NORTH CAROLINA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY’S
75TH ANNIVERSARY STATEWIDE CELEBRATION
Join us for this Statewide Celebration in Pittsboro the weekend of September 25-27 to honor our past 75 years as the North Carolina Native Plant Society has grown alongside the landscapes we love. The small circle of passionate native plant lovers in 1951 has grown to a thriving statewide network of over 2400 members. Our mission has remained steadfast: promoting and conserving North Carolina’s native plants and their natural habitats.
· Hear from guest speakers and conservation leaders on emerging restoration initiatives and how we can empower the next generation of native plant stewards.
· Attend field trips and workshops (there is something for everyone).
· Shop for native plants from 11 of our NC native plant nurseries
· Learn what each of our 12 chapters across the state are up to. Yes we now have 12 – Sandhills, Foothills and Northeast Coastal Plain formed this year!!
· Connect with fellow members from every region of the state, share stories, and celebrate our shared love for NC biodiversity.
· Come Friday and/or stay till Sunday for additional opportunities to meet and network with native plant friends.
Together, let’s honor the seeds planted by our founders and sow the vision for the next 75 years.
Registration is open!
Important things to know before you register: This is a multi-part registration process.
Join the NCNPS or Renew Click on this link here!
This is a member event! If you are not currently a member, we welcome you to join or renew with us to participate in our celebration of 75 years and growing. We will verify all memberships Wild Apricot does not confirm.
Know before you go to the registration page
Decide if you are joining a field trip OR workshop Saturday morning. The descriptions for all workshops and field trips are on this webpage under the tabs. On the registration form, you will simply select if you are registering for one or the other. These are all happening at the same time, so choose only 1 field trip, OR 1-2 workshops (there is a 930 and 1045 workshop)
Check out the 4 choices for lunch. Descriptions for all lunches are on the webpage under the tab Schedule/Lunch. Decide on your lunch choice. Only the name of the sandwich will be on the registration form.
Register for the Main Event
The “main event” includes the registration for the whole Celebration. (field trips, workshops, coffee/tea & water station, lunch, and afternoon sessions)
Complete the registration form via the blue “REGISTER HERE” button on the webpage or below.
Pay the $30 registration fee. (A great price for all the learning opportunities plus lunch)
Confirmations and Google Form
You will receive confirmation after you register for the Main Event via Wild Apricot.
In that confirmation, there will be a link to a Google Form. If you are choosing to participate in a field trip or workshop, go to this link and select your choice. Please do this as soon as you get the WA confirmation.
We will be monitoring capacity limits and will let you know if you need to choose another option. If the word FULL appears in front of an option, please do not choose it. You will receive confirmation for the option you chose directly from a registration team member.
If you do not receive a confirmation email, please contact triangle@ncwildflower.org and we will figure out if your email was entered correctly or what went wrong.
Deadline and Cancellations
The last day to register and be guaranteed lunch is September 8. Please mark this deadline or just be one of the first to register so you do not need to worry! We cannot accept registrations at the event.
If you need to cancel your registration, contact us or cancel in Wild Apricot. There are no refunds for this event. You may however gift or sell your ticket to another member.
You are all set to come Celebrate an astounding 75 years of promoting, protecting, restoring and enjoying the Native Plants of North Carolina. We look forward to seeing you there.
Blue ‘REGISTER HERE’ Button
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WORKSHOPS— SATURDAY MORNING ONLY (September 26)
Invasive Plants: Overview and Call to Action
One Session: 1A – 9:30-10:30 AM
Presented by Pete Schubert Pete will present an overview of the invasive plants of North Carolina and a detailed call to action to attack this problem head on, using the full breadth of tools – mechanical, chemical, education, advocacy, and leading by example. He will highlight some successes, and leave time for Q&A.
