Sustaining Ash
Partners Network
What We Do
Photo credit: APCAW
Our network spans Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York, Massachusetts, and Tribal lands.
SAP-Ne supports collaborative responses to forest health impacts from the emerald ash borer (EAB), an introduced pest which threatens to eliminate ash from the landscape. Since the 2002 discovery of EAB in Michigan, the first tragic wave of its deadly impacts have already been seen across the Midwest. In our Northeastern region, EAB’s impact are still in the early phases- making this a pivotal moment mobilize collective ash stewardship.
The loss of ash is ecologically, economically, and culturally devastating, particularly for Indigenous peoples, for whom black or brown ash holds a key role in their lifeways, basket making traditions, and heritage. Our efforts focus on strengthening a unified response for ash stewardship, especially where ash is culturally significant, to support strategies that preserve all three species of ash found in the Northeast- brown or black, white, and green ash.
We engage in a range of activities including:
Training and Education: We work with partners to design trainings (i.e., workshops & webinars) that equip forest stewards with the cutting-edge knowledge and tools needed to retain and enhance ash on the landscape.
Establishing a Network of Ash Demonstration Areas: We formed a network of demonstration areas across the region to showcase thoughtful ash management in urban and rural landscapes.
Building Community: We’re building a community of leaders across cultures committed to keeping ash on the landscape for generations to come.
Monitoring and Optimizing: We seek feedback from our community about the efficacy of our network to ensure our work is impactful and enhances the overall protection of ash trees in the Northeast.