In the Weaverville Community Center
[60 Lakeshore Drive, Albert Weaver Room]

We often admire rock outcrops from afar, or sometimes here in Western North Carolina, we visit them while hiking.  But perhaps we don’t realize that there’s more to these geological formations—and to their distinctive ecosystems—than meets the eye.

Please join us as we welcome botanist and ecologist Gary Kauffman for his discussion on rock outcrops in the WNC mountains, including elevation, pH, and structure between different outcrops. Gary’s presentation will include a flowchart key, as well as plant species (some rare) that can be found between or near our mountains’ outcrops and cliffs. And though some of these species are more suitably enjoyed in their natural habitat, Gary will also identify some species that make suitable garden plants.

Gary retired in 2025 following a 32-year tenure with the USDA National Forest in North Carolina, where part of his job covered 1.4 million US Forest Service-managed acres from the mountains to the coast. And much of his work involved plant communities and rare plants.  Gary currently serves on the board of the Asheville Botanical Garden and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. He also co-teaches a week-long rock outcrop course with Dr. Laura Boggess at the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western North Carolina University focused on research, education, and conservation in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains. 

All are welcome to attend. The garden club will not provide refreshments this month, but feel free to bring your own lunch, snack, or beverages to enjoy immediately following the program, if you’d like. The business meeting will begin soon thereafter.

Club of Weaverville is a co-ed, non-profit organization open to everyone. For more information on what we do, becoming a member, or supporting the club, visit our website.