Pete Schubert retired from a career managing construction projects for the Corps of Engineers and the US EPA in the Triangle area of NC. Trained as a geologist but working as an engineer, he developed a passion for protecting AND restoring the environment, which he now pursues full time as a volunteer. Pete leads wildflower, ecology, and geology hikes in natural areas across NC; leads invasive control events; has served on the boards of the North Carolina Native Pant Society, the North Carolina Invasive Plant Council, the Eno River Association, and the B.W. Wells Association; and is a past member of the Cullowhee Native Plant conference steering committee where he served as conference director. He is a member of the New Hope Bird Alliance Bird-Friendly Habitat team, and is a volunteer land steward for the Eno River Association, Ellerbe Creek Watershed Association, Triangle Land Conservancy, NC Botanical Garden, and other local landowners and watershed protection organizations. Pete also is on the Transportation Work Group of the Triangle Connectivity Collaborative, working to make Triangle roadways safe and permeable for wildlife passage and to reconnect fragmented landscapes.
Influencing Plant Policies: How You Can Be a Voice in Your Town!
One Session: 1B – 9:30-10:30 AM
Presented by: Karen Rindge This workshop provides strategies for YOU to be an advocate for public policies in support of native plants and discouraging invasives. Learn from others how they have encouraged their towns to adopt policies supporting native plants.
Karen Rindge is a landscape designer and the owner of Rooted in Nature Designs, specializing in native and pollinator gardens. She chairs the Advocacy Committee of the NC Native Plant Society and serves on the board of the North Carolina Arboretum.
Design for Connection
Two Sessions: 2A – 9:30-10:30 AM
2B – 10:45-11:45 AM
Presented by: Rachelle Roake We can take on tough environmental challenges of today through thoughtful design that considers ecological relationships within and beyond our yards. This talk will explore how to approach landscape design through connections: connections to site conditions, to local biodiversity, and to each other.
Rachelle Roake works to support biodiversity and foster stewardship through native landscape design and activism. She owns and operates Reconnect Landscapes in Chapel Hill, serves as the vice president of the New Hope Audubon Society, and holds a Master of Landscape Architecture.
Tools for Learning North Carolina’s Diverse Flora: floras as a foundation for plant conservation
Two Sessions: 3A – 9:30-10:30 AM
3B – 10:45-11:45 AM
Presented by Alan Weakley North Carolina has a diverse, rich, and resilient flora! We are still learning a lot about the plants of North Carolina, with new species discovered and described, new distribution records of native species, additional non-native species becoming naturalized (and in some cases invasive), better understanding of habitats, and more. At the Southeastern Flora Project, we’re synthesizing that information, developing better identification tools, and providing “a 21st century flora” to help people understand the natural world around them. We’ll explore the diversity of the Southeastern flora, the foundations for that diversity, and the processes of real change in the flora and change in our understanding and classification of that flora. We’ll also discuss the complementary values of different “knowledge repositories” and information sources about the plants of North Carolina: herbaria, iNaturalist and other machine-learning apps, printed floras, wildflower guides, flora apps, websites, databases, and data compilations. How can we best learn, appreciate, and conserve North Carolina’s diverse and imperiled natural heritage?
Alan Weakley is a plant taxonomist, ecologist, and conservationist specializing in the flora of the southeastern United States. He earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Ph.D. from Duke University. Over his career, he has served as a botanist with the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program and as a regional and chief ecologist with The Nature Conservancy and NatureServe. He is currently Director of the UNC-Chapel Hill Herbarium, Adjunct Professor at UNC and the Highlands Biological Station, and a member of the NatureServe Board of Directors. Weakley is co-author of Flora of Virginia and Wildflowers of the Atlantic Southeast, and leads development of the Flora of the Southeastern United States and its FloraQuest apps. He has authored over 100 publications, contributed to conservation planning, and helped guide major land protection efforts across the region.
Create Botanical Art in Watercolor
Two Sessions: 4A – 9:30-10:30 AM
4B – 10:45-11:45 AM
Presented by Maya Barton The workshop will concentrate on watercolor techniques for botanical art and illustration of native plants from a live specimen. Bring any watercolors (artist grade) and brushes (preferably natural hair or soft synthetics) that you own. Paper will be provided. Loose sketches and accurate illustrations will be demonstrated.
