Happy 50th Earth Day (Let’s Celebrate for a Week)

Written By: - NONE - | Issue: 2020/03 - March

The Highlands Chamber of Commerce has always been a supporter of efforts to preserve Highlands’ natural heritage.    

That’s why it stages the Gorge Cleanup in the spring and autumn and why it’s partnered with conservation groups over the decades.

Naturally, conservation has been a driving force in the development of Highlands, dating back to the Foundation of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust in 1909. 

With all that, Earth Day is a big deal on the Plateau, especially when America celebrates the 50th anniversary of this landmark event. In fact, the celebration can’t be contained on a single day, with activities spilling across an entire week, from Monday, April 20, to Sunday, April 26.

Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust kicks off the activities on Monday, April 20, with a guided Hike from one of Highlands newest trails, Brushy Face Trail, to one of its oldest, Satulah Mountain Preserve, both conserved by HCLT. 

For more information, visit the Highlands Chamber of Commerce’s Visitor Center at 108 Main Street, or go to hicashlt.org.

 The Highlands Nature Center will offer “Insects 101” as part of Nature 101 Series 1:00 to 3:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 21. Participants will learn about spring insects by catching and talking about them.

 The Mountain Retreat and Learning Center, located at 3872 Dillard Road on the outskirts of Highlands, will stage a Tree Planting and Seed Bomb Workshop from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. Friday, April 24. The public is invited to attend.

“Come join us in planting pollinator-friendly trees and shrubs in our burgeoning food forest,” says Joey Kyle, the farm manager at The Mountain’s  Many Hands Peace Farm. “We’ll be planting American persimmons, goumis, elderberries, and more. Plus learn how to make seed bombs with a custom mix of seeds for your desires. What better way to celebrate Arbor Day and Earth Day!”   

Parking will be available in the large lot at the base of The Mountain. Light refreshments will be provided along with a mini-market of the farm’s wares. For more information, call (828) 526-5838 or visit mountaincenters.org

The Bascom will celebrate Earth Day in April with its monthly Pop Up Shop series featuring local and regional artists whose work explore nature and the environment. 

An artist Meet and Greet open to the public will be held on Saturday, April 25, from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M.

The monthly Pop Up Shop series has been captivating art collectors in the Greehey Atrium since 2018. Designed as a platform that allows local and regional artists to tell a larger narrative, explore new artistic concepts, and introduce their body of work to members and guests of The Bascom.

The week comes to a lively finish when The Highlands Nature Center and the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust pool their talent and their resources to host The Highlands BioBlitz on the afternoon of Sunday, April 26. Participants to this free workshop should gather at the Highlands Biological Station. They will be given the chance to collect and identify different flora and fauna to catalog what’s living on the Plateau.

by Luke Osteen