Asheville, NC- The American Chestnut Foundation (TACF) recently partnered with Charles D. Owen Middle School (OMS) in Swannanoa as part of the school’s Natural Impact Initiative (NII), the goal of which is to connect students to their natural Appalachian heritage through outdoor ecological sites designed for exploratory learning. Students and teachers worked with TACF scientists and volunteers to begin installation of a germplasm conservation orchard located behind the school.