The USDA just approved SilvaBio's defective GMO chestnut! Take action NOW to keep our forests wild and free from these disastrous trees!
On August 27, 2026, USDA-APHIS granted “nonregulated status” to the genetically engineered D54 American chestnut tree — clearing the way for its release into wild forests with no monitoring or oversight.
This was done despite the tree’s major defects:
- the accidental deletion of an important gene,
- high mortality rates,
- poor growth
- unreliable blight resistance.
- a research mix-up causing the wrong tree to be tested for years.
The American Chestnut Foundation — the project’s own primary research partner — withdrew its support stating that the tree “should not be distributed or propagated beyond permitted sites.”
Releasing a fertile, pollen-producing, genetically engineered tree into wild forests is irreversible.
Once it spreads into native chestnut populations, there is no way to undo the genetic contamination.
Take Action Now! Tell the officials and companies who made this happen that you will not stand by while they desecrate our wild forests with their manufactured tree clones.
Tell those who can still make a difference that this must be stopped!
WHO TO CONTACT RIGHT NOW:
1) SilvaBio (the company that plans to clone and sell millions of these trees)
Contact: Michael Bloom, Founder & CEO
Email: in**@******io.com Please cc: in**@******************gy.org
(ask that your message be forwarded to him directly.)
2) SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (developed the defective tree)
Joanie (Joanne M.) Mahoney, Esq., President
Phone: (315) 470-6681
Mail: SUNY-ESF, Office of the President, 206 Bray Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210
SUNY-ESF Press Office: Karen B. Moore, Associate Director of Communications, at (315) 470-6647 or kb*****@*sf.edu Please cc: in**@******************gy.org
3) USDA-APHIS Biotechnology Regulatory Services (approved the tree despite its bad track record)
Dr. Donna Lalli, Deputy Administrator
Kelly Moore, APHIS Administrator
Phone: (301) 851-3877
Email: bi**********@**da.gov Please cc: in**@******************gy.org
5) Secretary Brooke Rollins, USDA
Web form only: usda.gov/contactsecretary
6) Contact members of the House Ag committee
– Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Chair, House Agricultural Committee: (202) 225-5121 / thompson.house.gov/contact
– Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), Ranking Member: (202) 225-2271 / craig.house.gov/contact
– Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Chair, Senate Ag Committee: (202) 224-2035 / boozman.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/contact
– Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ranking Member: (202) 224-3244 / klobuchar.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-amy
30-SECOND PHONE SCRIPT
Tell them in your own words why this decision is a disaster, or use the script below to get started.
“Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I’m calling to express my [strong opposition to/ outrage regarding] USDA’s decision to deregulate the Darling 54 genetically engineered American chestnut tree.
This tree has a documented genetic defect from an accidental deletion of the SAL1 gene, and researchers spent years testing the wrong tree entirely. Even the project’s own research partner, The American Chestnut Foundation, withdrew its support in 2023 and stated the tree should not be distributed or propagated.
Releasing a genetically engineered, pollen-producing tree into wild forests is irreversible.
You must immediately halt distribution and sale of this defective tree.
EMAIL / WEB-FORM MESSAGE TEMPLATE
Subject: Reverse the Darling 54 GE Chestnut Decision now
Tell them in your own words why this decision is a disaster, or use the template below to get started.
Dear [XX]
I am writing to demand the USDA-APHIS’s August 2026 decision granting nonregulated status to the genetically engineered Darling 54 American chestnut tree be immediately stopped.
This decision was made despite serious, well-documented problems with the tree: an accidental deletion of the SAL1 gene causing high mortality and unreliable blight resistance, a research mix-up in which the wrong tree was tested for years, and the withdrawal of support in late 2023 by The American Chestnut Foundation — the project’s own primary research partner — which concluded the tree “should not be distributed or propagated beyond permitted sites.”
Releasing a fertile, genetically engineered tree into wild forests is irreversible. Once its pollen spreads into native chestnut populations, there is no way to undo the genetic contamination. This sets a dangerous precedent for future GE plant releases into natural ecosystems.
You must immediately halt distribution and sale of this defective tree.
Sincerely,
[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR CITY, STATE]
Please take five minutes today to make at least one call and send at least one email or web-form message. Forward this to a friend who cares about our forests.
