Maximizing the Winter Months With New Approaches, New Tools and Strategies in the Coming Year
As we head into 2025, the Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA) is firing on all cylinders! Our grafting work is just days away as we prepare to collect scion material and get our grafting facility in Kemptville ready for the upcoming work with ash, butternut, spruce and pine. The grafting step is critical as we continue our efforts to preserve and propagate important genetic material for tree species recovery and tree improvement programs in Ontario.
In addition to our grafting efforts, we are in the thick of developing a comprehensive online learning platform to support our nation-wide Certified Seed Collector course. This initiative supports not only the 2 Billion Tree Program but also the forest industry, ultimately to train the next generation of seed collectors, enhance seed collection practices and contribute positively to tree seed banks. As we refine this platform, we aim to increase accessibility and provide valuable training to seed collectors everywhere.
Our field season preparation is also in full swing, with efforts focused on assessing potentially tolerant Butternut and Black Ash trees against the respective diseases and pests that threaten them. These efforts are an essential part of conserving what healthy populations remain through the FGCA archiving and recovery programs. Over the past few months, critical conversations with the scientific community have motivated some important new projects and initiatives in 2025.
We’re also excited to be building our new 5-year strategy, set to begin April 1, 2025. This strategy will guide our work until 2030, ensuring resilience, collaboration and innovation as we work to ensure that genetic diversity is recognized and protected as the foundation of a resilient forested landscape. If you are not a member now is the time to join, there is so much we have to learn together.
Needless to say, with only this little tidbit of information, you can see we are maximizing our time this winter to advance our work in Species Conservation, Seed and Climate Change, and we are buzzing with excitement about what else is to come in 2025!
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