The Library as Tree-Keeper: Safeguarding Cultural & Environmental Heritage: This project includes a digital conference poster and video presentation exploring the shared challenges and successes of safeguarding cultural and environmental heritage in the regions of Sub-Saharan Africa and the areas of New England and the Canadian Maritimes. Specifically, this research investigates the role that trees play in sustaining indigenous communities on multiple levels and how libraries contribute to that process. View the video presentation.

M. W. West has just completed the iSchool program and is looking forward to pursuing a career in instructional librarianship. With an undergraduate degree in Comparative Literature, she has enjoyed working as a national park ranger, organic gardener, ESL instructor, and wooden boat builder. For the past few years, M. W. West has thrived serving in public libraries to connect the people of Maine with the information they seek.