Native Plant Trust honors Daigle for leadership in ash tree conservation

John Daigle, professor of forest recreation management at the University of Maine, is receiving the 2024 Regional Impact Award from Native Plant Trust, a plant conservation organization focused solely on New England’s native plants. The award recognizes regionally significant leadership and achievement in conservation, horticulture and education. 

A citizen member of Penobscot Nation, Daigle created the Ash Protection Collaboration Across Wabanakik in 2023. The group works to raise awareness of the cultural and ecological significance of black ash trees and provide strategies to protect them from invasive species, specifically the emerald ash borer. 

“I’ve been really pleased to see the interest by so many in learning more about how black ash trees are threatened by the emerald ash borer, the implications to cultural traditions of our indigenous peoples in the Northeast and the vital ecological roles of ash trees in our forests,” Daigle said. “As people learn more about the value of ash trees, I think this helps trigger more interest and support in efforts to sustain ash trees as an important component of our natural forests. I’m truly honored to be recognized by this award, and I greatly appreciate Native Plant Trust for shedding more light on this regional concern.”

Daigle will accept the award and present his research, “Building a Community of Interest and Response to an Invasive Species, Emerald Ash Borer, Threatening Maine’s Ash Trees and Wabanaki Cultural Lifeways,” from 3:30-5 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16 at the Boston Public Library Central Library in Copley Square.The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required and available online.