On October 7, 2026, the scenic mountain enclave of Highlands, North Carolina, served as the backdrop for one of the South’s most prestigious gatherings of environmental visionaries. Presented by Visit Highlands, Garden & Gun hosted its annual celebration honoring environmental stewards, policy shapers, and grassroots leaders dedicated to preserving the nation’s diverse ecosystems.
Titled “An Evening with the Champions of Conservation,” the event brought together prominent scientists, nonprofit directors, government officials, and magazine editors for a night of purposeful dialogue, regional culinary mastery, and community camaraderie. Against the backdrop of the southern Appalachian peaks, attendees engaged in critical discussions regarding freshwater and saltwater habitat restoration, climate resilience, and wildlife management.
This year’s honorees represented a formidable cross-section of modern conservation—from aquatic habitat restoration in the Gulf of Mexico to coral reef preservation in the Caribbean and plastic pollution mitigation across global coastlines. Through dynamic panel sessions at Trailborn Highlands and an exquisite multi-course farm-to-table dinner at the Highlands Supper Club, the evening underscored a unified message: the protection of our natural resources requires cross-sector collaboration, scientific rigor, and enduring local commitment.
Detailed Chronology of Events
Afternoon Symposia and Introductions at Trailborn Highlands
The day’s formal programming commenced in the afternoon at Trailborn Highlands, where a gathering of preeminent conservationists assembled for an intimate exchange of ideas. Moderated discussions highlighted the intersection of policy, fieldwork, and community engagement.
Prominent figures in attendance included Amanda Heckert, Garden & Gun executive editor, alongside a distinguished roster of honorees and specialists. The afternoon conversations provided a platform for these leaders to detail the distinct hurdles facing contemporary environmental preservation. Discussions spanned the genetic rescue of freshwater fish species, the expansion of protected open spaces, and the deployment of advanced reef-building technology to combat marine degradation.
Following the panel sessions, attendees and organizers transitioned to the Highlands Supper Club for an evening reception that blended high-end hospitality with southern charm. The event space was meticulously detailed, featuring escort cards uniquely inspired by the freshwater rivers and saltwater estuaries central to the honorees’ daily work.
The Culinary Showcase and Signature Experiences
Culinary excellence remained a central pillar of the evening, courtesy of acclaimed Chef Dissen of The Market Place. The dining experience began with one of the event’s most talked-about highlights: Dissen’s signature "Ham Luge."
Guests partook in a sensory-rich culinary sequence consisting of:
A delicate, savory bite of premium caviar.
A measured shot of Woodford Reserve bourbon poured directly through a curing of Benton’s country ham.
A final garnish featuring freshly shaved, twenty-four-month-aged Tennessee country ham.
The seated dinner continued with an exquisite second course: smoked Sunburst trout paired with roasted beets, herbaceous green goddess dressing, and trout caviar. This dish was expertly complemented by a 2024 Davis Family Vineyards Estate Chardonnay from the Russian River Valley, highlighting the evening’s commitment to sustainable, locally sourced gastronomy and terroir-driven wine pairings.
As the evening wound down, attendees gathered for one final toast at the Highlands Supper Club, reflecting on the partnerships forged and the ongoing mission to safeguard natural resources for future generations.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Champions of Conservation
The gathering celebrated a diverse assembly of organizations and individuals whose tireless field efforts are actively reversing environmental degradation. The 2026 honorees represent a broad spectrum of ecological disciplines:
Jessica Mailliez (Sea & Shoreline Aquatic Restoration): Specializing in the large-scale restoration of aquatic environments, Mailliez’s work focuses on reviving submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) and marine habitats essential for coastal stability.
Bo Baxter (Conservation Fisheries): Operating out of the Southeast, Baxter and his team work tirelessly to propagate and reintroduce rare and imperiled freshwater aquatic species, protecting regional biodiversity.
Keri Lejune (Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries): Playing a pivotal role in coastal marsh management, Lejune’s efforts are vital to combat land loss and sustain the delicate ecosystems of America’s Gulf Coast.
Maria Whitehead (Open Space Institute): Whitehead contributes to landscape-scale land protection initiatives, securing critical acreage to safeguard watersheds, wildlife corridors, and recreational lands.
Phanor H. Montoya Maya (Coral Restoration Foundation): Operating at the frontlines of marine climate adaptation, Montoya Maya spearheads coral nursery and outplanting programs to rescue dying reef tracts.
Josselyn Lucas (Natural Resources Conservation Service): Working closely with private landowners, Lucas facilitates voluntary conservation programs that promote sustainable agriculture and soil health.
Bonnie Monteleone (Plastic Ocean Project): Through scientific research and public outreach, Monteleone quantifies marine plastic pollution and champions systemic solutions to rid aquatic ecosystems of persistent synthetic waste.
Candace Fields (Cape Eleuthera Institute): Fields advances field-based research and education centered on tropical marine ecosystems, shark conservation, and sustainable island living.
These practitioners were joined by civic and community leaders, including Johanna Fein, Highlands Chamber of Commerce executive director, and Bryan Lewis, Highlands Chamber of Commerce board chair and owner of Highlands Smokehouse, who emphasized the economic and cultural imperative of protecting the region’s natural beauty.
Official Statements and Perspectives
The synergy between municipal leadership, corporate stewardship, and environmental advocacy was a recurring theme throughout the evening’s addresses.
"Highlands has always been defined by its breathtaking natural surroundings—from our cascading waterfalls to our ancient temperate rainforests. Partnering with Garden & Gun to host these extraordinary conservationists reminds us that protecting our environment is not merely an option, but a fundamental responsibility for our community’s future."
— Johanna Fein, Executive Director, Highlands Chamber of Commerce
The sentiment was echoed by representatives of the host publication, who emphasized the cultural urgency of shining a light on unsung environmental heroes.
"The men and women honored tonight are out in the field every single day doing the hard, unglamorous work that keeps our rivers clean, our coastlines viable, and our ecosystems resilient. They are the true architects of the Southern landscape’s future."
— Amanda Heckert, Executive Editor, Garden & Gun
Discussions during the afternoon symposia underscored that modern conservation cannot exist in a vacuum. Speakers noted that success relies heavily on bridging the gap between local policy decisions, scientific data, and public awareness—a philosophy championed by every organization represented at the 2026 event.
Future Outlook
As the celebration in Highlands concluded, the dialogue quickly shifted from recognition to mobilization. The challenges facing both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems in the coming decade are profound, ranging from accelerated coastal erosion and warming water temperatures to the continuous accumulation of microplastics in marine food webs.
However, the collaborative networks strengthened during the event offer a blueprint for effective action. By uniting freshwater restoration specialists with marine biologists, agricultural conservationists, and culinary leaders who prioritize sustainable sourcing, the "Champions of Conservation" initiative demonstrates that multifaceted approaches yield the most enduring results.
Organizers and attendees departed with renewed vigor, carrying the lessons of the North Carolina mountains back to their respective coastlines, laboratories, and river basins. Events like the Highlands gathering serve a vital dual purpose: they celebrate victories achieved in the field while forging the essential alliances required to confront the environmental hurdles of tomorrow.
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