upcoming events
June 23rd, 2025
Pre-Workshops
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Huck Life Sciences Building
Opening Event
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Penn State Arboretum, 126 Palmer Museum of Art
June 24th, 2025
Conference Check-In
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Huck Life Sciences Building
All Day Sessions
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Huck Life Sciences Building
June 25th, 2025
Morning Sessions
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Huck Life Sciences Building
Field Trips
June 26th, 2025
All Day Sessions
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Huck Life Sciences Building
Afternoon Poster Session
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Huck Life Sciences Building
Banquet
June 27th, 2025
Morning Sessions
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Huck Life Sciences Building
Keynote Speakers
Dr. Stephen Keller
Associate Professor, University of Vermont
Dr. Jessica A. Savage
Associate Professor & Associate Department Head of Biology, University of Minnesota
Dr. Catarina Villari
Associate Professor & Co-Director – Southern Pine Health Research Cooperative, University of Georgia
Dr. Alayna Mead
Postdoctoral Fellow, Pennsylvania State University
Dr. Mats Berlin
Researcher, SkogForsk – The Forestry Research Institute of Sweden
Dr. Richard Buggs
Senior Research Leader, Royal Botanic Gardens Kew & Professor, Queen Mary University of London
Careers in Forest Genetics Panel
Dr. Mengjun Shu
R&D Associate Staff Member in the Bio-sciences Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Dr. Meg Staton
Associate Professor at University of Tennessee
Sara Fern Fitzsimmons
Chief Conservation Officer at The American Chestnut Foundation
Dr. Nathalie Isabel
Research Scientist at Laurentian Forestry Centre in Canada
Dr. Alan T. Whittemore
Research Botanist at U.S National Arboretum
Pre-Workshops
TreeSnap/TreeSnapPlots
Organizers: Meg Staton, Noah Caldwell, Chance Stribling – University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Location & Time: 9-10am
Engaging the public in research enhances forest projects by broadening geographical scope, providing more frequent data points, and enabling early detection of forest health issues. To integrate non-professional scientists, an easy-to-use platform is essential for guiding new participants. We have created mobile and web applications to facilitate public science, focusing on two case studies. TreeSnap is a mobile app that encourages the public to scout for trees affected by pests and diseases, such as ash, chestnut, hemlock, and elm. Volunteers can use the free app to submit GPS locations, images, and traits relevant to tree research. We enhance data utility by incorporating customized questions for each species, allowing scientists to sort, filter trees, and access user observations on the TreeSnap website. With over 2,000 active users and over 20,000 tagged trees, TreeSnap aids scientists in identifying trees that may have genetic resistance. We are also developing a new software system for plot monitoring, enabling participants to report on tree survival and health over the years, with a focus on hemlock species threatened by hemlock woolly adelgid. Our six years of experience in creating user-friendly apps for forest research demonstrates that effective software fosters valuable data and participant satisfaction.
Capacity: All Welcome
North American Quantitative Genetics
Organizer: Fikret Isik, NC State University
Location & Time: 1-5pm, Forest Resources Building
Description: The Forest Genetics Conference 2025 will include a pre-conference workshop on quantitative genetics. Attendance is limited to 40 participants, and the organizers reserve the right to cancel the workshop if the minimum number of 15 participants is not met. This workshop will provide a platform for geneticists and breeders to exchange ideas regarding the implications of quantitative genetics in managing forest genetic resources and breeding. Key topics will include using DNA markers for pedigree quality control and a pilot project on genomic prediction involving a multi-generational loblolly pine population in the NC State University Tree Improvement Program.
Capacity: 40 people
CartograPlant/TreeGenes
Organizers: Meghan Myles, Brandon Lind, Jill Wegrzyn – University of Connecticut
Location & Time: 10-12pm
Description: Combining well annotated genomics datasets can provide critical insights for plant populations.CartograPlant (cartograplant.org) is an open-source, map-based web application that integrates genotype, phenotype, and environmental data from multiple sources. Built on the Tripal platform, CartograPlant allows users to easily filter, analyze, and visualize georeferenced plant populations. Through the Tripal Plant Popgen Submit Pipeline (TPPS), researchers can submit standardized data with metadata following FAIR principles. CartograPlant connects the TreeSnap mobile application to enable field to analysis connections. CartograPlant hosts over 900 environmental layers, supporting complex meta-analyses, including diversity estimates, population structure assessments, and association mapping. Analysis is enabled through high-performance computing and reproducible workflows paired with interactive visuals in NextFlow.
