Working with genetic resources across the Mediterranean? New guidance on the EU ABS Regulation - MedForest

Seed, cuttings, and plant material move frequently across the Mediterranean basin, and much of the research on Mediterranean tree species depends on material collected in other countries. That raises ...

medforest.net

OptFORESTS final conference at FORESTT 2027: call for abstracts now open!

The OptFORESTS symposium at the FORESTT International Conference 2027 welcomes abstracts until 13 December 2026. 

optforests.eu

Wildfire destroys INRAE forest research infrastructure in Gironde

Fire has destroyed 80 hectares of INRAE forest research infrastructure in Gironde, including unique genetic conservation collections. OptFORESTS will help design a new generation of climate-adapted ex...

optforests.eu

OptFORESTS News #6 - July 2026

Don't miss the latest news from the Horizon Europe OptFORESTS project, focused on the management and sustainable use of forest genetic resources to foster more resilient forests!

mailchi.mp

New OptFORESTS common garden trials established in Spain

Two new forest genetic trials at the National Centre for Forest Genetic Resources of Valsaín will help assess how European forest species and provenances adapt to a changing climate.

optforests.eu

OptFORESTS launches Europe-wide stakeholder survey to strengthen forest resilience

OptFORESTS invites forest scientists, policymakers and practitioners to share insights through a new stakeholder survey, helping strengthen Europe’s forest resilience through genetic diversity and bet...

optforests.eu

Planting the OptFORESTS Mediterranean common garden in southern France

Bruno Fady and Carine Dublineau (INRAE URFM, Avignon) describe their adventures in planting seedlings for a provenance test in southern France's Maures Mountains.

optforests.eu

Learning from nature and trusting in diversity: low-input breeding for future-ready forests

How can Europe plant forests resilient to future climate risks? OptFORESTS promotes low-input, high-diversity seed sources to support adaptable, productive forests through nature-based breeding a...

optforests.eu

Help strengthen the traceability of forest reproductive material (FRM) across Europe

Are you working with forest reproductive material? Share your experience through a short survey to help strengthen provenance information and improve future FRM traceability systems.

euforgen.org

Seeds are our best allies to guarantee forest renewal: What is challenging germination?

For long-lived, sessile organisms like trees, the ability to adjust their distribution ranges and maintain healthy populations depends on a crucial process: forest renewal. This process begins long be...

optforests.eu

“Can’t you just buy seedlings from a nursery?” Why forest reproductive material matters

Europe’s climate goals require reliable, well-adapted forest reproductive material. OptFORESTS assesses nursery capacity, challenges and future needs to build a resilient FRM supply system across Euro...

optforests.eu

Help strengthen the traceability of forest reproductive material (FRM) across Europe

Are you working with forest reproductive material? Share your experience through a short survey to help strengthen provenance information and improve future FRM traceability systems.

optforests.eu

Less needles, more leaves?

When you picture Nordic forests, you might imagine an endless sea of conifers. But is that about to change?

optforests.eu

Joint EUFORGEN–FORGENIUS webinar: New EUFGIS era – live demonstration of the upgraded platform

16 December 2025 (10:00 - 11:30 CET). Online

euforgen.org

Detecting genetic decline: EUFORGEN–OptFORESTS webinar videos now online!

The EUFORGEN–OptFORESTS webinar series in November explored how scientists detect genetic decline in forests and apply this knowledge to strengthen management, breeding and conservation across Europe.

euforgen.org

Detecting genetic decline: Watch the OptFORESTS-EUFORGEN webinars!

The joint webinar series explored how to detect and prevent genetic decline in forests, featuring insights from OptFORESTS Work Package leaders and over 70 participants each day.

optforests.eu

Largest database on Mediterranean trees now available through open access

An international team led by INRAE and EFI compiled the largest open-access database of Mediterranean tree species, providing vital data on diversity, extinction risk and genetics to support conservat...

euforgen.org

Joint OptFORESTS-EUFORGEN webinar: Detecting genetic decline – from theory to practice

6 & 7 November 2025 (two hours each day). Online Day 1: 6 November, 13:00–15:00 CET Day 2: 7 November, 11:00–13:00 CET

optforests.eu

Joint OptFORESTS-EUFORGEN webinar: Detecting genetic decline – from theory to practice

6 & 7 November 2025 (two hours each day). Online Day 1: 6 November, 13:00–15:00 CET Day 2: 7 November, 11:00–13:00 CET

optforests.eu

IUFRO webinar to explore assisted migration and landscape breeding for forest adaptation

Join IUFRO’s new webinar series on 25 September. Prof. Milan Lstibůrek explores assisted migration and landscape breeding for resilient forests, moderated by Dr Debojyoti Chakraborty.

optforests.eu

New OptFORESTS publication explores who shapes Europe’s forest genetic resources

Mapping forest stakeholders across Europe highlights conflicts and cooperation in conserving genetic diversity, managing reproductive material, and protecting forests under varying governance framewor...

optforests.eu

OptFORESTS sets out nursery priorities for EU Green Deal tree planting goals

Discover how Europe’s forest nurseries can scale up to meet the EU’s tree planting targets. A new policy brief from OptFORESTS outlines key priorities and challenges.

optforests.eu

EFI YLP Mediterranean 2025: Young leaders breaking stereotypes in the forest sector

Discover blog posts, photos, and short films by participants of the EFI Young Leadership Programme – Mediterranean 2025, challenging stereotypes in forestry and showcasing sector diversity.

mailchi.mp

Learning about common gardens and their role in forecasting adaptation to future climates

The CLONAPIN common garden network investigates maritime pine adaptation to climate change, supporting research on genetics and productivity, while also serving as an educational and international coo...

optforests.eu

Joint EVOLTREE-FORGENIUS Conference / Third Biannual EVOLTREE Conference

18-21 November 2025, Madrid, Spain

evoltree.eu

Participatory mapping of the forest community stakeholders in Europe focusing on forest genetic resources, forest reproductive material, and protected forests

The genetic diversity of forest trees, as provided by Forest Genetic Resources (FGR) and being the basis for the production of Forest Reproductive Mat…

sciencedirect.com

OptFORESTS News #4 - June 2025

Don't miss the latest news from the Horizon Europe OptFORESTS project, focused on the management and sustainable use of forest genetic resources to foster more resilient forests!

mailchi.mp

New OptFORESTS publication explores who shapes Europe’s forest genetic resources

Mapping forest stakeholders across Europe highlights conflicts and cooperation in conserving genetic diversity, managing reproductive material, and protecting forests under varying governance framewor...

optforests.eu