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Forest Geneticist for the British Columbia Ministry of Forests and Range Greg O’Neill, Ph. D, RPF
Find out more about his exciting career and contributions by clicking below My Job
Job Description I do research that helps to guide re-forestation strategies in BC to help ensure BC’s forests remain healthy and productive in a changing climate.
Day in the life of your position My office days sound pretty boring – admin, analysis, report writing, reviewing reports, etc., but they are interspersed with sheer delight when I get to devise and test new ideas and strategies. Right now, our team is in the field looking for suitable field sites for next year’s field tests and setting up weather stations. I also try to read an article each day, just to stay on top of the scientific literature in my field.
Can you tell me a little more about the AMAT project? Approximately 220 million seedlings are planted in BC each year. When those trees are harvested 60-80 years after they are planted, the climate could be 3-4 degrees warmer than when the seedlings were planted, exposing the trees to maladaptation and health risks. Consequently, BC MoFR researchers have initiated a large, long-term climate change research study - the Assisted Migration Adaptation Trial (AMAT) - to better understand tree species’ climate tolerances. The information will be used to revise BC’s species and seed source selection guidelines, helping to ensure maximum health and productivity of BC’s planted forests well into the future. Because of the scope of the project, everyone on the team does a variety of jobs. For example, last week we were inspecting the nursery crop for next year’s outplanting and surveying survival from the first year’s field planting. Next week we will be in the field looking for future test sites. There’s always a lot of public education too.
My Career
AMAT sounds huge! Any other mega projects you’ve accomplished with the MoFR? BC was the first jurisdiction in North America to refine its reforestation strategy in response to climate change. The province’s tree breeders played a large role in that change through the publication of an article entitled Assisted Migration to Address Climate Change in British Columbia in 2008.
What are some typical issues you tackle? No issues are ‘typical’. We are currently grappling with questions around which tree species would be most suited for reforestation in each region of the province, given future climates. We are also concerned with how species and seedlot diversity in plantations might help buffer some uncertainty in climate predictions.
What tools do you need to succeed at your job? I need a good computer with some specialized software for statistical analysis, climate interpolation, and graphic design. I make use of reforestation equipment, vehicles, weather stations, greenhouses, data loggers, and tree seed supplies.
What about characteristics? You need to be patient in this job. We establish trials that take 10 years before any valuable information comes out of them. Even more important, you need the ability to think long-term. You have to be able to communicate well if you want to sell your ideas. Attention to detail is another must. We need to track information from the time we collect cones in the bush up until the time the tree’s grown – that could be over a span of 20 years! When we’re collecting seed or data from thousands of trees, you need to make sure you are tracking the materials properly.
What’s the best thing about your job? For me, the best thing about my job is that I’ve been given a long leash to pursue questions and design experiments that are important for the province. I find this really exciting! I feel very privileged.
My History
What brought you to your current position? I had my eye on this position for ten years before it finally came open. I love trees, I love the outdoors, and I love the opportunity that reforestation presents. It’s really cool to see healthy, thriving forests and know that you’ve had a role in their success.
What’s been your career path thus far? After my Master’s Degree in Forest Ecology I worked in international development in Latin America for a year. I also worked in a large seedling nursery and as an environmental planning consultant. After my PhD, I worked as a post-doctoral fellow at UBC for 2 years. I was hired with the MoFR in 2001 as a Forest Geneticist.
What’s been the hugest hurdle you’ve had to overcome? The largest hurdle is getting people to accept change. It can be tough getting people to think positively about change because implementing change always involves some effort.
My Thoughts
What value does your job bring to BC? I hope that my work helps to ensure that BC’s forests will be healthy and productive in future climates.
What do you think is in the future for BC? BC is a world leader in climate change research for forestry. However, there are still many urgent questions that need to be addressed. The forest industry is changing rapidly in BC. There will be some very difficult years. Hopefully, our work will help ensure that the forests our kids inherit will be healthy and productive.
What is the value of Professionals to BC? You know that you can expect a high standard of work and integrity from a professional employee.
What does the phrase Professionals Making a Difference in BC mean to you? It means professionals are given the resources they need to do their job. Last spring a journalist from the USA interviewed me regarding one of our climate change projects. She told me the public doesn’t often expect to see cutting edge research being done in Government. Professionals do bring cutting edge work into places like Government, and they need to be valued for their work.
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