The emerald ash borer decimated the ash population across the state. For the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in Southwest Michigan, this meant the loss of mature black ash trees, culturally important for traditional basket making. Since then, many new invasive species have emerged that could cause harm to culturally significant trees in the tribe’s service area in southwest Michigan and northern Indiana. 

Join Vic Bogosian, Natural Resources Manager for the Pokagon Band's Kowabdanawa odë kė ('They watch over this land') to learn how they are taking a proactive approach, including education, tree surveys and response planning, to prepare for Asian longhorned beetle, spotted lanternfly, and beech leaf and beech bark diseases.