WELCOME TO FOREST GENETICS 2023 - VERNON!

July 10 - 13, 2023
Prestige Vernon Lodge
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada

The Western Forest Genetics Association (WFGA) and the Canadian Forest Genetics Association/ l’Association canadienne de génétique forestière (CFGA) can’t wait to see you at Forest Genetics 2023: Discovery & Innovation in Changing Climates in Vernon, BC, July 10-14, 2023.

Both organizations have a long history of supporting cutting-edge forest genetics research. The CFGA hosted its first meeting in 1937 and the WFGA was founded in 1955. They are committed to supporting students by providing cash awards for the best oral and poster presentations. The CFGA also sponsors students to attend from universities across Canada.

The conference will include two days of science and technical talks, poster sessions and a one-day field tour. Always the highlight of any conference, there will be a banquet at a local winery to showcase the great food and wine of the BC Okanagan Valley. We are also considering an optional post-conference tour. The conference will be preceded by a CFGA Tree Seed Working Group meeting. An optional post-conference field tour will take place on Friday July 14.

Scientists, students and practitioners will present oral and poster presentations offering an exciting program. See the Program page for a full list of sessions which relate to:

• Collection and analysis of progeny test data
• Genetic conservation
• Seed orchard design and management
• Seed transfer and provenance test analyses
• Interdisciplinary research
• Forest health
• Seed research and propagation of seedlings
• Genomic tools
• Population and quantitative genomics
• Other forest genetics related topics

Cash prizes will be awarded for the best student (graduate or PhD candidate) oral and poster presentations. See the WFGA and CFGA webpages for more information. The CFGA also offers travel awards to undergraduate students attending a Canadian university. See details here. Deadline for travel award applications is May 15, 2023.

Vernon is the location of the Kalamalka Forestry Centre which is the centre of operations for the British Columbia provincial orchard and tree breeding programs east of the Coastal Mountains. There are several seed orchards and forest genetics research trials near town making it the perfect location for a forest genetics conference.

The North Okanagan Valley is known for its hot summer clime, outdoor recreation opportunities, fruit orchards and vineyards. The conference will take place at the Prestige Vernon Lodge, whose amenities include a beautiful atrium with a creek passing through. See the Accommodations webpage for rooms and rates.

We can’t wait to welcome you to the sunny Okanagan!