<div dir="ltr"><h2 style="text-align:left"><img src="https://www.bgci.org/files/UnitedStates/Gene%20Conservation%202016%20logo.jpg" alt="" height="200" width="500"></h2><h2 style="text-align:left">There will be a National workshop on Gene Conservation of Tree Species,
May 16 – 19, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois. The USDA Forest Service is a
main sponsor of this event.</h2><h2 style="text-align:left">About the Workshop</h2>
<p>The purpose of the workshop is to facilitate the exchange of the
latest information, research, and action on genetic conservation of tree
species, especially those species at risk from stressors such as
insects, diseases, drought, and development. The workshop will
highlight risk assessments that help to inform genetic conservation
strategies as well as major actions taken by organizations for long-term
conservation of tree genetic material. Using this information,
participants will develop a set of actions during the meeting that can
be used to form and strengthen partnerships, and foster collaboration to
accelerate genetic conservation efforts.</p>
<h2>Who Should Attend</h2>
<p>This workshop is open to individuals and organizations with interest
in tree genetic conservation, including state and federal resource
managers, conservation groups, botanic gardens, forest industry and
scientists from public and private institutions. This workshop will bring together a mix of land managers, conservation
and restoration practitioners, researchers, and non-governmental
organizations who share the goal of conserving tree species. In
addition, to foster collaboration and networking, time has been built
into the agenda and space will be available for affiliated
groups/chapters to hold meetings and/or promote their work.</p>
<h2>Plenary Speakers</h2>
<p><strong>Tom Tidwell</strong> (Welcome Address), Chief, USDA Forest Service, Washington DC<br><strong>Rob Mangold </strong>Pacific Northwest Research Station Director, USDA Forest Service, Portland, OR<br><strong>Kayri Havens </strong>Director, Plant Science and Conservation, Chicago Botanic Garden<strong>, </strong>Glencoe, IL<br><strong>Paul Smith </strong>Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International, London, UK<br><strong>Christopher Richards </strong>Research Plant Geneticist, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Fort Collins, CO<br><strong>Hosny El-Lakany </strong>Director, International Forestry Program, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada<br><strong>Sir Peter Crane </strong>(Banquet Speaker, “The Future of Trees”) Dean, School of Forestry & Environmental Studies, Yale University, New Haven, CT</p>
<h2>Workshop Topics</h2>
<p>The workshop will address the following topics:</p>
<ul><li>In- Situ Conservation</li><li>Ex-Situ Conservation</li><li>Identification of ecosystems/species to be conserved</li><li>Restoration of species/ecosystems of conservation concern</li><li>Tools and techniques for Tree Genetic Conservation </li></ul>
<h2>Workshop Agenda</h2>
<p><a class="" href="http://www.fs.fed.us/sites/default/files/gene-conservation-workshop-agenda-7-1-15.pdf" target="_blank">Download the agenda (PDF, 79KB)</a></p>
<p> </p>
<h2 style="text-align:center"><strong>For more details on this meeting, visit:</strong><br><a href="http://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/gene-conservation-workshop" target="_blank">http://www.fs.fed.us/about-agency/gene-conservation-workshop</a></h2></div>