A local organisation has completed the first part of a genetic project aimed at restoring the Bermuda cedar population.

A statement said BioQuest completed a draft reference genome on the critically endangered species, with financial support from US-based firm Wise Ancestors, Global Atlantic and Roche, through the Bermuda College.

A genome contains an organism’s complete genetic information.

The statement said: “The end goal of this project is to generate the first publicly available annotated reference genome for the Bermuda cedar.

“This would equip researchers, conservationists and policymakers to conserve, study and potentially restore the native species across the archipelago, aiding the ability of Bermuda’s ecosystems to be resilient to climate change.”

The project was announced last year and funding for the first phase was satisfied in May.

A Bermuda cedar planted by Sir Winston Churchill at Government House in 1942, almost a year before parasites that accidentally arrived on the island wiped out most of the native population, was deemed the perfect specimen for the project.

BioQuest allows scientists to study species at home instead of sending samples overseas.

The organisation previously sequenced genomes for the cahow and Bermuda skink, but the Bermuda cedar project is its largest reference to date.

Carika Weldon, BioQuest cofounder and director of research, said: “This is about more than just genetics; it’s about honouring Bermuda’s ecological roots and future-proofing our biodiversity with local talent.

“To showcase global science expertise right here at home is something we aim to replicate in other projects in Bermuda and beyond.”

Jean-Pierre Rouja, BioQuest cofounder and executive director, said: “At every step of this project we learn something new, and we still don’t know what we don’t know.

“For example, we may find that what are thought to be ancient Bermuda cedars were already hybrids, or determine that propagating original Bermuda cedars en masse might just give the scale infestation an opportunity to return.”

Ann Pace, Wise Ancestors cofounder and executive director, said: “This project that utilises both cutting-edge genomics technologies and community-centred conservation has the potential to help restore Bermuda’s subtropical conifer forest ecosystem, and thereby helping other native species be more resilient to the impacts of climate change and other pressures.”

People can learn more about the cedar and cahow studies at the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute tomorrow.

Dr Weldon, Mr Rouja and Jeremy Madeiros, principal scientist for terrestrial conservation at the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, will speak at the event, during which the father of a cahow chick at the centre of a paternity scandal will be revealed.

Tickets for the presentation are $20 and can be purchased via bdatix.bm.

The next phase of BioQuest’s Bermuda cedar project involves collecting data to develop a test for detecting hybridised trees and is 23 per cent funded at present.

The statement said: “This challenge will also support bio-banking samples of native Bermuda cedars to better protect, and if deemed appropriate, propagate the endemic Bermuda cedar across Bermuda.

“Altogether, this could aid in the overall health of Bermuda’s environment for all species to thrive.”

• Local donations to this project can be made via crm.bda.bm or US donations can be made at platform.wiseancestors.org