NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry (TDF) is once again calling on citizens across the state to lend a hand in restoring one of Tennessee’s most highly valued native trees — the white oak.

The Tennessee White Oak Initiative, an acorn collection project, is a cooperative effort among TDF, TDF’s East Tennessee Nursery, the University of Tennessee Extension, and the Tennessee Forestry Association.

“This initiative is part of a large-scale effort to address the dropping rates of white oak regrowth in Tennessee’s forests,” State Forester Heather Slayton said. “White oaks are a critical part of Tennessee’s forests and play an invaluable role in our ecosystems and economies. What is unique about this particular initiative is that it is open to everyone - you don’t have to own wooded land to help collect acorns that will become the giant oaks of the future.”

Each fall, the East Tennessee Nursery in Polk County grows thousands of white oak seedlings that supplement natural regeneration in forests statewide. However, in recent years, seed suppliers have struggled to meet the nursery’s demand. Now in its fifth year, the acorn collection project helps close that gap by sourcing acorns directly from local trees — often yielding hardier, higher-quality seedlings.

TDF invites individuals, families, civic organizations, youth groups, and landowners to take part in this hands-on conservation effort. Participants can learn how to identify, collect, and deliver acorns by visiting www.tnforestry.com/white-oak-acorn-collection. The collection season runs through Nov. 15.