Collect and store ash seed

You can help protect ash trees by collecting ash seeds and share them with the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik (APCAW). Scientists need a collection of healthy ash seeds from a variety of different locations to grow new ash trees after an EAB infestation. The seeds will also be used for research and conservation of the species.

Adapted from “Seed Collection and Ash Regeneration” Emily Francis, Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik, University of Maine

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Protect

Important Considerations

Advocate for Wabanaki Sovereignty

Wabanaki people have been caring for ash for thousands of years. You can help protect ash by helping to restore the rights and privileges of the most knowledgeable ash stewards. Learn about tribal Sovereignty and the best ways to take action from the Wabanaki Alliance: https://www.wabanakialliance.com

Organize

Important Considerations

Provide access to brown ash stands

Brown ash trees are the traditional trees used for basket making by the Wabanaki people and is of great cultural importance. If you find brown ash, you can share the location of these trees with basketmakers and work with community members to allow them access the trees. The material from the tree will be stored to allow basketmaking to continue as EAB moves through our region.

Adapt

Important Considerations

Set an EAB trap

By setting an EAB trap you can help your community by detecting EAB before the infestation grows. If you are in an area where EAB has not yet been detected, you could be the first to spot it by setting a trap! This will allow you to detect EAB and hopefully keep other ash trees safe.

Important Considerations

Manage

Predator Release

Researchers have found predators that can kill EAB. This can slow the pests’ ability to infest new trees, reproduce, and kill trees. This predator (also known as a biocontrol) has the potential to protect ash trees for many years. You can work with the Maine Forest Service to release EAB predators in your area. Once released you will monitor how well the predator removes existing EAB and slows their spread.

Manage

Important Considerations

Remove Invasive Plants

In many places where EAB has killed ash trees, invasive plants have been the first species to grow back in their place. You can help to maintain space for new ash trees to grow by removing invasive plants before, during, or after EAB comes through.

Manage

Important Considerations

Tag Your Trees

Most people have no idea how many ash �trees are in their community. So, they don’t

know what’s at risk. You can join the Maine

Forest Service’s project to educate people

by tagging the ash trees in your area. You can invite friends, family, and other members of your community to help tag trees with you! By identifying and tagging these trees, community members can have a better appreciation for the trees around them.

Educate

Important Considerations

Post signs to prevent spreading

EAB can spread when people carry firewood from a place with EAB to a new location. To prevent the spread of EAB, create signs that warn people of the impacts of these pests on our ecosystems. Post the signs in areas where spread is most likely to occur, especially where firewood is sold or where people are traveling.

Educate

Important Considerations

Launch a social media campaign

Teach people about the dangers of EAB and how they can prevent the spread by launching a social media campaign.

Educate

Important Considerations

Plant Native Trees

If you have found trees around your school that are unlikely to survive EAB, research a native tree that might provide similar benefits, like shading, cooling, food, shelter, or habitat for other species. Work with your school and a local tree expert to help identify and plant native trees for your area.

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Adapt

Important Considerations

Organize for climate change action

EAB infestations are made worse by climate change. You can make a difference by writing to your state representatives or organizing a demonstration to voice your demands for climate change action. Use information you have learned about the impacts of EAB to explain why climate action is important to your community.

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Organize

Important Considerations

Host a community event

Get your whole community involved in monitoring for EAB and taking actions to protect your trees by sharing what you know! Invite family, friends, and community members to your school to learn about the problem of EAB. Teach your community how to identify ash trees and look for signs of infestation. Make it an event, with lots snacks for everyone!

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Educate

Important Considerations

Continue monitoring

If you do not have EAB in your community now, chances are it might be there soon. Organize a team to check your area regularly so that you can make sure that you spot EAB as soon as it arrives in your community. You can pick new places to monitor, too!

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Protect

Important Considerations

Do Nothing

Sometimes the best action is no action at all. Let nature take care of itself.

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Important Considerations

Other

Describe your own action idea and why it is important:

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Important Considerations