Lance Hardin - Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust

This space has described how, in 1909, the predecessor organization to the Highlands‑Cashiers Land Trust saved the summit of Satulah Mountain from development (November 2025). But there’s more to the story — once conserved, the mountain continued to play an important role in protecting the natural resources of our area.

Timber Rattlesnakes are often misunderstood, yet they play vital ecological roles and are a protected species in North Carolina.

Spring’s fleeting wildflowers are emerging across our forests, offering a brief, brilliant reminder of the rich biodiversity the Highlands‑Cashiers Land Trust works to protect.

HCLT’s annual book picks offer fresh inspiration for exploring the region’s landscapes and stories in 2026.

Ice has quietly shaped the Highlands-Cashiers landscape, leaving behind rare species, rugged cliffs, and enduring beauty.

In 1909, Highlands rallied to protect the summit of Satulah Mountain—one of the region’s earliest acts of grassroots conservation. More than a century later, that legacy still echoes with every step to the top.

Golden leaves and crisp air make fall the perfect season to hit the trails—and the newly opened Edward Baker Preserve near Cashiers offers over three miles of scenic paths through wetlands, hardwood forests, and ridge-top vistas. Just minutes from town, this dog-friendly haven is a tribute to biodiversity and a gift to hikers.

Though today’s woods may appear lush and mature, the forests that ring the communities of the Plateau are still recovering from widespread timbering a century ago. With intentional stewardship and natural disturbance, biodiversity is slowly returning to the Plateau.

Mr. Kelsey’s love of horticulture would lead him to Highlands’ peculiar frost-free apples and the founding of this unusual town.