Maya Barton is a trained botanical watercolorist who teaches composition and color theory at the North Carolina Botanical Garden’s Botanical Art & Illustration Certificate program. She is a member of the American Society of Botanical Artists and the Guild of Natural Science Illustrators.
Propagation / Growing Plants
Two Sessions: 5A – 9:30-10:30 AM
5B – 10:45-11:45 AM
Presented by Farrell Moose & Rebecca Beechhold Join us for a practical, hands-on workshop on how to propagate native plants at scale. This session will cover the core techniques and strategies needed to successfully expand your growing operation, including choosing the right substrate for germination and growth, finding the best pots for health and production, and utilizing strategies to clean, stratify, and germinate seeds at scale. Additionally, we will explore cloning methods such as hardwood, semi-hardwood, division, and layering.
Farrell Moose is a farmer, plant propagator, and educator based in Chatham County, North Carolina. He serves as Farm Manager and as an instructor for the Sustainable Agriculture Program at Central Carolina Community College, where he combines hands-on agricultural experience with a focus on environmental stewardship and education. Farrell was instrumental in developing CCCC’s new Certificate in Ecological Landscaping, launching at the Pittsboro campus this Fall. The first certificate of its kind within the North Carolina Community College System, this certificate features coursework in plant propagation, ecological gardening, plant science, and landscape design. The initiative promotes the use of native plants and landscaping practices that support biodiversity, ecological health, and resilient landscapes.
Becca Beechhold is a native plant horticulturist and enthusiast! She has worked in organic farming, landscaping, as well as her current role as a propagator of native plants for Flower of Carolina in Saxapahaw. She attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she majored in Environmental Science with a concentration in Sustainability and a minor in Environmental Justice. Becca developed her passion for propagating plants during college while working at various farms. She fell in love with native plants while volunteering in Debbie Roos’ pollinator garden. This led her to work as Assistant Garden Manager for Carolina Community Garden, where she promoted the use of native plants in organic gardening. Currently, she spends her time landscaping with native plants, doing invasive plant removal, and propagating native plants. Becca is a member of the Friends of the Lower Haw Board, where she does educational outreach and programming centered around protecting the Lower Haw River ecosystems. She is also a current participant of the Master Naturalist Program where she is working to re-establish a native pollinator garden along the Haw River for public use and educational programming. In her free time, she enjoys nature photography, working in her garden, hiking, and reading (about plants)!
FIELD TRIPS— SATURDAY MORNING (September 26)
(All Field Trips will conclude by 11:45AM)
1. Paddle Trip on Saxapahaw Lake (Saxapahaw)
Start time: 8:30 AM
Meeting Place: 6079 Swepsonville-Saxapahaw Rd. Saxapahaw, NC 27340)
Trip Leader: Harry Phillips
Capacity: 15
The tour will start at 8:30 AM with a 1/4 mile nature walk from the meeting place to the launch spot. The trail hugs the river, then you’ll pass the dam, and arrive to meet the Haw River Canoe & Kayak staff dockside by 9 AM to pick up canoes or kayaks and set off with Harry Phillips for a 1.5 hour exploration of Saxapahaw Lake. This area offers the tranquility of a lake, yet the scenery and wildlife of a river. There are alcoves to explore and islands to paddle around. Harry will point out interesting plants.
Rent your canoe or kayak directly from Haw River Canoe & Kayak Co.
For the 1.5 hr self-guided trip on Saxapahaw Lake:
Single Kayak: $30
Tandem Kayak: $50
Canoe: $50
Difficulty: Suitable for all skill levels and perfect for a beginner to get their feet wet.
Restrooms: Unknown
Let us know if you want help finding someone to share a boat – we can share names of other registrants so you can coordinate.
