The Highlands Biological Foundation will continue its 2026 Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, a long-running summer tradition that connects the community with leading voices in science, conservation and the natural world.
On Thursday, July 23, the series will feature Dana Beach, founder and former executive director of the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and board member of Butler Parklands, presenting “André Michaux in North America: Revealing the Botanical Treasures of the Carolinas.”
Beach will explore the remarkable legacy of André Michaux, the pioneering 18th-century French botanist whose expeditions across the Carolinas and Southern Appalachians laid the foundation for much of what we know about North American plant life today. Blending science, history and adventure, the talk will trace Michaux’s travels from the Carolina coast to the mountains while highlighting his contributions to botanical discovery and exploration. Attendees will also learn about the fascinating story of the rare Oconee bell (Shortia galacifolia), one of the region’s most celebrated native plants, whose discovery and eventual rediscovery became one of the great mysteries in American botany. Through Michaux’s story, Beach will reveal how early scientific exploration continues to shape our understanding and appreciation of the Carolinas’ rich botanical life.
HBF welcomes all to join the Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, an opportunity to learn, engage and be inspired by the natural world. Lectures are held on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Rd). Admission is free.