In recent decades, a new threat has endangered the basketmaking tradition in Maine -- the emerald ash borer, an invasive beetle which kills ash trees. On May 29, 2018, the presence of the emerald ash borer beetle in Maine was officially confirmed by the Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry.

Ash and sweetgrass baskets are one of the best-known Wabanaki art forms, and many people make or supplement their income through basket production. The Abbe’s new exhibit, The Basket Tree co-curated by Darren Ranco (Penobscot) and Jennifer Neptune (Penobscot), explores the ability of the Wabananki to protect this important cultural resource on and off reservation lands, so that livelihoods of Maine’s Indian basketmakers can continue and flourish for generations to come.