Forest Gene Conservation Association

The Forest Gene Conservation Association (FGCA) carries out work in three main program areas in southcentral Ontario

Biologically Appropriate Reforestation

FGCA runs a seed source certification program, called Ontario's Natural Selections, and certifies seed collectors who have taken the seed collector workshops at the Ontario Tree Seed Plant. Reforestation initiatives include working with Ontario Forestry Association to incorporate seed source and supply concerns into their Trees Ontario program, publishing reports on tree nursery stock grown from appropriate seed sources, and managing an MNR Southcentral Ontario Stewardship seed bank. FGCA also serves SFLs and seedling growers in the region through its SeedWhere protocol to track movement of seed and growing stock.

Species Conservation

FGCA plays an active role in conservation and recovery efforts for species at risk. Preparing reports for COSEWIC on butternut, reviewing recovery plans for chestnut, assisting the Arboretum's program to archive elms that have resisted Dutch Elm disease, conserving the most northerly shagbark hickory population, and working towards developing a conservation assessment matrix to assess the status of tree species, are examples of this group's efforts.

Tree Improvement and Genetic Studies

Two species are the subjects of FGCA's tree improvement efforts, white pine and hybrid poplar.

White pine genecology tests are being carried out to test whether seed movement to more northerly zones will be limited by hardiness. FGCA is preparing seed movement guidelines for white pine based on productivity and conservation of genetic diversity, reports on expected effects of climate change on seed movement, and modifying seed zones for white pine.
FGCA distributes A Growers Guide to Hybrid Poplar (Boysen and Strobl 1991) and a video A Crop For You?, also 1991, and works with the Eastern Ontario Model Forest to inventory existing information on southern Ontario's hybrid poplar information and genetic material (test sites and plantations).

FGCA's membership

Unlike the two northern associations, FGCA members include a large number of organizations, and a wide variety. The forest industry, seedling growers and tree nurseries, conservation authorities, forestry associations, first nations, conservation groups, are all represented, and individuals may also be members. This diversity is reflected in the diverse projects and activities of the Association.