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 | Fantastic fungiWhen: June 10th, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC 28717 Join HCLT & The Village Green for our first Youth focused Village Nature Series of the year! Step into the fascinating world of fungi with Hope Corbin of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust in this fun and interactive youth-focused program! Designed for curious young minds, this hands-on experience will introduce kids to the strange and wonderful world of mushrooms and other fungi. Through guided exploration, games, and up-close discovery, participants will learn how fungi grow, where to find them, and why they play such an important role in our forests. Led by HCLT’s own Hope Corbin, this program encourages curiosity, environmental awareness, and a deeper connection to the natural world—all while having fun outdoors. Free and open to all. |
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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 ButterfliesWhen: July 30th, 5:30-6:30pm
Where: The Village Green of Cashiers Join HCLT & The Village Green for our June Village Nature Series! Presenter: Joyce Pearsall, Monarch Watch Title: The World of Monarch Butterflies Description: “The World of Monarch Butterflies”, provides an engaging overview of monarch biology, migration, and conservation. It begins with current population updates, highlighting threats like habitat loss and climate change, then explores the monarch’s life cycle, unique traits, and reliance on milkweed. The talk also covers their remarkable multi-generational migration and introduces Monarch Watch’s conservation efforts, including citizen science and educational resources, aiming to inspire further study and involvement. Free & Open to all. |
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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.
This will be a fully outdoor program. Rain or shine! |
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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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When: October 14th, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Where: The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Rd. Cashiers, NC 28717 Join HCLT & The Village Green for our October Youth Village Nature Series! Presenter: Brian Bockhahn Description: Join Brian Bockhahn of the North Carolina Biodiversity Project, co-author of the Arachnids of NC database Spiders of North Carolina, for a spider hike at Village Green. After an introduction using a giant foam spider, we'll learn about the body parts and life habits of spiders. Then we'll hike around the building and trails looking for some of our area spiders. We may even get a chance to use some nets and other equipment to try to catch some of the non web building spiders. Free & Open to all. |
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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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