When: September 2, 2026 @ 11:30 am
Discover the beauty and value of native plants
We often regard plants as the stage life plays out on, but they are much more than that. Native plants talk to pest predators, feed countless baby birds, attract specialty pollinators, keep our creeks clean, make hummingbird migration possible, enrich our soil in partnership with fungi, and provide beautiful blooms from the first days of spring to the last days of fall. During this event, we’ll share the stories of our native plants, touching on local examples that highlight the importance of our botanical neighbors. To wrap it all up, we’ll discuss on Mainspring’s new WNC Wildseed Library volunteer program, which supplies free, locally-collect native seeds to our communities.
This talk is part of the Stecoah Valley Center‘s Stories & Seeds speaker series. The 30 minute presentation will be followed by a 30 minute light lunch, during which the presenter will answer questions from the audience. Native seed packets will be available for participants to take home.
Meet your speaker
As Mainspring’s Conservation Outreach Director, Skye Cahoon inspires people to connect with their local landscape and value the conservation efforts that protect it. As a kid, she could often be found climbing trees, hunting for salamanders, or chasing fish at her local swimming hole. Her passion for nature grew with her, and in 2020 she earned her Zoology B.S. from the University of Maine. Integrating her experience in wildlife research with her excitement about the natural world, Skye now strives to make science fun and accessible. She leads a variety of educational programs here at Mainspring, and enjoys continuing to learn about the diverse and fascinating creatures that call the Southern Appalachians home.
