News & Updates
The Aftermath of Hurricane Helene
A Report from Southern Highlands Reserve Hurricane Helene brought unprecedented devastation to the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, and the aftermath of this natural...
Gardener’s Corner — Fall 2024
With Kelly Holdbrooks Fall carries similar energy felt in spring, creating a sense of urgency. As conditions change in the environment, we humans shift just like the...
Gardener’s Corner — Summer 2024
With Director of Horticulture Eric Kimbrel Just as gardening is an action, gardens are dynamic. Planting designs evolve over time. This spring and early summer, we...
Notes from the Field: Red Spruce
The air is misty and quiet, with only birdsong and sunlight filtering through the canopy. The ground is spongy with a thick mat of spruce needles falling year after...
Biltmore Joins SHR Restoration Efforts
More than a century after creating the first American forestry management plan, Biltmore is joining forces with Southern Highlands Reserve to restore the high elevation...
Gardener’s Corner — Spring 2024
With Director of Horticulture Eric Kimbrel Spring has sprung and we are buzzing around the garden trying to keep pace with Mother Nature. Preening and caretaking is...
One Salamander’s Life
A wayward salamander appeared in the Lodge one recent morning. She was motionless with her head up, blinking in the sunlight. Morning tasks for two of us came to a halt...
Geology of Toxaway Mountain and Southern Highlands Reserve
By Robb Turner Many readers who have enjoyed the garden tour at Southern Highlands Reserve will remember that most of the rock there was hauled up the mountain to the...
A World Evolving
By Terry Ashley Plants and animals have developed astonishing adaptations to ensure survival in the face of changing environmental conditions. From early stages of...