alberta forest genetic resources council climate change: what can you do? cliff smith, chair, afgrc...

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council

Climate Change: What can you do?

Cliff Smith, Chair, AFGRC

Alberta Forest Products Association’s Conference

September 28, 2006

The Council

Acts as an advisory group to the Minister of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Serves as a sounding board for emerging issues and new policies

Goals Genetic gain Adaptation Genetic diversity Conservation

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Dr. Barb Thomas

The Council

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Council Activities

Policy Review/ Positions Statements GMOs Non-native trees in

reforestation

Conservation Plan

Tree improvement standards (STIA)

Photo courtesy of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Council Activities

Strategic Initiatives Council Communications Forest Productivity

Advocacy Research GAP Analysis

Workshops/ Conferences Climate Change Post Harvest Stand

Development

National Participation Benchmarking of Genetics

Programs Access & Benefit Sharing

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

AFGRC Communications

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

The Challenge of Climate Change

Drought tolerance

Pest and disease resistance

Population movement

Flammability of the forest

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

The Threat

Radical changes in climate

New trees not growing

Economic disruption

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Duncan MacDonnell

The Opportunity

Some conditions may improve

New products and markets?

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of MediaMatch West Communications Inc.

AFGRC Statement of Principle 1

The risk of

status-quo forest management exceeds the risk of making changes to forest resource practices

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of FERIC

AFGRC Statement of Principle 2

Council's primary concerns are loss of forest

productivity loss of genetic

resources increased pest and

disease outbreaks extreme climate events increased forest fire

frequency and intensity

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

AFGRC Statement of Principle 3

Proactive adaptation strategies are required

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

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AFGRC’s Next Step 1

Provide advice to the provincial government

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Canadian Forest Service– Laurentian Forestry Centre

AFGRC’s Next Step 2

Council will inform the public

and other decision-makers

promote the development of adaptation strategies

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Insert cover shot of AFGRC Climate Change fact sheet

What does this all mean?

Climate Change is A serious issue

impacting ecosystems worldwide

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Sarah Seinen

What you can do: 1

Think and Plan Be prepared Support and initiate

research Talk to the AFGRC

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Sarah Seinen

What you can do: 2

Education Educate yourself

about the impacts of climate change

Ask yourself if you and your organization are prepared

Keenly observe trends on your reforestation sites

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Photo courtesy of Doug Huffman

What you can do: 3

Seed Planning (1) Assess your reforestation sites and

choice of species based on an understanding of their likely response to climate change

Collect sufficient volumes of seed by species and ensure coverage of the seed zones within your Forest Management Plan areas

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

What you can do: 4

Seed Planning (2) Follow all requirements of current

standards Increase participation in both in-situ and

ex-situ conservation

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

What you can do 5:

Move Seed Move planting stock further north or to

higher elevation When moving across seed boundaries,

avoid movements into lower elevation seed zones

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

Conclusion

What can you do?

Don’t rely on others.

Be proactive – NOW!

Photo courtesy of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com

For More Information

Cliff Smith, Chair

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council

Phone: (780) 449-5626

E-mail: afgrc@shaw.ca

Web: www.abtreegene.com

Alberta Forest Genetic Resources Council – www.abtreegene.com