Tree Improvement Branch The Tree Improvement Branch (TIB) consists of a headquarters group in Victoria, five seed orchard complexes, two research stations, and the Tree Seed Centre, located in Surrey. TIB's mission is to protect, manage and conserve British Columbia's forest genetic resources through excellence in cone and seed services, research, tree breeding, decision support and client services. TIB provides critical support for the Chief Forester's office and to understand, protect and conserve the genetic foundations of BC's public forests. Seed Orchards and the Tree Seed Centre TIB’s seed orchards produce approximately 40% of the select seed used for reforestation in the province. The Tree Seed Centre is responsible for the processing, testing, registration, storage and distribution of tree seed destined for crown land reforestation. Forest Genetics resources are an essential component of forest stewardship. The BC Forest Genetics research program has a long and vibrant history of successes in a wide variety of species and traits and an active, wide-ranging array of research projects. The Forest Genetics program includes traditional tree breeding and tree improvement, genetic conservation, research on genecology contributing to seed transfer and climate change, and supporting research projects. Headquarters Policy and Planning Support for the Chief Forester's Office includes information and decision support for strategic and operational planning, timber supply analyses, and develops and implements provincial policies and regulations, including the Chief Forester's Standards for Seed Use. TIB manages complex information systems to maintain data associated with tree seed collected in wild stands and seed orchards. |
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