Restoring Butternut Trees for Forest Health

Restore a Rare Tree With Your Outdoor Adventures

Butternut trees are disappearing from eastern forests. In response, Adventure Scientists has partnered with leading researchers to find the rare remaining trees, and we need outdoor enthusiasts like you to help find and restore a species that forest ecosystems depend on.

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Butternut trees are a naturally rare, endangered species that support wildlife and contribute to ecosystem diversity, but populations have declined drastically due to a lethal disease: butternut canker. Most remaining trees are infected, but a small number are somehow still thriving. Finding and studying these disease-resistant trees is critical to restoring them. That’s why the Morton Arboretum and Purdue University have partnered with Adventure Scientists for a butternut blitz, locating and collecting leaf samples from potential disease-resistant trees. This important work is crucial for the US Forest Service’s reforestation efforts.

Why Butternut Trees Matter

Butternut trees are a naturally rare species that support wildlife and contribute to ecosystem diversity, but populations have declined drastically due to a lethal disease: butternut canker. Most remaining trees are infected, but a small number are somehow still thriving. Finding and studying these disease-resistant trees is critical to restoring them. That’s why the Morton Arboretum and Purdue University have partnered with Adventure Scientists to locate and collect leaflet samples from potential disease-resistant trees. This important work is crucial for the US Forest Service’s reforestation efforts.

Your sample could be the key for future, thriving forests.

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What You Will Do:

 

Trained volunteers will:

Explore rarely visited National and State Forest trails

Navigate to an elusive butternut tree for an environmental scavenger hunt based on a previously recorded sighting

Search for healthy, never-before-documented butternut trees nearby to collect leaf samples for DNA analysis.

Help reforestation efforts of the rare butternut tree.

Where Can You Volunteer to Protect Butternut Trees?

 Volunteers are needed across a limited number of forests in the eastern United States, where butternut trees still persist and research gaps remain. Project locations span national and state forests (over 1000 acres in size) in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Wisconsin, and West Virginia.

Butternut trees grow along streams and rocky hillsides. Once trained, you will receive access to butternut tree locations and be able to choose an area you’re comfortable with.

Because butternut trees are rare, only a few volunteers are needed for each forest. If you’re located in one of the areas of suspected butternut, sign-up now! Opportunities are limited, and each tree must be found before Fall; green leaves are crucial when collecting samples.

Sign-up now to make an incredibly large impact for forest conservation.

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Part of a Larger Forest Health Effort

Butternut tree conservation efforts are part of Adventure Scientists’ broader work to protect threatened tree species and forest health.

Interested in joining a second tree health project? For thru-hikers and easy day hike adventures for science, join us to Save American Beech Trees.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Protecting Butternut Trees for Forest Conservation

What is a butternut tree, and why is it important?
Butternut trees (Juglans cinerea) are a rare native tree species that support wildlife, contribute to forest biodiversity, and hold cultural and historical significance. Today, most remaining trees are threatened by disease, making conservation efforts urgent.
Where can I volunteer to find and protect butternut trees?
Volunteers are needed in large State and National Forests across the eastern United States, including (but not limited to!) the Allegheny National Forest (PA), Monongahela National Forest (WV), Cherokee National Forest (TN), Daniel Boone National Forest (KY), Hoosier National Forest (IN), Huron-Manistee National Forest (MI), Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest (WI), Ozark and Ouachita National Forests (AR), and Bankhead National Forest (AL). A small number of additional opportunities may be available in Missouri, Ohio, North Carolina, and New Hampshire. Participation is intentionally limited by location to ensure high-quality, well-distributed data across priority areas.
Can I volunteer while hiking or backpacking?
Yes! This project is a great way to make an impact for conservation while adventuring. This includes collecting data while you’re hiking, backpacking, and trail running in National and State Forests and want your trip to contribute to conservation. Many volunteers participate during trips they’re already planning, including long day hikes, weekend backpacking trips, and section hikes through forest lands.
Does this project overlap with the Appalachian Trail or other major trails?
Some priority forests in this project (including Monongahela National Forest (WV), Cherokee National Forest (TN), and Pisgah-adjacent regions in North Carolina) are near or intersect major long-distance hiking corridors, such as the Appalachian Trail. We especially encourage those who are embarking on long-distance hikes to join us and turn their incredible adventure into impactful conservation.
Can I bring a friend to find butternut trees?
Adventure buddies are welcome! We encourage you to have your friend(s) sign up so they can join you. Share this webpage with your friends to apply today!
What skills are required for outdoor volunteers?
Butternut trees grow along streams and rocky hillsides and may take patience to find. They look similar to other variations of trees, so attention to detail will be important. A level of physical fitness and safety awareness are always important when adventuring outdoors.
How much time does volunteering require?
Time commitment is flexible and depends on your availability and location. Volunteers can plan a trip around the project or participate during trips they’re already planning, whether that’s a day hike or a longer outdoor adventure.
What training do volunteers receive?
Training is online and easy to access for all volunteers. It covers project goals, how to identify butternut trees, trip-planning resources, and data-collection procedures. It is free to participate, and all equipment will be provided, as well as exclusive access to office hours with Adventure Scientists staff.
Why are volunteer opportunities limited?
Butternut trees are naturally rare, and researchers need samples spread across a wide geographic range. Access to equipment and field opportunities is limited, which means volunteer opportunities may be as well. We intentionally activate highly engaged sign-ups who want to contribute meaningful scientific data. This helps ensure that every volunteer’s efforts can directly support conservation outcomes. To increase your chances of getting picked, don’t wait – sign-up now! For additional opportunities to help restore forests, check out our Saving American Beech Tree project.
I haven’t been activated, but still want to make an impact. What can I do?
We want you too! Though spots may be limited for our butternut health research, we have additional tree health projects in the eastern US. Check out our Saving American Beech Tree opportunity here! You can also donate to support this project and spread the word through your contacts and outlets to help support forest conservation.
Do I need a science or forestry background to participate?
No! This project is designed for outdoor enthusiasts and environmentalists of all kinds – no prior experience needed. All volunteers will receive a free, short online training that will teach you how to identify butternut trees and collect high-quality data, and the Adventure Scientists team will be available for ongoing questions and support as needed.

Get Involved

Ready to help protect the forests you love?

Finding these elusive trees is crucial to conservation for the future of this species. Your time outdoors can affect real conservation outcomes.

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Join Additional Forest Health Projects:

Saving American Beech Trees to Preserve Eastern US Forests

Volunteer collects a sample of an American Beech leaf for reforestation efforts

Though beech is abundant, healthy beech trees are becoming increasingly rare. Fast-spreading diseases and a changing climate place intense stress on a tree that forests depend on.

Beech is easy to find along National and State Forest trails. Outdoor explorers in Alabama, Arkansas, the Florida panhandle, Indiana, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, east Texas, eastern Wisconsin, and West Virginia will:

    • Apply to explore a National or State Forest over 1000 acres in size
    • When activated, search and locate healthy beech trees
    • If applicable, collect leaf samples from healthy American Beech trees
    • Help guide forest restoration efforts for generations to come

Interested? If you’re in an applicable, overlapping state, you can take part in American Beech and Butternut Tree projects at the same time!

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