OptFORESTS

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...

How do we avoid planting forests that fail in future climates?🌱

By using diverse, well-adapted seed sources. #OptFORESTS supports low-input breeding to build forests that can cope with uncertainty.🌳

Explore a new blog story on our website! #HorizonEU
www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

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.

🌱 Working with seeds, seedlings or planting stock?

Help identify strengths and gaps in current forest reproductive material traceability systems by completing a short survey led by @optforests.bsky.social. #HorizonEU

Your experience matters!
www.euforgen.org/about-us/new...

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...

🌱Seeds are key to forest renewal, but not all can cope with warmer and drier conditions. Germination depends on temperature, moisture and dormancy...but #climatechange is disrupting these cues.

Discover how OptFORESTS is filling critical knowledge gaps 👇 #HorizonEU
www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

“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...

🌱 New year, new stories from #OptFORESTS!

Why does forest reproductive material matter? Our latest blog explains how nurseries, regulation and cooperation shape climate-resilient #forests!

👉 Read more: www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...
#ForestResilience #ClimateAdaptation #HorizonEU

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.

🌱 Do you work with forest reproductive material #FRM?
Share your experience in a short survey to help strengthen provenance information and improve FRM traceability across Europe.

Your input supports resilient forests and high-quality regeneration. 👉 Take part: www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

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

🌲 Less needles, more leaves? Our new #OptFORESTS blog by Simone Bianchi (@luke.fi) explores how increasing broadleaves like birch could boost resilience, biodiversity & carbon storage in Nordic forests.

Read more & stay tuned for our upcoming newsletter! www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

Joint EUFORGEN–FORGENIUS webinar: New EUFGIS era – live demonstration of the upgraded platform 16 December 2025 (10:00 - 11:30 CET). Online

🌲Discover the new #EUFGIS platform! Join us on 16 December for a live demo of the upgraded system developed with @forgenius-eu.bsky.social.

Discover new tools, a refreshed interface & expanded data to support forest genetic resource conservation across Europe: www.euforgen.org/about-us/new...

🌳The upgraded #EUFGIS platform is now live! 💻

It offers enhanced tools, updated datasets and improved usability for monitoring forest genetic resources across Europe. The system provides harmonised data on more than 3,500 conservation units.

More info here: www.euforgen.org/about-us/new...

Missed the latest webinar from @euforgen.bsky.social & @optforests.bsky.social?

Dive into the discussion on monitoring and preventing #forest genetic #diversity decline 🧬🌿🌳

🎥 Watch the webinar recordings now ➡️ www.euforgen.org/about-us/new...

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.

🌳🧬 How can we tell when forest #genetic diversity is declining, and how can it be protected?

Watch the recordings from the @euforgen.bsky.social –OptFORESTS webinars exploring genetic indicators, assisted gene flow and forest #resilience.

🎥 www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...
#HorizonEU

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...

A landmark for #MediterraneanForests 🌿@inrae-france.bsky.social & @efieuropeanforest.bsky.social release the largest open-access database of #Mediterranean tree species: 496 species, 147 subspecies, and key data on diversity, extinction risk & genetics.

Read more👉 www.euforgen.org/about-us/new...

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

🌲 Join us in the joint OptFORESTS–EUFORGEN two-part webinar Detecting genetic decline: From theory to practice on 6–7 Nov 2025. Explore when and how to act to protect genetic diversity in forests and beyond.

👉 Register: www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

#ForestGenetics #Biodiversity #HorizonEU

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

🌲 On 6–7 Nov 2025, @euforgen.bsky.social & #OptFORESTS will host a webinar on detecting genetic decline. Learn how to detect risks, preserve forest genetic diversity and strengthen climate adaptation.

👉 Register: www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

#Forestry #Genetics #Webinar #HorizonEU

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.

🌲 Discover how assisted migration & landscape breeding can strengthen forest adaptation to climate change.

Join the @iufro.bsky.social webinar with Prof. Milan Lstibůrek, moderated by Dr. Debojyoti Chakraborty.

📅 25 Sept | 18:00–19:00 CEST
www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

🌲 Did you know #EUFORGEN hosts a collection of webinars on #ForestGenetics & #Resilience?

🌍 From stone pines facing pests to genetic diversity & ash dieback resistance, top experts share insights for sustainable #ForestManagement

Explore all the recordings here 👉 www.euforgen.org/resources/we...

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...

🌲 Who shapes Europe’s forest genetic resources? A new #OptFORESTS study maps 50+ stakeholder types managing #FGR & #FRM, from researchers to nursery owners & policymakers.

