The Village Nature Series

The Village Nature Series 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. This year, we are bringing these presentations to you virtually!

Thank you to Cedar Creek Club for sponsoring these programs!

2020 Village Nature Series Live Recordings:

"Sheltering Well, In Place On Earth" 
​with Professor Jim Veteto

 April 22nd
This is the 50th anniversary of Earth Day and the theme this year is climate change. Climate change represents the biggest challenge to the future of humanity and the life-support systems that make our world habitable. Professor Veteto will be sharing about small-holder gardening and foraging which are important elements of agroecology. He will be presenting from the Appalachian Insitute for Mountain Studies, a living laboratory.

"Buzz-Worthy Insects"
with Spriggly's Beescaping

May 26th
This Village Nature Series features Jill and Brannen from Spriggly's Beescaping sharing the power of native pollinators and offer tips for supporting native pollinators in your garden. 

"Rock Talk"
with Bill Jacobs

June 30th
Bill Jacobs, author of Whence These Special Places? - The Geology of Cashiers, Highlands & Panthertown Valley, leads a discussion about the geology that shaped our favorite local mountains and waterfalls. He explores the geologic processes, spread over more than 500 million years, that have shaped our extraordinary landscape here on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.

"Survival by Degrees"
with Tom Tribble

July 28th
Learn about the impact of climate change on birds in the Highlands-Cashiers area and ways to be part of a solution to the threat with Tom Tribble from the Blue Ridge Chapter Audubon Society.

"The Lady of the Forest"
with Ila Hatter

August 25
Join us for this program featuring renown female naturalist, Ila Hatter, demonstrating how to bring Mother Nature's pantry to your medicine cabinet. ​

"Edible Fungi"
with Joey Kyle

September 29
Joey Kyle, the farm manager at Many Hands Peace Farm at The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center in Highlands, will share his vast knowledge of mushrooms. Learn about some of the tastiest wild mushrooms in these woods as well as the common poisonous, lethal, medicinal, and other fantastic fungi that inhabit the plateau. In addition, explore how the fungi kingdom can break down plastics, clean oil spills, boost our immune systems, combat noxious pests, and be a sustainable vegan source of protein.