Open to: All BCIA Registrants and thier guests

Join the Okanagan Branch for an engaging in-person tour of the Kalamalka Forestry Centre in Vernon, BC. This field-based session offers a unique opportunity to explore how forest regeneration, tree improvement, and climate adaptation strategies are applied in practice across British Columbia.

Led by an expert in forest genetics and climate adaptation, this tour will walk participants through the full reforestation pipeline from seed selection and breeding to plantation establishment and long-term forest health. The session will highlight how science and research are used to support resilient forests in the face of changing environmental conditions.

Topics covered include:

• Reforestation pipeline: People, processes, and systems that establish forest plantations in BC
• Tree breeding: How trees are selectively bred for improved performance
• Seed transfer: Strategies to match seed sources with current and future climate conditions
• Pest screening: Identifying pest-resistant tree varieties
• Seed orchard management: Producing high-quality seed and protecting it from pests

This event is ideal for agrologists and natural resource professionals interested in forest management, climate change adaptation, and applied research in ecosystem resilience.

Presenter

Greg O’Neill, PhD, RPF

Climate Change Adaptation Scientist, Office of the Chief Forester, Forest Improvement and Research Management Branch. Greg O’Neill is a leading expert in forest genetics and climate adaptation, with extensive experience in developing strategies to ensure the long-term productivity and resilience of BC’s forests.