Erin Victorson is currently a Research Specialist in the UT Tree Improvement Program and is responsible for developing the Tennessee Wild Tree Seed Collection network. She locates naturally occurring trees of various species, which will produce copious seed crops. Seeds from these trees are taken to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s East Tennessee State Nursery for growing. The resulting seedlings are available to Tennessee landowners for reforestation, forest enrichment, and other planting purposes. Erin assists with all aspects of the seed collection process, ranging from surveying for targeted tree species, to coordinating collection with landowners. She also is responsible for initial processing and storage of the seeds. 

Ms. Victorson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from Maryville College in Maryville TN, in 2023. Her most valuable undergraduate experiences include several internships where she worked for a non-profit sustainable produce farm that specializes in the use of aquaponics to grow organic fruits and vegetables. Additionally, she interned as a field technician for the Department of Natural Sciences at her college where she cared for and measured 600 hybrid American chestnut trees during their first growing season. Erin spends most of her time outdoors where she hikes and camps as much as possible.