Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) workshop at HBEF: Hands-on training in how to help enable lingering ash detection for resistance breeding

Although emerald ash borer (EAB) typically kills nearly 100% of mature native ash, a small percentage not only survive, but remain healthy years after the rest of the nearby ash have been killed. These trees, found for every widespread Northeastern species, are known as “lingering ash” and can be used to breed resistant native ash.

The Ecological Research Institute developed the Monitoring and Managing Ash (MaMA) program, which facilitates lingering ash detection through data collection and appropriate management practices. MaMA has already achieved lingering ash detection in New York, with material collected for resistance breeding at Cornell University. The program is supported by the Tree in Peril initiative led by The Nature Conservancy in collaboration with the US Forest Service.

The MaMA program leaders, Jonathan Rosenthal and Dr. Radka Wildova, will be facilitating the workshop at HBEF. The workshop will teach you how to participate in MaMA’s research and incorporate lingering ash detection into management. It will include setting up a plot for the MaMA Monitoring Plots Network. If you have any questions, please email them to outreach@MonitoringAsh.org.

Visitors must dress appropriately for walking in the woods the day of the visit. Sturdy walking/hiking shoes and trekking poles are highly recommended, and rain gear and warm hats may be needed if the weather is variable. There are no food services available at the Experimental Forest. We request that trash and food are picked up by visitors before they depart, abiding by all “Leave No Trace” principles. Bathroom facilities and water fountains are available on site at the Headquarters building. Vehicles taking visitors into the Experimental Forest will drive on a single lane well maintained dirt road for approximately 1.5 miles to the trailhead where the tours begin. Groups will meet at the Headquarters building before heading up into the forest. The headquarters building can be found at 234 Mirror Lake Road. North Woodstock, NH 03262.

We can accommodate up to 15 people in this workshop. Registration is required HERE.