The annual extension meeting of the Forest Genetics Council's (FGC) Interior Technical Advisory Committee (ITAC) will be held at the Marriott Hotel on Wednesday, January 22 and the morning of Thursday, January 23, 2020. This year's meeting is 1.5 days due to # of topics and interest. Group booking rate of $110.00/night are available until January 10th, 2020 by phone 250-260-7829 or the group booking link in the event notice.

This annual event is an excellent forum for BC's forest genetic's scientists, tree seed producers and managers, and seed users to share information, and discuss program needs and priorities.

This year’s meeting will include updates on forest genetics research (e.g. tree breeding), climate-based seed transfer (CBST), climate change informed species selection, current work in forest health, and current and future seed supply and demand.

Refreshements and lunch will be provided.

ITAC Extension Meeting – January 22 & 23, 2020

Location: Fairfield by Marriott, 5300 Anderson Way, Vernon, BC V1T 9V2

WEDNESDAY: January 22, 2020

8:00 Coffee and snacks

8:30 Welcome, Introductions and Agenda

8:45 Tree Seed Centre update, Dave Kolotelo (FLNR)

9:05 Climate Change Informed Species Selection Decision Aid, Pam Dykstra(FLNR)

9:25 Streamlined seed planning using CBST, TBA

9:45 Screening for Forest Health - program update, Ward Strong (FLNR)

10:05 Coffee Break

10:30 Drought tolerance selection with tree ring analysis, Jaime Azcona (U of A)

11:00 Seed orchard health program update, Geoff Bradley (FLNR)

11:20 Climate Change Adaptation program update, Greg O’Neill (FLNR)

11:50 Minor species orchard update - Bl, Yc, & Ep, Stephen Joyce (FLNR)

12:00 Lunch

12:50 Py and Cw breeding program update; orchard design, Marie Vance (FLNR)

1:20 Sx, Lw, and Fdi breeding program update, Trevor Doerksen (FLNR)

2:00 Whitebark and Limber Pine Seed Orchard Summary, Natalie Stafl (Parks Canada)& Ward Strong (FLNR)

2:30 Conservation Status of BC’s native trees; ClimateNA update, Tongli Wang (UBC)

3:00 Coffee Break

3:30 75 Break-out session (25 minutes each – choose 3)

• SPAR live – what SPAR can do for you, Sabina Donnelly (FLNR)

• Orchard pest management tools - When? Where? How?, Geoff Bradley (FLNR)

• Climate Change Informed Species Selection – live, Pam Dykstra (FLNR)

• ClimateBC live, Tongli Wang (UBC)

• New tree ID label options for orchards and field tests, Trevor Doerksen (FLNR)

• CBST live – Seedlot Selection Tool, Greg O’Neill (FLNR)

4:45 Close

5:00 Optional: X-country skiing and snowshoeing, Greg O’Neill (FLNR)

Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre

Trail pass + rentals = $14 + taxes. Return 7:00.

Meet in lobby for rides

Thursday, January 23, 2020

8:00 Coffee and snacks

8:30 Recap of yesterday, Agenda for today, ITAC Chair

8:40 Pli and Pw breeding program update, Nick Ukrainetz (FLNR)

9:10 Population variation for adaptation traits in Douglas-fir, Rafael Candido Ribeiro (UBC)

9:35 Soil mapping and applications in reforestation, Chuck Bulmer (FLNR)

10:00 Coffee Break

10:30 Drought mapping and drought tool, Hardy Griesbauer (FLNR)

11:00 Forecasting Seedling Needs to 2049 Brian Barber (FGC), & Kat Gunion (ForSite Consulting)

11:30 Closing Remarks and Adjourn, ITAC Chair

ITAC Business Meeting for ITAC Members to follow lunch on Thurs. Jan 23.