Preserving Black Ash

Raising climate change awareness and protecting Black Ash ecosystems through community-driven conservation.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Culture, Climate, and Conservation

Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) is vital to Indigenous cultural practices and New Brunswick’s wetland ecosystems—but it’s under threat from climate change, habitat loss, and invasive pests like the Emerald Ash Borer.

This initiative empowers communities, especially Indigenous groups, to protect Black Ash through mapping, habitat inventory, and conservation education—combining Traditional Ecological Knowledge and science.

LEARN MORE GET INVOLVED

Emerald Ash Borer – A wood-boring beetle that has caused the death of millions of Ash trees across Canada and the United States. Originating from Eastern Asia, this forest pest exclusively targets Ash trees.

Black ash, known for its pliable splints, is crucial for weaving baskets.

Project Partners

New Brunswick Indigenous Career College (NBICC)

Meduxnekeag River Association, NB Environmental Network

Why Black Ash Conservation is Urgent

Many conservation efforts focus on technical research alone—often overlooking the vital role of community knowledge and participation. This project matters because it:

Protects a culturally sacred species
Black Ash holds deep significance for Indigenous communities, used in ceremonies, crafts, and traditional medicine.
Supports biodiversity and climate resilience
These trees are keystone species in wetland and riparian ecosystems, filtering water, stabilizing soil, and supporting wildlife.
Responds to immediate threats
Invasive pests like the Emerald Ash Borer, along with habitat loss and climate shifts, are putting Black Ash on the brink.
Empowers communities as stewards
By combining Traditional Ecological Knowledge and modern science, communities lead the effort to map, monitor, and protect.

By weaving together ecological science and lived cultural experience, we cultivate a stronger, more inclusive approach to environmental stewardship—one that ensures Black Ash, and the ecosystems it supports, thrive for generations to come.

Anticipated Impact

This project will result in detailed habitat maps, trained community stewards, and stronger partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous groups. It will raise awareness through education, equip participants with real-world conservation skills, and produce actionable plans to protect Black Ash and its ecosystems. Most importantly, it creates a replicable model for community-driven, culturally informed biodiversity conservation across New Brunswick and beyond.

Project Objectives

1. Tree & Habitat Inventory
Conduct comprehensive surveys across wetlands, riversides, and Indigenous lands to:
- Map Black Ash populations using GIS
- Monitor tree health and environmental conditions
- Identify threats like the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB)
2. Community Training & Fieldwork
Create Hands-on workshops that will equip participants with skills in:
- Tree identification & habitat scoring
- GPS & mobile mapping tools
- Invasive species monitoring
- Led in collaboration with NBICC & MCFT, these sessions will empower a growing network of conservation stewards.
3. Knowledge Sharing & TEK Integration
Blend Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with science by:
- Hosting community workshops across Indigenous territories
- Gathering lived experiences and observations
- Co-creating conservation plans that reflect culture and ecology
4. Public Education & Awareness
Raise awareness across New Brunswick through:
- Educational resources for schools and communities
- Interactive webinars and events
- A dedicated online hub with videos, fact sheets & stories
5. Long-Term Stewardship & Action Planning
Ensure lasting impact:
- Develop site-specific restoration plans
- Build partnerships for funding and scaling
- Train future leaders in conservation and land care

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Resources

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Latest Blog

From Reflection to Action: USNN’s Response to the Greening Our Education

Posted on October 31, 2025

Seeing Our Schools Through the Lens of Sustainability This year’s Greening Our Education Survey 2025, released through the Sustainability Education Alliance (SEA), paints a revealing portrait of how New Brunswick’s...

Our Vision for the Future

Through this project, we aim to:

Empower future environmental leaders
Scale the model to other species at risk
Strengthen cultural and ecological ties

Acknowledging Our Supporters

With deep respect, we recognize the knowledge shared by Indigenous communities and the support of our conservation partners.

Frequently Asked Questions

Black Ash (Fraxinus nigra) is a culturally significant tree for many Indigenous communities—used in traditional crafts, medicine, and ceremonies. Ecologically, it supports wetland health, biodiversity, and water quality. Protecting it means preserving both natural ecosystems and cultural heritage.

Black Ash faces threats from:
- Climate change (flooding, droughts)
- Habitat loss (urban development, deforestation)
- Invasive species, especially the Emerald Ash Borer, which has devastated ash populations across North America.

The project aims to conserve Black Ash by:
Mapping and assessing its habitats, Training community stewards, Integrating Indigenous knowledge, Raising public awareness, and Developing long-term restoration strategies.

TEK is central to the project. We work closely with Indigenous communities to ensure their cultural knowledge, land observations, and conservation values inform all stages—from habitat assessments to education and planning.

We welcome:
- Indigenous and non-Indigenous community members
- Educators and students
- Environmental professionals and volunteers

All data—especially that involving Traditional Ecological Knowledge—is handled with care, consent, and respect. Public data (such as habitat maps) will help guide restoration efforts, and private or sensitive information will be shared only with approval from communities.

Get Involved

Interested in partnering, or learning more? We’d love to hear from you and chat with you more about this amazing project. Feel free to email us or fill out the form and we'll get back to you!
Email: coordinator@usnn.ca