Upcoming Events

On November 12th, 2026, we will celebrate our fifth anniversary as the Appalachian Highlands Chapter. The chapter only holds one chapter meeting a year, and the great thing is that it is an in-person meeting where we get to meet new and returning members.

There will be a short business meeting to include the State of the Chapter report, as well as election of officers for 2027. This is the time the Board will present the proposed slate of officers for the coming year. This information will be mailed out 30 days in advance of the meeting per chapter by-laws. The members can approve the slate as presented or submit nominations from the floor.

The chapter is reaching the end of the initial 3-year Strategic Plan. The Board will present a summary of our accomplishments and present our new Long-Range Plan. The members will have an opportunity to make suggestions about issues the Board should focus on for the next 3 years.

Water, coffee and light sandwiches will be provided. You are welcome to bring your favorite “small bites” and please wear your nametag. We will have name tags for new members; some unclaimed older name tags. If you have misplaced yours, please send a message to the chapter email address and we will provide a new one at the meeting.

We usually have door prizes to give away. I don’t know what those are yet. If you have anything to donate, please let us know. As the outgoing President, I would consider it a personal favor if you could join us.

The Summit building is set back from Volunteer Parkway with an access road between Eastman Credit Union and Bank of Tennessee. There is a cut-through on the Parkway divide for a left turn if you are coming from the downtown Bristol area.

The Board sincerely hopes you will make every effort to attend. We spend more time socializing and having fun than conducting business.

Planting native species is an important step toward creating habitat, but how can you tell what’s working, what’s missing, and where to focus your efforts next?

Join Wild Ones and Wildr Places for The Habitat Check-up, a free webinar exploring a practical, science-informed approach to evaluating your home landscape. Presenter Zoe Evans will introduce five key areas to consider when assessing habitat and share how thoughtful observations can help guide your next steps.

Whether you’re just getting started with native plants or have been gardening for years, this webinar will help you look at your landscape through a new lens.

Have you longingly gazed at native seeds along a roadside, admired a plant on public land, or wondered if you could take just a little cutting home to propagate? The rules around collecting native plants and seeds can be complicated, hard to find, and variable.

Join environmental biologist Cecilia Boyd with Wild Ones Appalachian Highlands for a practical look at wild collecting across Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina. We will explain how to stay on the side of the law when gathering from private property, roadsides, parks, national forests, and other public lands, and demystify when permission or permits may be required. We will also discuss ethical collecting practices to protect wild plant populations so that we may responsibly propagate and share regionally adapted native plants.

What You’ll Learn

By the end of this webinar, participants will be able to:

Find and apply appropriate laws, regulations, and agency resources for collecting around Tennessee, Virginia, and North Carolina.Determine when permission, permits, or other authorization may be required before collecting.Identify special considerations for rare, threatened, or protected plant species.Practice responsible collecting from wild plant populations.

No yard required. Learn how native plants can turn patios, balconies, containers, and other small spaces into meaningful habitat for pollinators and other wildlife. This practical panel will cover plant selection, container design, seasonal care, and realistic ways to support biodiversity in limited spaces.

Registration link coming soon.

Join design educator and naturalist Kelly Celeste Porter at Steele Creek Nature Center Saturday, January 23, from 1-3 PM for an engaging introduction to nature journaling—a creative, beginner-friendly practice that combines observation, sketching, writing, and curiosity. Discover how to see the natural world with fresh eyes, spark your creativity, and enjoy a mindful break from your phone. 

We’ll have a brief presentation to discuss the benefits of nature journaling followed by a hands-on workshop filled with fun activities, fresh inspiration, and ideas to take your journaling journey anywhere! No artistic experience or expertise needed—just bring your curiosity. 

Participation in this event will be limited to maintain a high-quality experience for all attendees.  Register by email to:  [email protected]

There will be a $2.00 parking fee.

Birds depend on healthy, connected habitats for food, shelter, nesting, and migration support. Join experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology to explore how native plants and thoughtful landscape choices can support birdlife at home. Learn how gardens, yards, and community spaces can provide the insects, seeds, berries, cover, and habitat structure birds need throughout the year.

Registration link coming soon. 

Monarch butterflies depend on a network of habitats stretching across North America, and home landscapes can play an important role in their survival. Join experts from Monarch Joint Venture to explore the science behind monarch conservation, including the importance of milkweed, nectar resources, and regionally appropriate habitat. Learn practical ways to support monarchs through native landscaping and help sustain one of the world's most remarkable migrations.
 

Registration link coming soon.