Participants will gain insights into the basic concepts of local adaptation in trees and explore the three types of assisted migration. The presenter will discuss the benefits of these practices, strategies to mitigate risks, and the decision support tools available to guide assisted migration decisions.

There is NO CHARGE for members of IdAEP, SAF, and the NW AEP Chapters. 

Non-member registrations will be invoiced.

PRESENTER INFORMATION:

Andy Bower

Climate Adaptation Specialist

Office of Sustainability and Climate with the U.S. Forest Service

Andy is a Climate Adaptation Specialist in the Office of Sustainability and Climate with the U.S. Forest Service, based in Olympia, Washington. He has a bachelor’s degree in forestry from U.C. Berkeley, M.S. in forest science from Oregon State University, and a Ph.D. in forest sciences from the University of British Columbia. From 2010-2022 he was the USFS Zone Geneticist for western WA and northwest OR and the Project Coordinator for the USFS Pacific Northwest Region (Oregon and Washington) Whitebark Pine Restoration Program. His professional interests include seed sourcing for reforestation and restoration, population and conservation genetics of forest trees and native plants, and conservation/restoration of rare or threatened trees. Since 2022 his work has focused on issues involving climate change adaptation, especially as related to seed movement and reforestation, with an emphasis on implementation of assisted migration to maintain adapted and resilient forests in the face of changing climates. He also works with silviculturists and botanists providing guidance on seed movement and genetic issues relative to trees and herbaceous native plants.