Celebrating Native Plants
DIVERSITY & DISCOVERY
September 11–12, 2026
Highlands Biological Station
Celebrating the remarkable native plant diversity of the Southern Appalachians as we look ahead to Highlands Biological Station’s Centennial in 2027.
Schedule of Events
Friday, September 11
Native Plant Sale & Garden Tours
Location: Highlands Biological Station
Join us on Friday for a day celebrating native plants at Highlands Biological Station. The day will include a native plant sale, guided tours of the HBS Botanical Garden and campus grounds, and opportunities to learn more about Saturday’s symposium programming, including speaker presentations and a live plant auction.
Native Plant Sale
Time: 12:00–5:00 PM
Location: Sto Pavilion and/or the terrace entrance area of North Campus
The native plant sale will feature a selection of plants for purchase, with designated loading areas available in the parking lot. Sale and checkout areas will be clearly marked.
Guided Tours
Tour Times: 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 2:00 PM, and 4:00 PM
Tour Length: Approximately 1 hour
Guided tours will highlight the HBS Botanical Garden, campus grounds, and select Station facilities. Tour routes and meeting locations will be announced closer to the event.
Saturday, September 12
Speaker Program, Reception & Live Plant Auction
Location: Highlands Community Building
Time: 1:30–6:30 PM
Saturday’s symposium program will feature presentations by leading voices in botany, conservation, landscape design, art, and natural history, followed by a reception and live plant auction benefiting the Highlands Biological Station Botanical Garden.
1:30 PM
Doors Open
Registration, book table, refreshments, and gathering time.
2:00 PM
Welcome & Opening Remarks
Opening remarks will highlight accomplishments, current projects, and exciting future plans for the HBS Botanical Garden, including connections to the Station’s upcoming centennial.
2:15–3:00 PM
Talk 1 + Q&A
Dr. Alan Weakley
Director of the UNC Herbarium, North Carolina Botanical Garden
3:00–3:45 PM
Talk 2 + Q&A
Preston Montague
Landscape Architect and Artist
3:45–4:00 PM
Break
4:00–5:00 PM
Talk 3 + Q&A + Book Signing
Dr. David Haskell
Writer and Biologist
Presentation: How Flowers Made Our World
5:00–6:30 PM
Reception & Live Plant Auction
Enjoy a closing reception and live auction featuring rare and special plants, with proceeds supporting the Highlands Biological Station Botanical Garden.
Auctioneer: To be announced.