Tom Klak (geography & environmental restoration)

<p><a href="https://www.une.edu/people/thomas-klak" target="_blank">Tom Klak</a> is a geographer who's recent work has focused on the restoration of the American chestnut tree. Tom is part of a team of researchers who is working on reviving the chestnut through a transgenic process, so that it can survive the fungus that decimated (and all but eradicated) chestnuts when it was accidentally introduced in the U.S. in 1904. </p><p>If you have information about a chestnut tree where you live or roam, please feel free to reach out to Tom via email (tklak@une.edu). You can also learn more about the project(s) to restore the American chestnut tree at the American Chestnut Foundation (https://acf.org/).</p><p>One note about the recording: you'll hear more than a few birds in the background. We kept them in, because it is both delightful and a truthful representation of Tom and part of what drives his work. </p><p>~~~~~~</p><p>The MSF team is ramping up for March 2022 and the return of the Maine Science Festival. We'll have more details and information in our next episode. Until then, you can get excited about the MSF (and help support us!) by getting your own themed MSF t-shirt, mug, or even MSF Trading Cards. All are available on our <a href="https://maine-science-festival.myshopify.com/" target="_blank">store</a>, available at our website (<a href="https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/" target="_blank">mainesciencefestival.org</a>).</p><p>~~~~~~</p><p>The <a href="https://www.mainesciencefestival.org/podcast" target="_blank">Maine Science Podcast</a> is a production of the Maine Science Festival. It was recorded at Discovery Studios, at the Maine Discovery Museum, in Bangor, ME. Edited and produced by Kate Dickerson; production support by Maranda Bouchard and social media support from Next Media. </p><p>The <i>Discover Maine</i> theme was composed and performed by Nick Parker. </p><p> </p><p>If you want to support the Maine Science Podcast and/or the Maine Science Festival, you can do so at our website <a href="https:/