Dear Friends,
As winter settles over the Southern Appalachian Mountains, Southern Highlands Reserve enters one of its most quietly powerful seasons. The forest canopy opens to the sky, the contours of the land reveal themselves, and the high elevation ecosystems we steward take their yearly pause. It’s a time that invites reflection—on the year behind us, the work ahead, and the enduring resilience of this remarkable landscape.
Here at Southern Highlands Reserve, winter is far from a dormant season. Our team is busy tending the foundational work that ensures the health of our native plant collections and the vitality of the ecosystems they represent. From monitoring red spruce restoration sites to caring for the plants overwintering in our greenhouse complex, this is the season when we prepare the ground—literally and figuratively—for the growth to come.
Winter also reminds us why conservation in the Southern Appalachians matters so deeply. These mountains hold some of the greatest biodiversity in North America, yet the species that depend on them face increasing pressures from climate change, invasive pests, and habitat loss. Every seed we propagate, every spruce we plant, and every partnership we strengthen contributes to the long term resilience of this region.
I am continually inspired by the community that surrounds and supports this work. Whether you visited the Reserve last year, volunteered your time, contributed to our conservation efforts, or simply shared our mission with others, you are part of the story we are writing together. Your commitment allows us to protect these high elevation ecosystems not just for today, but for generations who will walk these trails long after us.
As we look toward spring, I hope you’ll take a moment this winter to step outside and experience the quiet beauty of the season. Notice the structure of the forest, the birds that remain, the subtle shifts of light across the ridges. These small moments of connection are at the heart of why we do what we do.
Thank you for being part of the Southern Highlands Reserve community. Your support sustains our mission and strengthens the future of the Southern Appalachian landscape we all cherish.
With gratitude and hope,
Kelly M. Holdbrooks
Executive Director