Findings call for inclusive governance to boost forest #resilience to climate change.

www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

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.

🌳 To meet the EU’s 3-billion-tree goal by 2030, forest nurseries must scale up. The new #OptFORESTS policy brief outlines key priorities: improved seed provision, strategic species choices & expanded nursery capacity.

📥 More info here: www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

#EUGreenDeal #HorizonEU

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.

🌿 How can we break stereotypes in the forest sector? In May, #YLPMED 2025 brought together young professionals to explore the latest forest science! But they also learned how to communicate with impact &transform the way we talk about #forestry ✨

1/2 🧵

mailchi.mp/efi/ylpmed20...

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...

🌲 From climate modelling to classroom learning! The CLONAPIN network supports #forest research and helps students explore how tree genetics influence growth and #adaptation.

🍃A great #OptFORESTS example of science in action. Discover more! #HorizonEU www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

Joint EVOLTREE-FORGENIUS Conference / Third Biannual EVOLTREE Conference 18-21 November 2025, Madrid, Spain

🌳 Extended deadline! Submit your abstract for the Joint #EVOLTREE - @forgenius-eu.bsky.social Conference in Madrid (18–21 Nov 2025). Theme: Integrative Diversity of Forest Ecosystems.

📄 New deadline: 4 July 2025
🔗 Details & submission: www.evoltree.eu/conferences/...

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…

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

Very proud to be part of this beautiful @optforests.bsky.social paper.

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!

📩Explore the latest in forest genetics & climate resilience in the June 2025 #OptFORESTS newsletter!

From evolution-oriented forestry to stakeholder research and upcoming events, find out how science and policy are shaping Europe’s forests #HorizonEU

🔗Read now: mailchi.mp/c0d23f811dd5...

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...

📝New #OptFORESTS study maps over 50 stakeholder types shaping Europe’s forest genetic resources and reproductive material. It highlights tensions and synergies in conservation, seed production, and governance. Published in Trees, Forests and People journal.

www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

Hot off the press! Today we received a #newsletter packed with the latest news in forest genetics, and we’re delighted to see updates from our project featured as highlights! Don’t miss this June edition from the @euforgen.bsky.social programme!👇

Two PhD positions in forest genetics and climate adaptation at INRAE Avignon Two PhD positions at INRAE Avignon explore genetic adaptation in oak and beech trees, focusing on phenology, climate resilience, and forest population vulnerability.

Two fully funded PhD positions are now open at INRAE Avignon #France, in collaboration with Aix-Marseille University. Study genetic adaptation and climate resilience in beech and oak forests. Start: Autumn 2025. Apply by 27 June / 2 July. #ForestGenetics
www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

Turning over a new leaf Forests protect biodiversity, regulate climate & support millions of livelihoods. Their strength? Genetic diversity. To secure their future, we must protect & sustainably use their genetic resources. ...

Discover @fao.org’s new interactive story on forest genetic resources, highlighting how genetic diversity strengthens forests, supports communities, and helps protect biodiversity and climate for future generations through engaging visuals and storytelling!
www.fao.org/interactive/...

🌳 EUFORGEN’s tree species pages offer key info on 100+ forest trees across Europe, from ecology to genetic diversity and conservation. Updated and accessible for researchers & forest managers!

👉 Explore them now: www.euforgen.org/species

🎥 Watch our 30-year journey: youtu.be/kqVBgMg87t0?...

Find here my announcement for a 2-year post-doc position in ecological genomics of white oaks in the framework of the Horizon project OptFORESTS. I am looking for somebody with strong skills in bioinformatics, landscape genomics, forest genomics, GWAS, and population genetic simulations.

New postdoctoral opportunity in ecological genomics at WSL Two-year postdoc to investigate genetic resilience of European oaks under climate change, in collaboration with leading researchers across the OptFORESTS consortium

🚨 New 2-year #postdoc in ecological genomics at @wslresearch.bsky.social (Switzerland) starting Oct 2025. Study climate adaptation in European oaks using genomic + phenotypic data. Join the #OptFORESTS project with top EU partners. More info on our website! 👇 www.optforests.eu/news-and-med...

YouTube video by EUFORGEN EUFORGEN Webinar - Mechanisms of natural & anthropogenic selection on forest trees (11 April 2025)

Did you miss the #EUFORGEN + @optforests.bsky.social webinar on natural selection and forest resilience? François Lefèvre (@inrae-france.bsky.social) shows how to manage #forests with future adaptation in mind. 📺 Watch the video recording here 👉 youtu.be/soSf1JGVcw4?....
#ClimateAdaptation