Southern Highlands Reserve Deserves A Visit

When people call something “a gem,” you sometimes wonder if the name is truly earned or just hype.

Well, make no mistake: Southern Highlands Reserve owns that moniker, and plenty of others, too. In numerous features and reviews, this local native plant arboretum and research center has been referred to as magical, amazing, spectacular, and stunning—not to mention, simply, heaven. Need we go on?

Certainly founders Robert and Betty Balentine recognized the land’s beauty and charm when they bought a lot for their home on the heights overlooking Lake Toxaway—enough so, in fact, that they also invested in an additional 120 acres of the surrounding wilderness as part of a conservation easement with the North American Land Trust (NATL).

What the Balentines learned later was that their “gem” of a property had much of its true value hidden from immediate view, because the property is home to an array of native plants and species rarely found elsewhere.

Listen in — and see some awesome views of the property — as Robert Balentine explains:

As its name suggests, Southern Highlands Reserve is a working property. A dedicated team of horticulture professionals maintains the land and is involved in ongoing education and research each day.

At the same time, the property is also a resource too wonderful not to share, and the staff happily welcome guests on its monthly Visitor Days. These tours, led by garden docents, offer an affordable, one-of-a-kind experience for backyard gardeners and plant enthusiasts, as well as professionals. The Reserve also offers private tours by reservation.

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What’s A Conservation Easement?

A conservation easement is an interest in real property established by agreement between a landowner and land trust or unit of government. The conservation easement “runs with the land,” meaning it is applicable to both present and future owners of the land. As with other real property interests, the grant of conservation easement is recorded in the local land records, and the grant becomes a part of the chain of title for the property.

Read more about Southern Highlands Reserve in the July 2020 issue of Our State magazine, here.

The foundation’s supporting message for Southern Highlands Reserve in the July issue of Our State magazine.

Education is vital for the maintenance of the Reserve, and important plant knowledge is shared in a variety of ways.

EDITOR’S UPDATE: Since this went to press, the coronavirus situation has unfortunately resulted in the cancellation of many of these Reserve events. Check the SHR website for the most current information. 

  • New this year is a Summer Speaker series being held in partnership with the Greystone Inn, kicking off July 23 with a presentation by Sue Cameron with US Fish and Wildlife Services. These seminars are free to the public and begin at 5pm in the Lovelace Room at the inn, followed by a social hour as the sun goes down on Lake Toxaway.
  • The Reserve also hosts an annual Native Plant Symposium featuring nationally-recognized native plant experts on native plant conservation and preservation. This year, the event was postponed due to the coronavirus restrictions that have been in place and is currently scheduled for August 22. Registration will go live on July 15th; the event includes continental breakfast, educational sessions, a catered luncheon, and garden tours led by founders Betty and Robert Balentine and SHR staff.
  • Staff-led hiking events are also occasionally offered. For just $25 person, guests can get fresh air and exercise while learning about spruce-fir forest restoration, a vital initiative at Southern Highlands Reserve. Learn more here.
  • Last but certainly not least, the Reserve and its staff have a special interest in sharing the wonder of the great outdoors with children. According to SHR Director Kelly Holdbrooks, “This spring our work with TC Henderson students was altered due to Covid-19; however, we are committed to connecting children and adults to nature, and this fall a PhD student from the University of Georgia’s College of Environment & Design will work with us to adapt our outreach programs.”

For a truly unique aesthetic and educational experience in Historic Toxaway, visit—or revisit—Southern Highlands Reserve.