2. White Pines Nature Preserve (Sanford)
Start Time: 8:30 AM
Meeting Place: Preserve address is 548 South Rocky River Rd., Sanford, NC 27330 Meet at
the first parking lot (on the left along the entrance drive)
Leaders: John Clarke and Nick Adams
Capacity: 30 (will divide into two groups of 15 max at the site)
White Pines Nature Preserve is a unique 285 acre nature preserve managed by the Triangle Land Conservancy. The preserve’s microclimate supports white pines, Catawba rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and other plants that normally prefer cooler parts of North Carolina.
Julie Moore, a founding member of the Triangle Land Conservancy and a crucial advocate for this preserve, will present a short history of this gem at the start of our tour. The group then will divide into two hiking groups. Each hike will cover about 3 miles of single track trails that criss-cross the preserve.
One tour will start on the Shiner and Schoolkids trails with a descent through the mountain laurel, a grove of pawpaw, and, of course, white pine as we make our way to the Rocky River. We will follow the Rocky River a short distance to the confluence of the Rocky and Deep Rivers with a stunning view of the two rivers and the surrounding natural areas. Continuing on we will climb back up to the parking area along different trails to see more of the impressive flora and possibly fauna as well. The other tour will descend towards the Deep River starting with the Yeagar trail and follow the Deep River floodplain to the confluence before ascending back to the starting point. We’ll pass through a mature oak-hickory forest, visit and discuss an individual long leaf pine, descend to the floodplain, and scope out mature white pines along the way.
Bring a full water bottle.
Difficulty: Moderately difficult with rough, sometimes steep trails, and about 220 feet of altitude change.
Resrooms: No
Trail Map: https://triangleland.org/wp-content/uploads/WPNP-trail-map.pdf
3. “Pollinator Paradise” Garden at Chatham Mills (Pittsboro)
Start time: 9:00 AM
Meeting Place:480 Hillsboro St. Pittsboro, NC 27312
Trip Leader: Debbie Roos
Capacity: 25 people
The “Pollinator Paradise” demonstration garden features over 235 species of perennials, trees, shrubs, vines, and grasses, and 85% of them are native to North Carolina. Debbie Roos, creator and continuing steward of the garden, will lead the tour. Debbie is an Agriculture Agent of the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension.
The garden is on the grounds of a former mill complex. Plantings around and in islands within a parking lot, as well as along a lawn and entry walk to the Chatham Coop, provide great demonstrations of how well native plants can grow in tough dry conditions with minimal watering after establishment. Late summer
/ fall is particularly floriferous. Visit the garden’s website for lots of photos and links to resources. https://growingsmallfarms.ces.ncsu.edu/growingsmallfarms-pollinatorgarden/
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: Yes
4. Mellow Marsh Farm Tour (Siler City)
Start time: 9:00 AM
Meeting Place: 1312 Woody Store Rd, Siler City, NC 27344
Trip Leader: Sharon Day
Capacity: 25 people
Mellow Marsh Farm is a wholesale native plant nursery in Siler City, NC. We grow over 300 species of southeastern native plants including trees, shrubs, flowering perennials and grasses. Our plants are grown from wild-type seeds which are collected in the southeast to ensure local provenance and strong genetic
diversity.
This is a wholesale production nursery. Please plan for walking on uneven gravel roads, the presence of bugs (ranging from cool bugs to annoying ants), and weather. Dress accordingly and bring a water bottle.
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: Yes
5. Tour Rachel’s Native Plants Nursery and The Plant (Pittsboro)
Start time: 9 AM
Meeting Place: 220 Lorax Ln, Pittsboro, NC 27312
Trip Leader: Rachel Nelms (nursery) and Lyle Estill (The Plant)
Capacity: 15
Rachel Nelms, nursery owner, will start this event with a tour of Rachel’s Native Plants nursery and its display gardens. Lyle Estill, owner of The Plant, will follow with a tour around the grounds to see native and edible plantings around the site and the invasives removal projects they have undertaken. The Plant is a 17 acre local food and beverage campus that includes the nursery. Participants may want to linger after the tour to revisit the nursery (it opens for business at 10 that morning) or to check out the other local businesses and features at the complex.
