Date: January 21, 2023

Time: 10:30 a.m.

Location: Anne Elizabeth Suratt Nature Center at Walnut Creek Preserve

Speaker: Steve Pettis, Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show

Western NC has a unique and very diverse ecosystem which includes the Pisgah National Forest, Dupont State Forest, Holmes State Forest, the French Broad River, Mills River, and the Green River. There are many unique plants and animals that exist in the mountains and valleys of the region. Unfortunately, many plants that have been brought to the US, either intentionally or by accident, have not behaved as they did in their host countries. These plants have invaded whole areas locally and swallowed up or pushed out native vegetation. Delicate mountain ecosystems are in danger of being damaged by invasive plants. Learn how to identify and control Kudzu, Oriental Bittersweet, Japanese Knotweed, Tree of Heaven, English Ivy, Chinese Privet, Autumn/Russian Olive, Bradford Pear, Multiflora Rose, Miscanthus grass, and others. Henderson County Extension Agent and host of the Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show (download or stream at WTZQ.COM), Steve Pettis, will discuss invasive plants that threaten the Western North Carolina ecosystem.

Steve Pettis has spent his life studying plants and gardening.  As a child, he gardened with his grandmother dividing daylilies, irises, and daffodils and collecting native plants in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains of middle Georgia.  Steve Pettis has been in the Green Industry for over 24 years and has worked as an agent for over 15 years. Steve is a former Marine, and former farm/greenhouse/research facility manager. Today Steve serves as a NC State Cooperative Extension Agent in Henderson County, where he consults on horticultural topics with homeowners, business owners, and government officials. With UGA degrees in horticulture and plant protection and pest management, he specializes in plant health. Steve is the host of the ‘Gardening in the Mountains Radio Show’ which can be downloaded or streamed at WTZQ.COM.

Fun fact: Steve is a musician who plays Americana music in a band called ‘The Apple Country String Band’.

In order to make this an enjoyable and educational experience for participants, space is limited to 100 participants and pre-registration is required.

*Walnut Creek Preserve is private property and guests are only allowed on the property by invitation (a planned event or scheduled group).  Thank you.

Contact Pam Torlina, [email protected], with questions or for more information.