# Event Details

- **Event Name**: 2026 Native Plant Symposium
- **Event Start and End Date**: Fri, 11 Sep, 2026 at 04:30 pm – Sat, 12 Sep, 2026 at 07:30 pm (-04:00)
- **Event Description**: Celebrating Native Plants: Diversity & Discovery
September 11–12, 2026
Highlands Biological Station
Highlands, North Carolina

Join us for an exploration of the extraordinary native plant diversity of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Located on the Highlands Plateau, Highlands Biological Station sits within one of the most botanically rich temperate regions in North America. From delicate spring ephemerals emerging through forest leaf litter to carnivorous plants thriving in mountain bogs, the Southern Appalachians support an exceptional diversity of native plants that shape entire ecosystems.

As Highlands Biological Station approaches its centennial year, we invite you to join us for Celebrating Native Plants: Diversity & Discovery, a two-day event bringing together scientists, naturalists, conservationists, gardeners, and plant enthusiasts to explore the plants that define this remarkable landscape.

Event Overview

Friday, September 11 — Free Community Day
Join us for a free, open-to-the-public day featuring garden tours and a native plant sale. Explore the Highlands Biological Station Botanical Garden, connect with fellow plant enthusiasts, and discover native species to bring into your own landscape.

Saturday, September 12 — Symposium ($150 Ticketed Event)
The symposium will feature a full day of presentations and conversations with leading experts in botany, ecology, and design. Participants will gain insight into the ecology, evolution, and conservation of native plants across the Southern Appalachian region.

Featured Speakers

David George Haskell
Biologist and award-winning author of The Forest Unseen and The Songs of Trees, David George Haskell is internationally recognized for illuminating the hidden ecological networks that connect forests, plants, and the broader web of life.

Preston Montague
Landscape architect, artist, and educator whose work explores the intersection of ecological design, art, and careful observation of nature, creating spaces that deepen our connection to the living world.

Alan Weakley
Botanist and Director of the UNC Herbarium, and author of the widely used Flora of the Southeastern United States, one of the most important references for plant identification across the region.

About Highlands Biological Station

For nearly a century, Highlands Biological Station has served as a gateway to understanding the remarkable biodiversity of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Generations of scientists, students, and visitors have come to the Plateau to study its ecosystems, explore its forests, and deepen their understanding of the natural world.

As the Station looks toward its centennial, Celebrating Native Plants: Diversity & Discovery honors this legacy of discovery while looking ahead to the future of research, education, and conservation.
We look forward to welcoming you to Highlands Biological Station as we celebrate a century of discovery and the remarkable native plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.
- **Event URL**: https://allevents.in/highlands/2026-native-plant-symposium/200029996563256
- **Event Categories**: art, literary-art
- **Interested Audience**: 
  - total_interested_count: 25

## Ticket Details


## Event venue details

- **city**: Highlands
- **state**: NC
- **country**: United States
- **location**: Highlands Biological Station
- **lat**: 35.052458630147
- **long**: -83.188292208347
- **full address**: Highlands Biological Station, 265 N 6th St,Highlands,NC,United States

## Event gallery

- **Alt text**: 2026 Native Plant Symposium
  - **Image URL**: https://cdn-az.allevents.in/events6/banners/1662e2a36cdbc538e0c860a62d80e60ac0e7d80b4c02753a6eab5482899be225-rimg-w851-h315-dcf4f4f1-gmir?v=1777369375

## FAQs

- **Q**: When and where is 2026 Native Plant Symposium being held?
  - **A:** 2026 Native Plant Symposium takes place on Fri, 11 Sep, 2026 at 04:30 pm to Sat, 12 Sep, 2026 at 07:30 pm at Highlands Biological Station, 265 N 6th St,Highlands,NC,United States.
- **Q**: Who is organizing 2026 Native Plant Symposium?
  - **A:** 2026 Native Plant Symposium is organized by Highlands Biological Station.
- **Q**: Who is this event for? Is it right for me?
  - **A:** 2026 Native Plant Symposium is ideal for art lovers, trade professionals, collectors, and exhibition enthusiasts exploring the latest in their field. Whether you're a first-time attendee or a longtime enthusiast in Highlands, this event is thoughtfully curated to deliver a standout experience worth every moment. If 2026 Native Plant Symposium sounds like your kind of event, don't wait - spots fill up fast.

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