Difficulty: easy walking on mostly level ground including lawn and gravel areas
Restrooms: At The Plant
6. Private Native Plant Garden and Native Grassland (Siler City)
Start time: 9:00 AM
Meeting Place: 740 Charlie Cooper Rd. Siler City
Trip Leader: Nick Ferguson
Capacity: 15
Tour a 20 acre private property near Siler City that has been transformed by the owners to include native trees, shrubs, and perennials, and a 7-8 acre natural native grassland and wildflower field. All this adjoins a wetland area that is part of the headwaters of the Rocky River. This site shows a great example of what can be done to “go native”, and the associated management routine.
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: No
7. How to Measure BIG Trees (Pittsboro)
Start time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Place: Chatham County Ag Center
Trip Leader: Rouse Wilson
Capacity: 15
The Grand Trees of Chatham is a group that measures potential state record trees in Chatham County. There are only a few groups doing this in North Carolina. This would be a hands-on demonstration where the participants actually measure a tree’s height, circumference, and crown spread. Then come up with a point value comparison with the state record.
To be certified as a Grand Tree Of Chatham County it must be 75% of the state record. We will measure some of the large trees in the city of Pittsboro to see how they compare.
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: Yes
8. Pollinator Haven Garden, Lee County Extension Center (Sanford)
Start time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Place: Lee County Extension office, 2420 Tramway Rd, Sanford, NC, 27332 https://maps.app.goo.gl/uV3gGqh58RXBMKAA9
Trip Leader: Amanda Bratcher
Capacity: 15
Pollinator Haven Garden is a Demonstration Garden at the N.C. Cooperative Extension-Lee County Center that serves as both a living classroom and laboratory for pollinator education and community science.The garden was created by Horticulture Agent Minda Daughtry, Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, and the Lee County community to: educate residents about the critical role of pollinators in local ecosystems and agriculture, showcase native, pollinator-friendly plants, and inspire sustainable gardening practices in homes and public spaces. The garden is maintained by Amanda (Wilkins) Bratcher, Tracie Bowers, Master Gardener volunteers, and community members.
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: Yes
FIELD TRIPS — SUNDAY MORNING (September 27)
A. Cane Creek Mountains Natural Area (Snow Camp)
Start Time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Place: Oak Hill Trails parking lot at 5545 Bass Mtn. Rd., Snow Camp, NC 27349.
(The Oak Hill Trails parking lot on Bass Mtn. Rd. is a mile past the Pine Hills
Trails, also on Bass Mtn. Rd.)
Trip Leader: Harry Phillips
Capacity: 15
An Alamance County nature park within a state-significant natural heritage area located in the Cane Creek Mountains. The most notable peak, Cane Creek Mountain, is the highest peak in NC east of Greensboro at 987 feet. The mountain’s side slopes create the headwaters of several streams draining into the Haw River. Features rolling piedmont hills, abundant creeks, streams, and striking stone formations. The excursion will take the Lookout Trail in the Oak Hill Trails section, which is 2.5 miles long and features an 80-foot observation tower and a mature Chestnut Oak-Pignut Hickory forest. There are numerous outcroppings and a few benches for rest stops. The hike is planned to take about 2.5 hours.
Difficulty: Moderately difficult with rough, sometimes steep trails, and about 220 feet of
altitude change.
Restrooms: Yes, at the parking lot.
B. Carolina Habitats Nursery Tour (Chapel Hill)
Start Time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Place: 1111 Dawson Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27516
Trip Leader: Kurt Frega
Capacity: 15
A guided tour of the 7-acre nursery in Chapel Hill established by North Carolina native Kurt Frega. Carolina Habitats specializes in plants native to the Southeastern United States, focusing on on-site propagation and sustainable production methods to promote biodiversity and support local ecosystems. In the spring of 2026, they partnered with Izel Native Plants to provide trees and shrubs to a broader market.
