Preserving Driftwood

Several years ago I found some interesting sticks on a beach on the Olympic Peninsula of Washington State. My thought was to use them as ornamentation on projects. I'm sure they washed up from the ocean and they have been sun bleached. I would like to use one as a handle for the box pictured. Currently the stick feels solid but I'm concerned about it turning to dust going forward.

I do not want to apply finish to the stick as I want to retain the natural appearance.
I am wondering if anyone...

Preserving Driftwood