Echoes of the Forest shares Helene story through salvaged wood from the storm

ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828NewsNow.com) — Some of the travelers coming off Asheville Regional Airport flights left with more than just their luggage at the baggage claim area on Nov. 5 — they left with Helene debris transformed into works of art.

The nonprofit group Echoes of the Forest partnered with the airport and shared the story of Helene salvaged wood with travelers by handing out Christmas tree ornaments shaped like airplanes that were made by Appalachian woodworkers.

“After Hurricane Helene happened, we worked with about 15 local woodworkers. They have been working with us to create public art from the downed trees,” Liisa Andreassen, Founder and Executive Director of Echoes of the Forest, told 828NewsNow.

The airplane Christmas ornaments being handed out to travelers were made by Mike Ayers of Whetstone Woodworks. Ayers crafted the ornaments from a Helene-fallen pine tree in Haywood County, Andreassen said. Those ornaments were handed out to the first 500 visitors.

Echoes of the Forest was joined by the North Carolina Cradle of Forestry, which also shared the story of how Helene affected forests in Western North Carolina.

“Western North Carolina is home to many of the firsts in forestry, and we are so thrilled to be partnering with Echoes of the Forest to share this history. The Cradle of Forestry is open seasonally, April through November, and we invite you to come explore our trails and see our very own Echo statues in the 2027 season,” said Brayden Benkiel-Robinson, Director of Engagement for FIND Outdoors.

Visitors at the airport were also able to see finished pieces by Echoes of the Forest artisans, including bowls and a topographic mountain sculpture by Mickey Strivelli. There was also a video running on a large television about how Echoes of the Forest began and what its mission is.

“The airport is where people arrive in these mountains, and we wanted them to learn about our forests and how important they are to us,” Andreassen said. “Every ornament, every bowl, every bench we make started as a tree the storm took down. This partnership puts that story in front of more than two million travelers a year.”

The Strivelli topographic mountain sculpture, carved from Helene salvaged wood, was on display for good reason. On Nov. 6, Asheville Regional Airport will launch a social media contest for people to win the sculpture. Entry details will be posted on the airport’s website and social media channels.

Echoes of the Forest artwork will also appear on the airport’s gate-area screens from Nov. 16-23.

“The Greater Asheville Regional Airport Authority is proud to partner with organizations like Echoes of the Forest that celebrate the unique character and resilience of Western North Carolina,” said Lew Bleiweis, President & CEO of Asheville Regional Airport, in a news release. “Our airport serves as a gateway to this beautiful region, and opportunities like this allow us to connect travelers with the people, stories and traditions that make our community special.”

More information about Echoes of the Forest is available at the group’s website.