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: Yes
C. North Carolina Botanical Garden (Chapel Hill )
Start Time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Place: NC Botanical Garden Education Center, 100 Old Mason Farm Rd, Chapel
Hill, NC 27517(meet in the Breezeway between the visitor center and classroom
wing).
Trip Leaders: Dan Stern & Chris Liloia
Capacity: 15
Hour-long tours of display gardens featuring Southeastern native plants in a variety of settings. Dan’s tour provides an overview of the herb garden, taxonomic garden, ornamental displays, and sustainable site features. Chris’s tour takes the group from the mountains to the coast through the ecoregional habitat gardens, ending in the carnivorous plant collection. Participants can follow up their tour with a walk on the Piedmont Nature Trail and a visit to the daily plant sale.
Difficulty: Easy
Restrooms: Yes
D. White Pines Nature Preserve (Sanford)
Start Time: 9:30 AM
Meeting Place: Preserve address is 548 South Rocky River Rd. Sanford, NC 27330. Meet at the first parking lot (on the left along the entrance drive).
Leader: John Clarke
Capacity: 15
A unique 285-acre nature preserve managed by the Triangle Land Conservancy. The preserve’s microclimate supports white pines, Catawba rhododendrons, mountain laurel, and other plants that normally prefer cooler parts of North Carolina. The hike covers about 3 miles of single-track trails criss-crossing the preserve. Routes start on the Shiner and Schoolkids trails, descending through mountain laurel, a grove of pawpaw, and white pine to the Rocky River. It follows the river to the confluence of the Rocky and Deep Rivers. Multiple route options are available based on participant desires, including elevated views of the Deep River and floodplain views. Potential wildlife sightings include Bald Eagles, Merganser ducks, osprey, deer, and several species of turtles (Box Turtle and yellow-belly slider).
Trail Map: Triangle Land Conservancy Map
Requirements: Bring a full water bottle.
Difficulty: Moderately difficult with rough, sometimes steep trails, and about 220 feet of
altitude change.
Restrooms: No:00:
MAIN EVENT, AFTERNOON PROGRAM — SATURDAY (September 26)
1:10 – 1:35 PM: Welcome, Opening Remark, and NCNPS History Highlights
Ken Bridle, Master of Ceremonies and Jean Woods, President, NCNPS
Dr. Ken Bridle is a professional botanist and scientist with over 40 years of experience in ecology, watershed inventory, and environmental consulting. He currently serves as the Conservation Advisor for the Piedmont Land Conservancy (PLC). Throughout his career, Dr. Bridle has conducted hundreds of rare species surveys, authored multiple county Natural Heritage Inventories, and led numerous regional conservation and restoration projects across North Carolina. A dedicated community leader, he is a founder or past president of several key environmental groups, including NCNPS and the Dan River Basin Association. He also spent two decades on the state’s Nongame Wildlife Advisory Committee to help protect rare species and natural habitats.
Jean Woods, President, received her botanical education at UNC Charlotte, where she studied with Dr. Larry Mellichamp and helped establish the Certificate in Native Plant Studies program. A member of the North Carolina Native Plant Society since the late 1990s, she organized its first modern chapter in the Charlotte area and later served as NCNPS president. Jean has also served on the boards of the Catawba Lands Conservancy and Friends of Plant Conservation. She has led wildflower walks for nearly three decades and is happiest exploring the natural world.
1:35 – 2:30 PM: Keynote Address (Hope Lives When We All Work Together- Triumphs and
Challenges for Our Native Biodiversity) Featuring Patrick McMillan
Patrick McMillanis currently the horticulturist for the Downtown Cary Park. He is perhaps best known for his television and radio work, including the Emmy award winning “Expeditions with Patrick McMillan” which aired on PBS stations across the nation. He is also the first author of A Guide to the Wildflowers of South Carolina. He was formerly director of horticulture for Juniper Level Botanical Garden, director of Heronswood Garden in Kingston, Washington and director of the South Carolina Botanical Garden. He is a frequent guest on “The Weekend Gardener” radio program airing on WPTF in Raleigh. Patrick attended the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill for his undergraduate degree and received his PhD from Clemson University where he was also the Hilliard Professor of Environmental Sustainability.
