CANCELLED - Sumter NF Long Cane District (Edgefield, SC)
2025-05-10 09:00 - 2025-05-11 16:00 (America/New_York) | Lick Fork Creek Parking Lot, 33.7298, -82.0407
CANCELLED – Due to the forecast for rainy and overcast weather all weekend, this trip has been “officially” CANCELLED.
The Carolina Butterfly Society will hold butterfly walks on Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11, 2025, at the 123,360-acre Long Cane District of the Sumter National Forest in the Lick Fork Lake and Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve areas. Our target species are Tawny-edged Skipper and Twin-spotted Skipper, as well as other early-season butterflies. Prunella vulgaris should be blooming.
On Saturday, meet at the Lick Fork Creek parking lot on Lick Fork Creek Road, GPS coordinates 33.7298, -82.0407. There is a $3 per day self-pay parking fee for the area but this is only if you leave your car. We do not plan to start here so do not pay the fee. The fee is waived if you have the Federal “America the Beautiful” Pass as that covers Federal Recreation Areas as well as National Parks. The Sunday meeting location will be determined after the Saturday walk.
DIRECTIONS:

From I-20 get off at Exit 1 to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north until you see the sign to turn right for Lick Fork Creek Recreation Area. If you get to the SC 23 intersection with SC 230 you have gone just a tad too far (less than 0.5 miles).
If you are coming up SC 125 from the south, take it to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north. You will go over I-20 and then follow the directions above.
From the square in downtown Edgefield, travel south on Hwy-23 for 8.3 miles. Bear left onto Hwy-230 and travel for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Lick Fork Lake Road (S 19-263) and travel 1.9 miles. The entrance is on the right.

There are bathrooms near the meeting area. There is no cell service in the areas we will be exploring. John Demko will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to John at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Historic Bethabara Park (Winston-Salem, NC)
2025-05-24 10:00 - 13:00 | Historic Bethabara Park, 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, United States
On Saturday, May 24, 2025, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the Historic Bethabara Park Butterfly Garden. The Bethabara Gardens are beautiful, historically significant places to explore. When the Moravians settled Bethabara in the early 1750s, one of the first things they established were the gardens. The Pollinator Garden was not planted by the Moravians, but this new garden preserves their tradition and values of respecting and understanding of the balance of nature. The entire park encompasses 183 acres of preserved wildlife, historic buildings and grounds, walking and birding trails, and protected wetlands but we will initially be exploring the garden listed above. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.
The park address is 2147 Bethabara Road, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106 (or for those who prefer GPS coordinates, 36.15470, -80.29618). Please RSVP to Bernyce Pritchard at the email address below if you plan to participate.

Carolina Sandhills NWR (Hairstreaks - near McBee, SC)
2025-05-31 10:00 - 15:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at the 47,850-acre Carolina Sandhills NWR (National Wildlife Refuge) in Chesterfield County, South Carolina. Our target species will be all the Hairstreaks, including Banded, Coral and King’s, but we will also be looking for other late spring butterflies as well.
Please meet in the parking lot at the visitor center of Carolina Sandhills NWR. The main entrance is on US Highway 1, about 4 miles northeast of McBee, SC. The address is 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101, and the GPS coordinates are 34.5026, -80.2237.
There are restroom facilities at Lake Bee, but we will not be near there until later in the day. There are also gas stations in McBee. We will drive to different sections of the NWR and stop to look for butterflies. Walking will be minimal and should be easy, but some fields may be overgrown. Dave and Marty Kastner will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Marty at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

