Biological Science Policy Social & Environmental

Forest Health Initiative

Host: American Chestnut

Pathogen: Cryphonectria

Disease: Chestnut Blight

Population Development(ACxCC)xAC, ACxAC

Biological Science Policy Social & Environmental

Forest Health Initiative

• Genome sequence

• Germplasm markers

• Clonal testing (includes lines from breeding and from transgenics)

• Updating (APHIS, FDA, EPA)

• Discussions

• Outreach

• Publications

Forest Health InitiativeMessages to Consider from Year 1

Science Advisory Committee• expertise mostly external to chestnut• site visits to check progress and talk science

Funding Mechanism• deliverables-based• supplemental supports new innovations

Crosstalk is Required• deliverables are interdependent

There is a Sense of Urgency

Forest Health InitiativeLooking Ahead

Rapid Response Framework • required to generalize the model• not “one size fits all”

Roll-Out• publications• outreach

Biotechnology-Assisted Ecosystem Restoration• many challenges but an important discussion