Building Resilience Through Genetic Resource Management and Collective Action

Highlights from Forest Genetics 2025

Forest Genetics 2025 was held in Ottawa from August 11–15 and was a celebration of collaboration, innovation, and science!

Hosted by the Forest Gene Conservation Association and Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, the event opened with a joint Tree Seed Working Group and Canadian Tree Nursery Association workshop, Growing Resilience: The Power of Seeds and Seedlings, followed by a welcome reception.

Over two full conference days, participants from across Canada, the US, and beyond explored cutting-edge research—from genomic selection, molecular adaptation, and climate-smart traits to resistance breeding, epigenetic regulation, and assisted migration tools. Engaging talks and poster sessions showcased new approaches to drought resilience, genomics-driven monitoring, and climate change “winners and losers,” keeping discussion lively and inspiring collaboration.

Networking breaks and the evening banquet provided more than just great food and views of Ottawa—they sparked new connections and strengthened community ties. A sincere thank-you goes to our generous sponsors, whose support made this event both possible and impactful.

The week also featured a field tour of the Petawawa Research Forest and wrapped up with an optional visit to Ferguson Tree Nursery, offering a chance to see research concepts in action.

With strong student participation—especially from Laval, Lakehead and Carleton Universities—impressive turnout despite travel and budget challenges, and robust sponsor support from Project FastTRAC II, Genome Canada, Genome Quebec, NRCan, Ontario’s MNR, and others, the conference left a lasting mark. Collaborative conversations sparked at the event continue to grow, showing just how much momentum this community carries forward.

Forest Genetics 2025 truly embodied its theme: Building Resilience Through Genetic Resource Management and Collective Action. The forest’s future looks bright with so many passionate practitioners, researchers, and students working together to meet today’s challenges and tomorrow’s opportunities.