2:30 – 2:45 PM: BREAK
2:45 – 3:15 PM: NCDOT Responses to Native and Invasive Plants Legislation
3:15 – 4:15 PM: Panel Discussion – Keys to Success: Increasing Use of Native Plants
Matt Archibald is a Board-Certified Master Arborist and a “treecologist” at Leaf & Limb. With 12 years of experience in the field, his work focuses on tree preservation and utilizing natural to improve local ecosystems.
Sharon Day is the founder and co-owner of Mellow Marsh Farm. She is a long-time board member of: the Cullowhee Native Plant Conference, the North Carolina Invasive Plant Council, Chatham County’s Advisory Board for Agriculture, and Chatham County’s Cooperative Extension Advisory Board.
Barbara Driscoll is past President of the New Hope Bird Alliance and Eno River Association. She helped create and is the Co-Chair for New Hope Bird Alliance Bird-Friendly Habitat Committee creating bird-friendly habitats. Barbara also is Co-Chair for the Conservation Committee. She retired in 2013 after being a Physical Scientist for 27 years with the Environmental Protection Agency. Barbara is an avid outdoor enthusiast who enjoys watching birds, butterflies, plants and animals around the world.
Lauren Freudenberger is the City Horticulturist for Raleigh, overseeing greenhouse operations and integrating ecological management into public parks. She holds a degree in Horticulture from NC State University and has over a decade of experience in public parks and botanical gardens.
Debbie Roos is the Agriculture Agent for the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension where she is responsible for programming in the areas of commercial vegetable production, organic production, pollinator conservation, alternative agricultural enterprises, forestry, and beekeeping. Debbie is passionate about pollinator conservation and has planted demonstration habitats and developed resources to teach others about the importance of bees and other pollinators to our agriculture ecosystem. She is the creator and force behind the Pollinator Paradise Demonstration Garden at Chatham Marketplace in Pittsboro, stewarding it and sharing it with the public through garden tours, workshops, and a photographic database on her website.
4:15 – 4:30 PM: BREAK
4:30 – 5:00 PM: 75 More Years: The Next Generation of Plant Conservation
Presenter Brandon Wheeler
Brandon Wheeler serves as the Conservation Ecologist for the North Carolina Botanical Garden, where he focuses on preventing plant extinction across the southeastern United States. He holds a graduate degree from Western Carolina University, where he studied the systematics of Robinia, and has previously served as a botanical inventory technician with North Carolina State Parks.
5:00 – 5:30 PM: Looking Forward – Community Conversation (We Want to Hear from You!)
Moderator Julie Moore
Julie Moore is a botanist and ecologist who retired in 2019 from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Endangered Species Program. She has a long history of professional and personal involvement in native plant conservation organizations and land trusts in North Carolina and nationally, with a particular interest in longleaf pine ecosystems. She currently serves as the chairman of the NC Plant Conservation Program board
EXHIBITS — SATURDAY (September 26)
Coming Soon!
PLANT SALE
Celebrate 75 years of the North Carolina Native Plant Society at our 75th Anniversary Statewide Celebration Native Plant Sale on Saturday, September 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Chatham County Agriculture & Conference Center (CCACC)!
Whether you are creating a pollinator garden, restoring habitat, or simply love beautiful native plants, this plant sale will help you add to your landscape. Browse an incredible selection from at least ten native plant nurseries from across North Carolina, all gathered in one place with a diverse array of trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses, ferns, and more.
A list of currently participating nurseries follows this information. Check back for updates. A holding area will be provided for you to leave your plants while enjoying the activities planned for this milestone event.
Come early for the best selection, connect with fellow native plant enthusiasts, and help celebrate 75 years of promoting North Carolina’s remarkable native flora. We look forward to seeing you there! Please note: Only registered attendees of the Statewide Celebration in Pittsboro may attend this plant sale as per rules from the CCACC. It is not open to the public.
