Presented by Visit Highlands Published October 7, 2026
Executive Overview
Against the picturesque backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the scenic plateau of Highlands, North Carolina, recently served as the epicenter for one of the most distinguished gatherings in modern American environmentalism. Garden & Gun magazine, in proud partnership with Visit Highlands, hosted its annual celebration honoring the nation’s most visionary environmental stewards: the Champions of Conservation.
This high-profile gala and symposium brought together elite scientists, policy-makers, culinary artisans, and conservationists from across the country to recognize breakthroughs in aquatic restoration, wildlife protection, and open-space preservation. The multi-day affair—featuring intimate discussions at Trailborn Highlands, a breathtaking dinner at the Highlands Supper Club, and an extraordinary culinary showcase by Chef Dissen of The Market Place—underscored the vital intersection of Southern culture, gastronomy, and ecological preservation.
As ecosystems face mounting pressures from commercial development, climate volatility, and habitat degradation, the 2026 Champions of Conservation event offered more than mere celebration; it provided a critical forum for networking, strategizing, and honoring those on the front lines of environmental defense.
Detailed Chronology: A Gathering of Visionaries
Day One: Arrivals and Symposia at Trailborn Highlands
The festivities commenced in the crisp autumn air at Trailborn Highlands, where honorees and Garden & Gun editors gathered for an opening-day symposium. The venue, known for blending modern hospitality with classic mountain charm, provided an intimate setting for the conservationists to share insights regarding their ongoing initiatives.
Among the prominent figures leading the dialogues were Jessica Mailliez of Sea & Shoreline Aquatic Restoration; Bo Baxter representing Conservation Fisheries; and Keri Lejune from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Conversations focused heavily on freshwater and marine habitat preservation, setting an intellectual and purposeful tone for the days that followed.
The Leadership and Local Collaboration
The success of the event relied heavily on the synergistic support of local leadership. Johanna Fein, executive director of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, alongside Bryan Lewis, board chair of the Chamber and owner of the acclaimed Highlands Smokehouse, welcomed guests to the plateau. Their involvement highlighted the community’s deep-rooted commitment to sustainable tourism and environmental respect.
The Grand Gala: Highlands Supper Club and Culinary Masterpieces
As evening fell, the focus shifted to the Highlands Supper Club, where meticulously curated tables awaited guests under ambient lighting. The evening’s aesthetic paid homage to both aquatic and terrestrial environments; even the escort cards were custom-designed to reflect the freshwater rivers and saltwater coastlines that define the honorees’ daily work.
The crown jewel of the evening’s festivities was a culinary tour-de-force orchestrated by Chef Dissen of The Market Place. Known for his steadfast advocacy of farm-to-table and sustainable dining practices, Chef Dissen curated a menu that married high gastronomy with regional provenance.
The dining experience began with Dissen’s signature Ham Luge—a masterclass in Southern sensory indulgence. Guests partook in a precise ritual: a delicate bite of premium caviar, followed immediately by a shot of Woodford Reserve bourbon poured directly through a curing of Benton’s country ham, and finalized with shavings of twenty-four-month-aged Tennessee country ham.
Subsequent courses continued to elevate regional flavors. Course two featured smoked Sunburst trout paired with roasted beets, herbaceous green goddess dressing, and trout caviar, expertly complemented by a 2024 Davis Family Vineyards Estate Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley.
Between toasts, laughter, and shared visions for a greener future, the evening concluded with a final toast among attendees—including community pillars Tim and Anne Norwood, Shelia Davis, and Irv Kron—solidifying bonds that promise to endure long after the final glasses were cleared.
Supporting Context & Metrics: Honoring the 2026 Champions
The true weight of the event rested on the shoulders of the honorees—a diverse coalition of scientists, researchers, and administrators whose field operations span fragile ecosystems across the American Southeast and beyond.
Meet the 2026 Honorees
Jessica Mailliez (Sea & Shoreline Aquatic Restoration): Specializing in the large-scale restoration of marine habitats, Mailliez’s work focuses on reviving degraded aquatic ecosystems through innovative planting and engineering techniques.
Bo Baxter (Conservation Fisheries): Operating at the intersection of ichthyology and freshwater ecology, Baxter works tirelessly to propagate and reintroduce rare and imperiled freshwater fish species into native river systems.
Keri Lejune (Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries): Playing a pivotal role in Gulf Coast management, Lejune champions coastal marsh restoration and fisheries management in a region deeply vulnerable to erosion and climate shifts.
Maria Whitehead (Open Space Institute): Focused on land acquisition and protection, Whitehead helps secure vital corridors that ensure climate resilience, clean water, and public access across the eastern United States.
Phanor H. Montoya Maya (Coral Restoration Foundation): Working in tropical and subtropical waters, Montoya Maya spearheads coral nursery operations and outplanting strategies to combat the devastating bleaching events plaguing global reefs.
Josselyn Lucas (Natural Resources Conservation Service): Lucas collaborates with private landowners to implement voluntary conservation practices that improve soil health, water quality, and wildlife habitats on working lands.
Bonnie Monteleone (Plastic Ocean Project): A pioneer in marine plastic pollution research and education, Monteleone translates scientific data into actionable advocacy to rid waterways of synthetic waste.
Candace Fields (Cape Eleuthera Institute): Fields conducts critical behavioral and ecological research on marine species, bridging the gap between field science and sustainable island stewardship.
The Editorial Vision
Representing the host publication, Garden & Gun Executive Editor Amanda Heckert, alongside other key editors, emphasized the magazine’s ongoing dedication to environmental journalism. Through platforms like the Champions of Conservation, G&G bridges the gap between lifestyle curation and ecological urgency, proving that an appreciation for the outdoors must be paired with active stewardship.
Official Statements and Perspectives
Reflecting on the success of the gathering, organizers and local officials underscored the symbiotic relationship between Highlands’ natural beauty and its economic and cultural vitality.
"Events like the Champions of Conservation remind us that the landscapes we cherish—from the mountain streams of Western North Carolina to the coastal estuaries of the Gulf—are interconnected. By bringing together these brilliant scientific minds with cultural tastemakers, we ignite a shared responsibility to protect our natural heritage."
— Event Organizer Statement
Furthermore, the involvement of the Highlands Chamber of Commerce highlighted a progressive model for mountain tourism. Johanna Fein noted during the symposium, "Highlands is more than a destination; it is a sanctuary of biodiversity. Partnering with Garden & Gun to honor those who fight for our environment aligns perfectly with our core values of preservation and community integrity."
Future Outlook: The Road Ahead for Conservation
As the 2026 Highlands gathering draws to a close, the tangible impacts of the event are already rippling outward. The connections forged between researchers, corporate sponsors like Turtlebox Audio, and media giants will undoubtedly fuel future funding, collaborative grants, and public awareness campaigns.
The challenges facing modern conservation—ranging from plastic pollution in marine zones to the rapid degradation of freshwater habitats—require multifaceted solutions. The 2026 Champions of Conservation have proven that science, when paired with cultural storytelling and community-driven hospitality, possesses the momentum required to drive systemic change.
Plans are already underway for the subsequent iteration of the program, with stakeholders committed to expanding the platform’s reach. For the residents of Highlands and the nationwide readership of Garden & Gun, the message remains clear: the defense of our natural world is not a passive pursuit, but an active, daily commitment shared by champions in the field and at the table.
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