From the Blog
The artisans, partnerships, and installations behind Echoes of the Forest — told from the trees, the workshops, and the communities they serve.
No posts in this category yet — more migrating soon.
Partnerships
April 9, 2026
Helene felled white oak across Western North Carolina. Green River Woods salvaged the timber. Appalachian Cooperage hand-built six barrels. Burial Beer Co. filled them with brown ale.
Read more →
Artisans
April 9, 2026
When the South Toe River rose 27 feet and destroyed the beloved Celo Inn, woodworker Paul Eisenhauer saw something beyond wreckage in the fallen hardwoods.
Read more →
Milestones
February 25, 2026
From a PBS documentary to a veterans' memorial, from the birthplace of American forestry to the heart of Asheville's Black community — what's coming this year.
Read more →
Helene & the Forest
February 15, 2026
Commission a custom wood art installation crafted from Helene-salvaged timber by Western North Carolina's finest artisans — for businesses, public spaces, and memorials.
Read more →
Partnerships
February 8, 2026
Two new additions to the Echoes of the Forest volunteer team, whose unique journeys reflect the resilience and community spirit that define Western North Carolina.
Read more →
Partnerships
January 25, 2026
How sponsoring an Echo creates lasting impact for the artisans, communities, and generations who carry Western North Carolina's story forward.
Read more →
Partnerships
January 5, 2026
A series of public art installations across Western North Carolina in 2026 — Tea for Two, the Biltmore Forest mantel, Echoes Beer, and the VA Hospital memorial bench.
Read more →
Partnerships
December 16, 2025
One year after Hurricane Helene, a look back at Echoes of the Forest's first year — the benches, the partnerships, and the artisans turning fallen trees into a trail across Western North Carolina.
Read more →
November 20, 2025
The story of one tree's remarkable journey from Biltmore Forest to Town Hall hearth — a vision that took root in the aftermath of Helene.
Read more →
November 20, 2025
Four organizations join forces to transform fallen trees into vessels of hope — Appalachian Cooperage, Green River Woods, Burial Beer Co., and Echoes of the Forest.
Read more →
October 9, 2025
On the Grand Garden Promenade at the North Carolina Arboretum, transformation takes tangible form — a live-edge bench from the heart of the storm.
Read more →
September 25, 2025
What began as heartbreak after Helene has blossomed into hope and healing — and a story now gaining national attention.
Read more →
September 5, 2025
Behind-the-scenes work building partnerships and promoting our woodworkers and the overall project.
Read more →
July 17, 2025
A powerful collaboration with the North Carolina Arboretum blooms this fall — a celebration of wood, wonder, and renewal.
Read more →
June 18, 2025
The first Echo art unveiling on June 12, 2025, in Asheville's River Arts District — a stunning installation crafted by Chester Shuey from hurricane-salvaged wood.
Read more →
May 13, 2025
The story behind Mike Ayers' powerful Mountain Man sculpture, carved from a Hurricane Helene walnut tree — honoring Western North Carolina's resilience through art.
Read more →
May 12, 2025
The story behind the first public art unveiling — a stunning sculpture crafted from a salvaged Hurricane Helene tree, debuting June 12 in Asheville's River Arts District.
Read more →
April 22, 2025
What Finland — birthplace of one of our team's grandmothers — teaches us about the relationship between humans and trees.
Read more →
April 10, 2025
A summary of key points from NOAA's Hurricane Helene Report related to Western North Carolina.
Read more →
Milestones
March 15, 2025
A welcome letter from founder Liisa Andreassen on the official launch of Echoes of the Forest — and an invitation to be part of what comes next.
Read more →
