The Village Nature Series (VNS) is co-hosted by The Village Green and Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust and features experts in their field presenting on wildlife, habitats, conservation, and local cultural heritage. Traditionally, these events are held at The Village Green Commons in Cashiers, NC on the last Tuesday of every month during the summer season.
Programs are FREE, family-friendly, no registration needed, rain or shine.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring these programs!
Programs are FREE, family-friendly, no registration needed, rain or shine.
Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring these programs!
2025 Village Nature Series
Join us from 5:30-6:30pm at the Village Green Commons at The Village Green, once a month April - September
April 29th | Tuning into the language of the Forest: an introduction to Birding by EarTopher Stephens, Birders of the Tuckaseegee, Wild Remembering
In this one hour presentation followed by a one hour bird walk, we'll tune in to the secret language of the forest and learn the tools we need to start identifying local birds by their songs and calls. We'll tune in to the distinct features that make each bird's song beautifully unique. By gaining an understanding of qualities such as pitch, volume, speed, rhythm, texture, and repetition, ANYONE can begin to identify birds by sound and take their birding skills to the next level. No prior birding or musical experience is necessary! Absolute beginners are welcome! |
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May 27th | Landslides in WNC
Jennifer Bryson Bauer, Landslide Consultants
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This talk will focus on the types of landslides we see occurring in western NC, why understanding landslides is important and some of the resources that are available to better understand them. She will include stories from landslides triggered by Hurricane Helene.
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June 10th | Fungi Fanatics Gina Patton, Balsam Mountain Trust
Join Gina Patton of Balsam Mountain Trust to learn about the fantastic world of fungi!
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June 25th | A Tale of Three WatershedsCallie D. Moore, Western Regional Director, MountainTrue
Learn what a watershed is and about the three watersheds that drain the Cashiers area of the Highlands plateau. Where do the rivers go when they leave the plateau? Do they all contain the same species of fish and other aquatic life? This talk is meant to provide a basic understanding of streams and rivers in the Cashiers area, as well as threats to their quality and what we can do to protect them.
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July 30th | The World of Monarch ButterfliesJoyce Pearson, Monarch Watch
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Youth Village Nature Series
August 12th | Marsh Magic
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Hope Corbin, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
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Join HCLT to learn about the wonderful world of an Appalachian Bog! We will be exploring the Village Green trails to see the wonderful organisms that live in this unique ecosystem.
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August 19th | Experience the Mountains: The Four SeasonsBryan Heller, Piano Mountain
Experience a live piano musical journey through the four seasons of the north Carolina mountains, featuring all original video and music created, composed, and performed by Bryan Heller
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September 30th | Mindful Management of Common Invasive PlantsRaven Sterling, Raven Invasive Plant Management
Invasive plants destroy crucial habitat for wildlife, trees, and native plants, while simultaneously threatening and dramatically reducing biodiversity. Demonstrating a holistic approach, Raven shares successes in mechanical removal and management of common invasive plants. In addition to dramatically reducing the amount and severity of invasive plant infestations that treat the health and viability of our land, forests, and waterways, the long-term costs and consequences of the work are undeniably less severe. They serve, rather than harm, the overarching system that sustains life. Holistic practices improve soil and water quality, protect and restore rapidly diminishing habitat for a host of wildlife, increase biodiversity of plant and animal life, and create opportunities for native plant species to rebound and thrive. Raven demonstrates that mindful management is highly effective and improves the health and viability of the land and the life that depends on it.
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Youth Village Nature Series
October 14th | Spooky Spiders of North Carolina
Brian Bockhahn
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Youth Village Nature Series
December 2nd | Wild foraged holiday Tea making
Jessica Blackburn, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust
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Join HCLT for a special kids Village Nature series to learn about wild foraging, and create your own herbal tea mix with ingredients found in the forest!
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