NC Native Nurseries participating in the Plant Sale:
- Above the Briery, Kinston
- Backyard Butterflies, Hillsborough
- Carolina Habitats, Chapel Hill
- Flowering Earth Natives, Rougemont
- Growing Wild Nursery, Siler City
- Knotty By Nature Natives, Durham
- Laurel’s Garden Design, Raleigh
- Meadowflower Farms, Aberdeen
- Mellow Marsh Farm, Siler City
- Ray’s Native Plants, Chapel Hill
COMING SOON
HOTELS
Hampton Inn and Suites by Hilton (block cut off date: August 25, 2026)
324 Freedom Parkway
Pittsboro, NC 27312
Phone: 919-542-4284
Cost: $179 per night
Book online with the link below or you are welcome to call the hotel directly and reference
our group block name: NC Native Plant Society Group Block
https://www.hilton.com/en/attend-my-event/rdupohx-911-8cdaad5b-719a-419f-95e7-f1ac67b99c64/
Hampton Inn in Pittsboro is the closest to the conference.
Home2Suites by Hilton (block cut off date: August 26, 2026)
115 Amos Bridge Road
Sanford, NC 27330
Phone: 919-300-7000
Cost: $139 per night **
**Caution: The link below will autofill in for 2 nights (Friday – Sunday) Please be sure to edit your stay to one night if that is all you need to avoid a $50 early check out fee.
Home2Suites is an easy 20 minute ride to Pittsboro and has a kitchen for those who want to bring/prepare food.
Hyatt Place Chapel Hill/Southern Village (block cut off date: September 4, 2026)
3690 South Columbia Street
Chapel Hill, NC 27517
Phone: 919-929-9511
Cost: group rate of $239/night for a Single King or $249/night for 2-Queen, valid for stay dates of September 25-27, 2026.
Call In Reservations: Call Reservations at 800-233-1234 and request the “NC Native Plant Conference”. Discounted rates will be available 1 day pre & post the contracted peak dates, based on availability.
Website: To book direct guests can also visit: NC Native Plant Conference – Hyatt Link | The Corporate/Group Code is: G-NCNP
Hyatt House is an easy 20 minute ride to Pittsboro and close to NC Botanical Gardens
CAMPING
Jordan Lake State Park – Vista Point Group Campsites
Location: 3199 N Pea Ridge Rd, Pittsboro, NC 27312 (15–20 minute drive to the conference center)
Cost: $68 total for 2 nights (2-night minimum) with senior discount
Reservation & Check-In We have reserved five group campsites at Vista Point, with each site accommodating up to 30 people. Because group sites cannot be booked online through the park system, you must contact Lynne directly to join our reserved group area.
Lynne will provide you with the reservation number so you can check in smoothly with the park rangers at the information center or with the onsite Volunteer Campground Host upon arrival.
Amenities & Highlights
- Site Features: Individual water and electric hookups at each site, hot showers, and an RV dump station.
- Recreation: Easy walking trails, native flora, swimming area, fishing, and a camper-only boat ramp. (Note: The park does not offer boat rentals, but you are welcome to bring your own. Lynne also has one kayak available to borrow).
- Wildlife: Vista Point is a primary nesting area for local bald eagles.
- Friday Night Campfire: Lynne will be hosting a campfire on Friday night—all attendees are welcome to stop by!
Campground Rules & Guidelines
- Pets: Leashed pets are permitted.
- Drinking Water: The park recommends bringing sufficient drinking water for yourself and your pets.
- Trail Rules: Bicycles are not permitted on the hiking trails.
- Environmental Protection: Firewood gathering is strictly prohibited, and no plants or wildlife may be gathered or disturbed.
LOCAL MEMBER HOUSING
Do you live within 30 minutes of the conference center and want to offer hospitality for an out-of-town member (or more)? Or are you coming from out-of-town and would like to stay with a local member? If so, please fill out this form and we will try to facilitate connections. Click on the responder link below:
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