Growing up in Wilmington, North Carolina, I always admired the look and feel of our native plants. The light through the longleaf pine canopy, the way wax myrtle holds its ground in wet soil, the fleeting bloom of coral honeysuckle along a shaded trail. These plants have stories that go back long before any of us arrived in the Cape Fear region. On June 9, you have a chance to hear some of those stories firsthand.
Celebrate 75 Years of Natives
(Updated: June 2, 2026, 10:26 a.m.)
N.C. Cooperative Extension, New Hanover County Center and Arboretum is teaming up with the NC Native Plant Society (NCNPS) Cape Fear Chapter to host the Native Plant Symposium: Celebration of the NCNPS 75th Anniversary. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the New Hanover County Arboretum, 6206 Oleander Drive in Wilmington.
Founded in 1951, the NC Native Plant Society has spent 75 years connecting people with the plants that define North Carolina's natural heritage. The Society's mission centers on promoting the appreciation, study, and conservation of the state's native flora, and this anniversary year is being celebrated with events across the state.
The morning will feature three expert presentations. Duane Truscott kicks things off with a look at invasive species: what defines a plant as invasive, why their removal matters, how to eliminate the most common offenders, and which native plants can take their place. Roger Shew follows with an exploration of the values and services offered by our region's remarkable plant communities, drawing on the fact that southeastern North Carolina sits within the Cape Fear Arch, one of the world's 36 recognized biodiversity hotspots. Rounding out the morning, Amy Mead, County Extension Director, will guide attendees through the Coastal Landscapes Initiative Native Design Templates, a series of ready-to-use garden layouts developed by NC Sea Grant and partners that take the guesswork out of incorporating native plants into a functional, wildlife-friendly landscape.
The afternoon is designed with families in mind. Two children’s activity sessions at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. offer hands-on exploration of native plants and local ecosystems for up to 15 young participants each. An Extension Information table will also be on site, where you can learn more about the horticultural resources Extension has to offer. The table will include information about Extension’s Nature at Home program, which serves to teach you how to create a wildlife-friendly habitat right in your own backyard.
Tickets are $5 per person and are available now at go.ncsu.edu/2026-native-plant-symposium and early registration is encouraged. Doors open at 8:45 a.m. Proceeds benefit N.C. Cooperative Extension New Hanover County Consumer Horticulture programming. A rain date of Friday, June 19, has been set for the same hours and location. All tickets are final sale.
Whether you are a longtime naturalist, a home gardener curious about going native, or a family looking for a meaningful way to spend a Tuesday together, this is a day worth showing up for. Native plants are the foundation of the ecosystems we all depend on, and the people in that room will have a lot to say about why that matters right here in the Cape Fear region.
Gabriella de Souza is the Consumer Horticulture Agent and Extension Master Gardener Program Coordinator for N.C. Cooperative Extension in New Hanover County, located at the New Hanover County Arboretum. She can be reached at gadesouz@ncsu.edu.
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