services. Much of the current afforestation, reforestation, or restoration efforts use local seed sources, but under climate change, the adaptability of these populations may no longer be optimal; therefore, assisted migration is a tool widely being debated to replace or supplement local populations and help establish forests that will have the best chance of being healthy and resilient into the future. Success will require broad inter-disciplinary inputs from forest genetics, tree breeding, silviculture and forest health specialists at all stages of development and implementation. The technical session will address what is needed for success in both breeding and assisted migration, providing examples of successful applied programs and efforts that are underway. The current understanding of the genetics of the host-pathogen interaction will also be included. Understanding the interactions between hosts and pathogens may provide enhanced ways of increasing resistance to pathogens, such as targets for genetic engineering techniques. The topics addressed are broad but are all focussed on preventing forest trees from damage caused by pathogens. We will particularly encourage the participation of early career scientists and graduate students and invite posters to be presented.