This conference was organised by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service, the USDA Forest Service, Western Forestry and Conservation Association, Morton Arboretum, Chicago Botanic Garden, the American Public Gardens Association and BGCI. The purpose of the workshop was to bring together foresters and botanic garden professionals to discuss common interests in tree species conservation, and to explore the opportunities for working together applying interdisciplinary data, knowledge and skills. The focus was on the genetic conservation of tree species, especially those species at risk from stressors such as insects, diseases, drought, and development. The workshop highlighted 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.
The workshop comprised sessions on conservation strategies, pest and pathogen resistance, genetic conservation, red listing, innovative approaches for assessing and prioritising tree species and populations for gene conservation, tools for tree genetic conservation, conservation program case studies, seed collections, ex situ conservation and science in support of conservation. The meeting was concluded with breakout group workshops on in situ genetic conservation, ex situ genetic conservation and restoration of species and ecosystems.
