TDF area forester at www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests/staff.html. The Tennessee Division of Forestry promotes responsible forest use, offering services to landowners, supporting forest health, and fighting wildfires. More info at www.tn.gov/agriculture/forests, as detailed by the Department of Agriculture.
