This panel is brought to you by the Ellsworth Arbor Commission. The event will begin with a Passamaquoddy basket-making demo and an explanation of the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) and its status as the number one threat to ash trees across the United States.  From there, the discussion will focus on the state of Maine and the ecological significance of all three ash species: brown, green, and white.  Whether it provides wildlife habitat, cycles soil nutrients, regulates water tables, or serves as a food source, we’ll talk about how the ash tree functions as a keystone species in its ecosystem.  The panel’s focus will narrow further as we investigate the cultural significance of ash trees in Maine’s tribal villages.  Fraxinus nigra, commonly known as either brown ash or black ash, is cherished within the Wabanaki Nations.  The tree has a unique ability to split along its growth rings, creating splints favored for various styles of indigenous basketmaking. We’ll discuss the future of these trees as they become threatened by EAB, and the partnerships that have developed to preserve them.