Events

Long before pharmacies, the Cherokee and early settlers turned to the mountains for healing–and many of their remedies endure today.

Astronomer Stephan Martin joins the Village Nature Series on May 19 to explain why protecting dark skies matters for ecosystems and for us.

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.

Revered in Native traditions and resilient in modern times, coyotes continue to thrive across the continent — including Highlands and Cashiers.

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

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.