Emerald ash borer (EAB) has significant economic, ecological, and cultural impacts on ash trees. Brown ash is the principal material used in production of baskets by Native American artisans across the Northern Forest region. The practice is deeply rooted in the cultural identities of the region’s Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. Through partnerships and collaborations with Tribal Nations, indigenous communities, and ash resource stakeholders, NSRC researchers will enhance outreach efforts to inform research on increasing resiliency of ash to EAB. They will establish study sites to test adaptive management strategies for brown ash forests.

Researchers will coordinate public outreach in Tribal communities and present members with possible adaptive management options, outcomes, and knowledge gaps and will lead focus group discussions. Outcomes will help researchers to design the study of forest adaptive management strategies and will ensure the trials align with priorities of Tribal partners. Researchers will conduct management trials at six study sites in northern and central Maine and will monitor sites pre- and post-treatment for EAB impacts and infestation levels and for patterns of forest regeneration and development. Researchers will analyze the overall efficacy of the adaptive management strategies at slowing the spread of EAB and promoting ash regeneration.

Results will help to create guidelines and recommendations for how to best increase resiliency of the region’s ash resource. Researchers will create management guides and informational sheets for Tribal Nations, private landowners, foresters, and loggers. These outreach materials will address misconceptions and knowledge gaps regarding ash best management practices and its cultural significance to the region’s Indigenous Peoples.

Download 2022 progress report (PDF)

Final Products

D’Amato, A. W., Orwig, D. A., Siegert, N. W., MahaNey, A., Benedict, L., Everett, T., Daigle, J., Johnson, L., Catanzaro, P., & Cusack, C. (2023). Species preservation in the face of novel threats: Cultural, ecological, and operational considerations for preserving tree species in the context of non‑indigenous insects and pathogens. Journal of Forestry, 121(5–6), 470–479. https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvad024

D’Amato, A. W., Orwig, D. A., Siegert, N. W., MahaNey, A., Benedict, L., Everett, T., Daigle, J., Johnson, L., Catanzaro, P., & Cusack, C. (2023). Towards tree species preservation: Protecting ash amidst the emerald ash borer invasion in the Northeast. Journal of Forestry, 121(5–6), 480–487. https://doi.org/10.1093/jofore/fvad025

Catanzaro, P., D’Amato, A., Orwig, D., Siegert, N., Benedict, L., Everett, T., Daigle, J., & MahaNey, A. (n.d.). Managing New England forests threatened by Emerald Ash Borer. Massachusetts Land Trust Coalition.

Dr. Emily Francis-Lamore – Understanding private landowners involvement, knowledge sharing, and social networks in conservation of brown ash in the face of emerald ash borer

National Adaptation Forum – Brown Ash and Emerald Ash Borer 2022

National Native Seed Conference 2023

Maine Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting -Building Stewardship Capacity Lightning Talk 2022

Maine Society of American Foresters Annual Meeting –Tribal Forestry Panel 2024

National Native Seed Conference 2025

Common Ground Fair – APCAW Presentation 2022

Maine Forest Service Annual Training – Ash Preservation Presentation 2022

United South and Eastern Tribes Inc. Forest and Wetland Webinar Training Series – Adaptive Management in Brown/Black Ash Wetland Forests -2022

Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Ash Inventory Training 2022

Northeast Forest Pest Council Meeting – Brown Ash and Emerald Ash Borer Panel 2023

Maine Land Trust Network Ash Forest Field Trip 2023

Introduction to the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik 2023

APCAW Identifying and Inventorying Ash Forests Workshop #1 2023

APCAW Emerald Ash Borer and Ash Resilience Research 2023

APCAW Identifying and Inventorying Ash Forests Workshop #2 2023

APCAW Why Collect Ash Seed? 2023

APCAW Office Hours 2023

Maine Land Trust Network Annual Meeting – APCAW Introduction 2023

Common Ground Fair – APCAW Presentation 2023

Akwesasne Basket Makers Gathering 2023

Maine Audubon Annual Plant Sale – APCAW Introduction Presentation 2023

Caring for Maine’s Brown Ash Resource in the Face of Emerald Ash Borer – Webinar and Field Tour 2023

Sustaining Ash Partners Network Kick-ON Webinar 2024

APCAW Talk at the Museum of the White Mountains 2024

Scarborough Library talk: Emerald Ash Borer in Maine and the Current State of Ash Trees 2024

APCAW’s – Future of Brown Ash Meeting 2024

Common Ground Fair – APCAW Presentation 2024

Colby College Seminar – Social Science in Ash Protection Work 2024

Yale Forest Forum on Tribal Forestry – Wabanaki Efforts to Preserve Brown Ash 2024

Sebasticook Regional Land Trust Annual Meeting 2024 – Keynote Speaker on APCAW Effort

United South and Eastern Tribes – Native American Heritage Month – Ash Basketry and Emerald Ash Borer Presentation 2024

Pathways to Sustain Ash: Webinar and Field Tour Series (Forest Steward’s Guild) 2025

Forest Stewards Guild Pathways to Sustain Ash Series: The How-To of Ash Seed Preservation from Collection to Propagation 2025

Colby College Seminar – Social Science in Ash Protection Work 2025

Maine Land Conservation Conference – APCAW Update Poster Session 2025

Yale Seminar – Wabanaki Efforts to Preserve Brown Ash 2025

News Article – Yessenia Funes | Indigeneity – Tribes Unite in Defense of Culture and Forests

APCAW Webpage

News Article – Portland Press Herald: Wabanaki tribes, scientists take drastic steps to save ash trees from invasive beetles

News Article – Portland Press Herald: Native seeds preserved, protected to counter surging invasives

News Article – Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands Ash Inventory Training 2022

Forest Stewards Guild – Guild Student Feature: Tyler Everett 2022

Intertribal Timber Council – IFMAT IV Student Spotlight 2023

Student Involvement:

Ella McDonald, MS
Sydney C., HS
Acknowledgement to the University of Maine Fort Kent
Silvicultural Class