by Southern Highlands Reserve | Oct 10, 2025 | News
SHR at the 2025 Outdoor Economy Conference This September, Executive Director Kelly Holdbrooks attended the 6th Annual Outdoor Economy Conference in Cherokee, NC—an event that brought together hundreds of leaders from conservation, business, education, and government...
by Southern Highlands Reserve | Oct 10, 2025 | News
While bees and butterflies often steal the spotlight, nocturnal pollinators—like moths, bats, and beetles—play an equally critical role in ecosystem health. These nighttime workers pollinate crops and wild plants under the cover of darkness, often more efficiently...
by Southern Highlands Reserve | Oct 10, 2025 | News
With Kelly Holdbrooks As autumn settles into the Blue Ridge Mountains, gardeners turn their attention to seasonal tasks that prepare the landscape for winter and spring renewal. We understand not everyone gardens at high elevation. For us, fall is quick and winter...
by Southern Highlands Reserve | Oct 10, 2025 | News
In late September 2024, Hurricane Helene swept through the Southern Blue Ridge Mountains, leaving a profound impact on communities across the region. Torrential rains—over 40 inches in some areas—triggered mudslides, flooded homes, and downed thousands of trees. Towns...
by Southern Highlands Reserve | Oct 10, 2025 | News
Dear Friends, As the golden hues of autumn settle across the mountains, I find myself reflecting on the profound beauty and resilience of this land—and the extraordinary community that surrounds it. This season, the forest is a symphony of transformation. Leaves blaze...
by Kelly Holdbrooks | Aug 4, 2025 | News
Dear Friends, As summer unfolds and we seek moments of stillness in the rush, I’ve found unexpected joy in following a red-eyed vireo through the garden. This small, elusive bird — with its pale olive-green plumage and persistent, meditative song — has become a gentle...
