In 2002, the Alberta Forest Genetics Resources Council proposed a study to review how the management of genetic resources of forest trees in that province compared with that of other provinces. Initially, the survey was to be limited to provinces with Councils. Later, the Alberta Council expressed interest in surveying all Canadian provinces and territories that have forests. Further discussions with the BC Forest Genetics Council and a representative from Ontario led to development of a survey that was distributed to representatives from twelve provinces and territories. Eleven of twelve jurisdictions responded.

Survey results will be offered at an open meeting to be held in conjunction with the Canadian Tree Improvement Association conference in Kelowna, BC, on the evening of July 26, 2004. There are two objectives for this meeting:

1. Encourage the development of contacts among jurisdictions on policy issues.
2. Assay the level of interest in the development of a nationally coordinated effort on forest gene resource management issues.

Discussions will be led by representatives from Alberta, Ontario, and British Columbia, and it is hoped representatives from all provinces will attend. This meeting is primarily directed at people involved with policy and broad planning levels, although all interested parties are welcome to attend.

For further information, please contact:

Narinder Dhir	narinder.dhir@gov.ab.ca
Jack Woods	jwoods.fgc@shaw.ca
Don Lester	dlester@saltspring.com
Dennis Joyce	dennis.joyce@mnr.gov.on.ca