Capacity: All Welcome
Eastern Seed Zone Forum
Organizer: Carrie Pike – USDA Forest Service
Location & Time: 1-4pm, Forest Resources Building
The Eastern Seed Zone Forum will meet on Monday afternoon to discuss changes to the Eastern Seed Zone map to accommodate revised Plant Hardiness Zones. We will discuss utilization of the seed zones for sourcing seed for trees and plants and we welcome up to 4 presenters to showcase projects that have incorporated the seed zones to test their use for seed transfer. Lastly, we will use this forum to receive input on deliverables to make the eastern seed zones more accessible to potential users.
Capacity: 52 people
Workshops
Coming Soon
Field Trips
The four track options for the WFGS/NFGA/SFTIC joint meeting have been created to examine the full gamut and application of genetics in forests. Participants can evaluate species diversity and the significance of ex situ germplasm collections for common garden studies, essential for long-term conservation. The tour will cover nursery operations aimed at seedling propagation and reintroduction strategies, emphasizing the importance of restoring native populations. Additionally, discover the ongoing research into the introgression of pest and disease resistance traits, crucial for enhancing forest resilience against invasive species. Engage with experts to deepen your understanding of these vital ecological processes.
Track 1: Campus
Research groups at Penn State University are working on various species-specific initiatives highlighting the critical role of genetic diversity in ecosystem restoration efforts. The Black Walnut Provenance Study, established in 1980, investigates climate change effects on tree populations. Concurrently, American chestnut trials focus on germplasm conservation and developing disease resistance through hybrid breeding and genetic engineering. The “PopUp Poplar” program features a common garden of 100 poplar clones, highlighting genetic diversity’s role in adapting to climatic changes. Additionally, a visit to the devastated green and white ash provenance trial alongside new black ash plantings reveals insights into the interplay of genetic and environmental factors in climate adaptation and resistance to the emerald ash borer (EAB).
Walking Expectations: Light walking, no more than 250 feet at a time, over slightly uneven but flat terrain can be expected. Trucks will be provided for those who would prefer to ride.
Track 2: Penn Nursery and Rothrock Forest
Two key highlights of this track include a visit to large, treated eastern hemlock as well as a disjunctive population of red spruce at a fen wetland, a unique case study in genetic adaptation to climate variability. Pennsylvania DCNR’s Mira Lloyd Dock Resource Conservation Center encompasses Penn Nursery (established 1922) and operational aspects of a forest tree nursery including seed cleaning, seedling processing, and sign and picnic table construction operation. Participants will explore the diverse work occurring in the 40+ acres of nursery seedling beds, seed orchards, and provenance trials for species such as white pine, shortleaf pine, white oak, red oak, and American chestnut. From seed orchard establishment, seed sourcing and more, this track offers a comprehensive exploration of how genetics informs sustainable forestry practices.
Walking Expectations: At the nursery, light walking, no more than 250 feet at a time, over slightly uneven but flat terrain can be expected. Trucks can be provided at Penn Nursery for those who would prefer to ride. At the red spruce/hemlock stop, a walk along a trail with uneven footing of 0.5 miles will occur. A few smaller red spruce can be viewed from the roadside if mobility is a concern.
Track 3: Shavers Creek / Stone Valley
Participants will journey to two of Penn State University’s premiere facilities – Shaver’s Creek Environmental Center and the Stone Valley Experimental Forest – to engage with studies examining species adaptation, resilience, and their interaction with broad-scale abiotic conditions. At Shaver’s Creek, tour fenced common gardens focusing on non-timber forest products (NTFPs), especially that of a newly-discovered ramp species. The tour will also include the Shale Hills Critical Zone Observatory, where attendees will learn about critical zone studies, Pennsylvania’s geology, and climate measurement equipment. Moving on, the group will observe the work of the Kaye Forest Dynamic Lab which has established common garden experiments using assisted migration. The trip will conclude at Musser Gap, highlighting restoration efforts and non-timber forest products.
Walking Expectations: Light walking, no more than 250 feet at a time, over crushed gravel walkways with very slight incline. To view climate measurement equipment will require a short walk up a steep incline. A UTV may be available to assist those with mobility concerns.
Track 4: Campus / Penn Nursery Combo
Take a hybrid tour of sites between both the Penn State campus and Penn Nursery, enjoying slightly condensed versions of the two. This combined track integrates the genetic research conducted on campus with the practical applications at Penn Nursery. Participants will explore the genetic diversity of tree species in the Arboretum at Penn State, including American chestnut and poplar, while learning about nursery practices that enhance genetic conservation. The focus on the white oak, shortleaf pine, and additional ash and American chestnut trials will illustrate how genetic research informs restoration strategies. This track provides a comprehensive understanding of the intersection between genetics and sustainable forestry, highlighting the importance of genetic diversity in ecosystem health.
Walking Expectations: Light walking, no more than 250 feet at a time, over slightly uneven but flat terrain can be expected. Trucks will be provided for those who would prefer to ride.
