We are at a very unique place and point in time in Western North Carolina post-Helene. Some 800,000 acres of forest were damaged by the hurricane, and we are just now beginning the long recovery process for our natural areas.

Since the storm, EcoForesters staff has been working with landowners to assess and address restoration challenges — both new and old. Our forests were already facing ongoing challenges like development, unsustainable logging, fire suppression, lack of oak regeneration, and climate change. Now, with the forest damage wreaked by Helene, all of these obstacles are harder to surmount. At the same time, the government agencies tasked with funding and overseeing the programs to support this restoration are dealing with major restructuring as well as reductions in staff and

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