Highlands Biological Station is pleased to announce our biennial Native Plant Symposium coming in September 2026—a cornerstone educational event that brings together scientists, naturalists, gardeners, and plant enthusiasts to explore the rich botanical heritage of our region. This symposium not only celebrates native plant diversity, but also supports the ongoing work of the HBS Botanical Gardens through both community engagement and fundraising.

As we gather this season, we also look ahead with excitement to 2027, when Highlands Biological Station will begin celebrating its centennial—a milestone marking 100 years of formal establishment, and a century of inquiry, education, and connection to this extraordinary landscape.

We are delighted to welcome an inspiring group of featured speakers:

David George Haskell – biologist and award-winning author of The Forest Unseen and The Songs of Trees. Haskell is internationally known for illuminating the hidden connections that link plants, people, and the broader web of life. He will be speaking on his forthcoming book, How Flowers Made Our World: The Story of Nature’s Revolutionaries (Penguin Random House, releasing next month).

Preston Montague – landscape architect, artist, and educator whose work explores the intersection of ecological design, art, and close observation of nature. Montague invites audiences to experience landscapes through both a scientific and creative lens.

Alan Weakley – botanist, Director of the UNC Herbarium, and author of the widely used Flora of the Southeastern United States. Weakley is one of the foremost authorities on plant identification and taxonomy in the Southeast and has helped shape modern understanding of the region’s extraordinary plant diversity.

The symposium will span two days and will include a Native Plant Sale and tours through the HBS Botanical Gardens on Friday, followed by a full day of programming on Saturday featuring keynote talks, a native plant live auction, and a reception.