Donor Stories

Nature’s Throne” Sculpture Donated by Artist Linda Pannullo

Located in the Education Center Plaza, Nature’s Throne invites visitors of all ages to explore its intricate design through an interactive scavenger hunt. The piece showcases 44 representations of southeastern biodiversity, including 15 North Carolina state symbols. Click here for a full list of featured flora and fauna.

Linda shared: “The chair was inspired by my love of the outdoors and deep appreciation for living in this beautiful area. I hope people will see the interconnectivity of nature and take action to protect it.

Honoring Eric: A Son’s Legacy Connects and Inspires

Longtime members and friends of The North Carolina Arboretum, Jayne Anderson and Larry Weigel have made a significant impact on the Arboretum’s programs and mission through their meaningful contributions in memory of their beloved son Eric Weigel. Inspired by Eric’s kindness, compassion, love for science, photography, nature, and the outdoors, their generous gifts have supported several areas across the Arboretum.

Their funding, in partnership with the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation (BRPF), provided support to dedicate the BRPF’s Kids in Parks TRACK Trail along the Arboretum’s Natural Garden Trail in memory of Eric,

Donor Profile: Bret Gorman

Katie, who’s now 22, was one of the Arboretum’s youth camp’s inaugural campers, and was among the first to register every year after that. “We’d wait for the day they released the camp syllabuses. Some were so popular that they’d disappear in a day, so we’d quickly sign up for all the ones she wanted to do,” Bret said, “She wanted to do just about everything.”

Her love for the Arboretum didn’t stop when she grew up. Throughout high school and college she found ways to get involved – interning in the summer and helping out with the Eco Explore program virtually. After college, Katie still continues to come back to the Arboretum, assisting with our Adult Education Programs.

Richard R. Ransom Library Memorial Tribute

The North Carolina Arboretum is honored to announce the naming of the Richard R. Ransom Library, located on the second floor of the Education Center. This meaningful tribute was made possible through the generosity of Mary Rubin, whose heartfelt gift in memory of her beloved husband, Richard “Dick” Ransom, also supports the Arboretum’s Helene Recovery Efforts.

Mary and Dick’s relationship with the Arboretum began in 2019, when they became members and frequent visitors, dividing their time between their homes in Florida and Asheville.

Sacred Earth

We are honored to announce a new addition to the Arboretum’s permanent art collection: Sacred Earth, a cast bronze sculpture created by Cherokee Nation member Karen Sixkiller and dedicated in memory of Joan Sandgren Bridges.

Joan’s family chose the Arboretum for this unique and meaningful tribute, as the gardens were a special place for her; she visited often during her 30 years in Asheville, where she spent the final years of her life. Located in the Stream Garden, Sacred Earth explores magical realism and symbolism, combining a larger-than-life water beetle with the faceted, geometric “mud” it perches on. It tells one of the oldest Cherokee stories where a humble water beetle dove to the bottom of the ocean and brought up mud to create all the solid land we now live on.