Symbiosis: Listen to the Trees – Eco Echo
2026 | Sound Art / Public Art
An Eco Echo production in association with STO Union
Listen to the Trees is an immersive outdoor audio experience that invites visitors to discover the forest through music, storytelling and the voices of trees.
Created for the Sugarbush Trail (Sentier de la Sucrerie) in Gatineau Park, Chelsea, Quebec, the project offers a self-guided soundwalk in which twelve tree species are given a voice. Through original monologues and music, each tree shares aspects of its history, biology and cultural significance, inviting listeners to develop a deeper understanding of the forest and their relationship with the natural world.
The experience brings together ecological knowledge, Indigenous perspectives, storytelling and artistic creation. Presented in English, French and Anishinaabemowin, the recorded narratives are accompanied by original music composed by Carson Becke, with the participation of Julia MacLaine.
Using a free smartphone application, visitors will be able to follow the trail at their own pace. GPS technology will trigger music and stories as they move through the forest, creating an approximately 60-minute experience designed to be enjoyed throughout the year.
Listen to the Trees is part of Eco Echo’s continuing work at the intersection of environmental education, public art and ecological awareness. Presented in collaboration with the National Capital Commission (NCC), the project builds on Eco Echo’s earlier multidisciplinary initiative, Symbiosis: The Art of Nature.
Launching Soon
Listen to the Trees is preparing for its public launch.
Further details, including the official launch date and instructions for accessing the soundwalk, will be announced soon.
Creative Team and Partners
Production: Eco Echo (Outaouais Environmental Campus), in association with STO Union
Music: Carson Becke and Julia MacLaine — Collines en Musique
Research and writing collaboration: Louise Profeit-Leblanc and Alice-Irene Whitaker
Technical support: Taz Scott-Talib
Sound recording: Ross Murray — Happyrock Studio, Chelsea, Quebec
Additional research contributions: Botany Collections team, Canadian Museum of Nature, and Kitigan Zibi Guardians
Audio platform: Echoes — GPS-triggered soundwalk technology
Support and Partners
Listen to the Trees has received financial support from the MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais.
The project is presented on the Sugarbush Trail (Sentier de la Sucrerie) in Gatineau Park, in collaboration with the National Capital Commission (NCC).
For more information about Eco Echo, visit www.ecoecho.ca.