The upcoming lecture, “Landscape Meanders: Design Ideas for the South Gateway Garden at the Highlands Botanical Garden,” will be presented by Warren Byrd Jr., Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia and founding principal of Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects.

In his talk, Byrd will explore preliminary design influences and concepts for a new entry garden adjacent to the Highlands Biological Station’s Nature Center. Working closely with the Station’s administration, board members and the botanical garden and grounds planning and advisory committee, landscape architects Warren Byrd, Susan Nelson, and Liz Sargent are envisioning a fully accessible and engaging “Discovery Garden” that serves as an outdoor complement to the existing Nature Center. This garden will interpret the interrelationship between the region’s plant and animal communities, hydrology, and geology.

All are invited to participate in HBF’s free Zahner lectures, which will be held at the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road) on Thursdays through Aug. 15. To preview HBF’s full Zahner lecture lineup, please visit highlandsbiological.org. The Highlands Nature Center is part of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.