2024 Community Offerings
Walking Wednesday - Continuous through the Fall and Winter
This fall and winter, Highlands - Cashiers Land Trust will be holding bi-monthly hikes. Everyone is welcome to join these hikes, especially those who are interested in exploring the public access properties of Highlands and Cashiers. All hikes are easy-moderate, free, and open to all age groups. Kelsey Trail Preserve and Rhododendron Park, Kelsey-Hutchinson Park, 411-499 Pine St., Highlands, NC, November 13th, 9:30-11:00am Whiteside Mnt, 91-170 Deville Dr, Highlands, NC, November 27th, 4:30-6:00 pm Edward Baker Preserve, Kettle Creek Rd, Cashiers, December 11th, 9:30-11:00am Cashiers Ramble, 160 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, January 8th, 9:30-11:00am Ravenel Park, 131 Highlands Gate Dr, Highlands January 22nd, 3:30-5pm Dixon Woods Park, Bowery Road, February 12th, 9:30-11:00am Chattooga Gorge Trail, Bull Pen Rd, February 26th, 3:30-5pm Brushy Face Preserve, 976 Brushy Face Rd, Highlands, NC, 9:30-11:00am Satulah Mountain, 411-499 Pine St, Highlands, NC, March 26th:5-6:30pm Questions? contact [email protected], 828.526.1111 |
November 6th - SEED SAVING AT Sassafras Gap
When: Wednesday, November 6th, 3:00pm - 5:30pm
Where: Sassafras Gap Preserve, 35.011137, -83.195866 https://maps.app.goo.gl/7PucWzu5jFRbiveAA. Down HWY 28, just beyond Sassafras Gap Rd. On Friday, November 6th from 3:00pm – 5:30pm, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust educational staff will be hosting a free, drop-in, informal, do-it-yourself native seed gathering event at Sassafras Gap Preserve! Come out to the meadow with some pruners, gloves, and a collection bag to collect native seeds for your yard and/or to share with your community! The highlight species of meadow habitat is a special sunflower, known as Bear's Foot Sunflower, Smallanthus uvedalia! Bear's foot is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family that can be found in all areas of NC. It is native to eastern and central USA although it is becoming rare in some states. It can be found growing at woodland edges, meadows, along streams, and open woods. The large lobed leaves cup the stem giving it the common name of hairy leafcup and the shape of the leaf gives it the name of bear's foot. We will be available for questions and info on plant ID, sustainable seed collection, the importance of native plants, cleaning and storing seeds, propagation, educational materials on native landscaping, and more! This is also a great opportunity to come out and meet us, learn about the meadow, conservation, and all things HCLT. We will also have some screens available to start the seed cleaning process on site. Interested in joining us, but unsure about collecting our own seeds? We will be around to help out! Questions? Email [email protected] |
November 7th - Neighbors for conservation event at camp merrie-woode
Hey Cashiers, Highlands, and Sapphire neighbors! We are hosting our second Neighbors for Conservation Event on Thursday, November 7 and would love for you to join us. All members of the community are welcome. If you plan on attending or if you have any questions, please email [email protected]. We hope to see you all there!
We are thankful to have wonderful support from local organizations who are co-sponsoring the event, including Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, Oconee Bell Chapter of the NC Native Plant Society, North Carolina Native Plant Society - Land of the Sky Chapter, and The Village Green. These non-profits are champions of conservation in our community, and we are excited to have them involved. |
November 13th: Walking Wednesday: Kelsey Trail and Rhododendron Park
When: November 13th, 9:30-11:00am
Meet at: Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park, 411-499 Pine St Join the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust for a fall hike at Kelsey Trail Preserve and Rhododendron Park-- both protected and owned by Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. This hike is a moderate 2.5 mile loop. This event is free and open to all! Please bring water and appropriate clothes for walking outside. Questions? Contact [email protected] Únase al Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust para una caminata de otoño en Kelsey Trail Preserve y Rhododendron Park, protegida y propiedad de Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust. Esta caminata es un circuito moderado de 2.5 millas. ¡Este evento es gratuito y abierto a todos! Por favor, traiga agua y ropa adecuada para caminar al aire libre. Preguntas? Contacto [email protected] |
nOVEMBER 15TH - sEED SAVING AT MCKINNEY mEadow
When: Friday, November 15th, from 3:00pm – 5:30 pm
Where: Cashiers School Rd, Cashiers, NC 28717 Mckinney Meadow is an example of a highly biodiverse Southern Appalachian wildflower meadow with heath bald characteristics, named one of the most biodiverse meadows by UNC professors. It has been owned and stewarded by the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust since 2017. This meadow is filled with diverse native wildflowers that provide vital habitat for a wide variety of pollinators and other wildlife. During the autumn months, many of these plants produce seeds. On Wednesday, November 15th from 3:00pm – 5:30pm, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust educational staff & Oconee Bells Chapter of the Native Plant Society will be hosting a free, drop-in, informal, do-it-yourself native seed gathering event at McKinney Meadow! Come out to the meadow with some pruners, gloves, and a collection bag to collect native seeds for your yard and/or to share with your community! We will be available for questions and info on plant ID, sustainable seed collection, the importance of native plants, cleaning and storing seeds, propagation, educational materials on native landscaping, and more! This is also a great opportunity to come out and meet us, learn about the meadow, conservation, and all things HCLT & NPS. We will also have some screens available to start the seed cleaning process on site. Interested in joining us, but unsure about collecting our own seeds? We will be around to help out! Questions? Email [email protected] |