Southern Highlands Reserve
Southern Highlands Reserve
The Vaseyi Pond is named after the rare pink azaleas that surround it in the springtime.
Part conservation project and part work of art, the Southern Highlands Reserve began as two nature-loving parents’ endeavor to instill that same reverence in their kids. High atop a mountain, 4,500 feet above sea level near Lake Toxaway, this stunning 120 acre arboretum and center for hands-on conservation and research boasts unique plants that only thrive at high elevations, along with familiar local beauties.
The Backstory:
In 2002, outdoor enthusiasts Betty and Robert Balentine created the Southern Highlands Reserve as a North American Land Trust conservation easement when they noticed their children’s disconnection from the natural world. The Balentines grew up in the mountains and wanted to instill in their kids the same sense of love for the landscape that they themselves held. Working with expert landscape architects, as well as conservationists, they created a collection of remarkable outdoor rooms that showcase different qualities of natural beauty, with a focus on native plants.
In 2013 the Southern Highlands Reserve became a founding member, along with the Nature Conservancy, of the Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (SASRI). This collaborative effort aspires to restore red spruce ecosystems.
The Latest:
Momentum is building with the Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration Initiative (SASRI), a project of the Southern Highlands Reserve, the Nature Conservancy, and now, several other partners. This extraordinary effort is working to restore native spruce-fir ecosystems on public and private lands. This unique community of native plants is the second most endangered ecosystem in North America. Red spruce is a dominant species in the ecosystem, and one that is increasingly rare, due to heavy logging at the turn of the 20th century, and now, climate change. The reserve is located in the trees’ native habitat, and horticulturists there have developed methods for growing and transplanting saplings with a near 90% success rate, well above what had previously been achieved.
December 2024 kicked off a collaborative effort between the reserve and partners from the National Forest Foundation, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Forest Service, and The Pisgah Conservancy to replant 10,000 red spruce in key locations throughout the region. Holly Renehan, the reserve’s communications manager, says that this multi-party, public-private alliance mimics the interconnectivity of the natural world, and lends fortitude to the restoration effort.
An integral part of the effort is growing trees at the reserve from seeds collected from wild populations. This spring, the opening of a new, state-of-the-art greenhouse will be celebrated, though fundraising is still underway to fully complete the project. This updated facility will make plant propagation much easier and faster.
Newly installed rain and bog gardens helped to mitigate damage from stormwater brought by hurricane Helene. They will also provide educational opportunities for visitors to learn how landscape and plant choices can help build climate resilience.
In early 2025, Southern Highlands Reserve founders Betty and Robert Balentine were awarded the Cynthia Pratt Laughlin Medal, highest honor from the Garden Club of America, for their conservation and educational work and vision.
Plan a Visit:
Southern Highlands Reserve is not open to the public. They offer guided tours by reservation, along with volunteer opportunities. Visitor day is the first Tuesday of each month from April-October. Tickets went on sale in February and usually sell out within hours, but there is a waiting list. Private tours can be arranged with advance notice and for a fee. There are a limited number of group volunteer projects available each year.
Individuals can volunteer at the reserve after submitting an application. Volunteer days are Wednesdays from 9 a.m.-noon and can include work in the garden, greenhouse, or indoors in inclement weather. You can also volunteer to be a docent; each volunteer role requires training and a time commitment.
The Details
Address: 558 Summit Ridge Rd., Lake Toxaway
*Note: GPS can be unreliable in the reserve’s remote location; screenshot or download directions before losing signal.
Hours: Visitor Day, first Tuesdays April-October, tickets required
Fees: $25 for visitor day, $50/person with a $500 minimum for private tours
Website: southernhighlandsreserve.org