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About WFGA

The Western Forest Genetics Association (WFGA) comprises professionals, researchers, and students involved in forest genetics issues in the western US and Canada.  It was founded in 1955 and currently holds biennial meetings that are rotated throughout the region, often held jointly with other organizations. 

WFGA has a long history of sponsoring students to attend their meetings, and at each meeting we present the William B. Critchfield award to the best student presentation and poster.  Tax-free donations can be sent to the OSU Foundation, with a request that they be placed in the William B. Critchfield trust fund.

Upcoming Meetings

Forest Genetics 2023: Discovery and Innovation in Changing Climates

The Western Forest Genetics Association (WFGA) and Canadian Forest Genetics Association (CFGA) will organize and co-host an in-person forest genetics conference in 2023. Check out the event website https://forestgenetics2023.ca for details. Come join leading experts in the fields of forest genomics research, tree breeding, seed production, seed processing and gene conservation. This will be an exciting and engaging conference that includes a comprehensive scientific agenda with oral presentations and poster sessions, a field tour and banquet. The WFGA and CFGA will sponsor cash awards for the best student oral and poster presentations.

  • Dates: July 10 to 13, 2023
  • Where: Vernon, British Columbia, Canada
      

William B. Critchfield Award

W.B. Critchfield was a dear and trusted colleague and friend of  many of us in forest genetics. In addition to his substantial scientific contributions in taxonomy and studies in basic genetic variation, he was an avid supporter of WFGA and understood the importance of students’ participation in the association. All students participating in a WFGA meeting and giving an oral presentation or presenting a poster will be eligible for this $700/$300 award. The award is a tribute to a student’s quality of work and presentation, and the winner will be selected by a panel of WGFA members.      

Past winners of the award were:
  • 2021, Poster: Kaylee Rosenberger, Northern Illinois University/Morton Arboretum
  • 2021, Poster Runner-up: Aaron Onufrak, University of Tennessee
  • 2021, Presentation: Francois Du Toit, University of British Columbia
  • 2021, Presentation Runner-up: Eddie Lauer, North Carolina State University
  • 2017, Best Presentation: Miriam Isaac-Renton, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
  • 2017, Presentation Runner-up: Blaise Ratcliffe, University of British Columbia
  • 2017, Best Poster: Barbara Wong, University of British Columbia
  • 2015, Presentation: Jon Degner, University of British Columbia
  • 2013, Presentation: Chen Ding, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
  • 2013, Poster: David Montwé, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
  • 2011, Presentation: Mark Lesser, University of Wyoming, Laramie, WY
  • 2009, Presentation (shared): Sierra Curtis-McLane, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
  • 2009, Presentation (shared): David Roberts, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
  • 2009, Poster: Hongfang Wang, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
  • 2007, Daniel Chmura, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX
  • 2006, Tanya Latty, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB
  • 2005, Ann WIllyard, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
  • 2004, Mark Lesser, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, ON
  • 2003, Yanik Bérubé, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC
  • 2002, Lisa O'Connell, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC

Updated Dec 9, 2022