NABA Butterfly Count (CSRV, Aiken County, SC)
2025-07-12 09:00 - 16:00 | Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC, 29831, United States
On Saturday, July 12, 2025, NABA (North American Butterfly Association) will hold a butterfly count in the CSRV (Central Savannah River Valley) at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center in Jackson, South Carolina. Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary is a 3,400-acre woodland overlooking the Savannah River. Here you’ll find extensive pine forests and bottomland hardwood forests; beautiful walking trails; 50 acres of lakes and ponds; 100 acres of grassland; and all manner of birds, butterflies and wildlife. Refer to the website below for specific directions and additional information about Silver Bluff Sanctuary.
Meet at the Silver Bluff Audubon Visitor Center in Jackson, South Carolina. The GPS coordinates for the gate just outside the visitor center are 33.32451, -81.84501. The street address is 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC 29831. Important note: Using the street address, some GPS systems tell you that you’ve arrived one mile before you actually reach the Silver Bluff gates. At that point, Silver Bluff Road transitions from a paved road to a well-maintained sand/clay road. Continue driving for one more mile and you’ll see the gates on your right. As stated earlier, the GPS coordinates above are for the gate located just outside the visitor’s center.
The restroom at the visitor center will be accessible at the beginning of the day and at lunchtime. We will eat lunch at the picnic area by the visitor center. John Demko will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to John at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Gum Swamp Road (Jackson, SC)
2025-08-09 09:00 - 15:00 | Kathwood Lakes (meeting location for Gum Swamp Road), 33.33728. -81.84345
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, August 9, 2025, to areas near Aiken, South Carolina. We will drive along Gum Swamp Road and stop at various locations along the road to explore areas of interest (or wherever we see butterflies). Our target species are the Texan Crescent, Tawny Emperor, and Hackberry Emperor, but we will also be looking for other summer butterflies as well.
We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area (GPS coordinates 33.3373, -81.8435) of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We will leave some cars at this location and consolidate the number of vehicles. Kathwood Lakes is located on Silver Bluff Road just before the paved road turns to dirt and approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south. Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Maps uses for the bodies of water at this location.
If you are coming from the north, Beech Island is the nearest place with bathrooms, places to eat and gas stations. If coming from the south, Jackson is the nearest place for these items. If coming from the east down Silver Bluff Road, (SC 302), Aiken will be the last town on your way. Jackson will be to your south on SC 125 if you need to stop just prior to the meeting spot.
No restrooms are available along Gum Swamp Road. John Demko will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to John at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

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Purchase Knob (Haywood Co, NC)
2025-08-23 09:00 - 16:00 | Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center, 35.58602, -83.07328
On Saturday, August 23, 2025, the Carolina Butterfly Society Western NC Chapter has special permission to visit the Appalachian Highlands Science Learning Center (AHSLC) at the Purchase off Hwy 276 in Haywood County near Waynesville, NC. GPS coordinates of the AHSLC are 35.58602, -83.07328. This gorgeous 235-acre property sits at 5086 feet and became part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 2000. If the weather cooperates, we’ll be in for a real treat. The views are amazing. The property features a beautiful house and an 1884 cabin in a meadow.
From the center’s parking lot, we will hike through the meadow; along the road; by the creek; and even through some woods. We should see Monarchs, American Coppers, Great Spangled and Aphrodite Fritillaries, among others.
Bring a bag lunch (the center has a deck and picnic tables). Bathrooms available. Walking is easy-to-moderate. Our leader is Gail Lankford. Please contact her if you plan to attend: whocooksforyou64@gmail.com

Marie Poteat’s Property (Jamestown, NC)
2025-08-23 09:30 - 12:00 | Marie Poteat’s Property – Guilford County, NC, 1111 Bales Chapel Rd, Jamestown, NC, 27282, United States
Please mark your calendars for our next butterfly outing on Saturday, August 23rd to Marie Poteat’s property in Jamestown, NC. Of all the triad butterfly reports this year, Marie by far has had the most butterflies. In large part, this is because Marie has spent years reintroducing caterpillar host plants and butterfly nectar plants on what was once her family’s 70-acre+ working farm.
Marie said in an email: “Last year I had the most species of butterflies in mid-August so I think we should plan for August 23rd. Of course, there is no guarantee of what we see, but there should be a lot of swallowtails, skippers, and some hairstreaks, maybe.”
The start time is 9:30 so we can have from 10:00-12:00 to look for butterflies before the main heat of the day.
Parking will be at 1111 Bales Chapel in Jamestown.
Note that no restrooms are available; be sure to make a “pit stop” in town before you continue to the Poteat property. In addition, you will have to bring everything you need, including water, a snack, a folding chair, and a butterfly field guide.
Marie is limiting the number of participants to about 10 – 12 people. If you want to join in on this butterfly walk, you MUST register by contacting her: Marie Poteat <marie.poteat@gmail.com>
Summary: Butterfly walk, 8-23-25, Marie Poteat Property, 1111 Bales Chapel, Jamestown, NC beginning at 9:30 a.m. Limited to 10-12 participants. YOU MUST REGISTER IN ADVANCE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE!

Butler Mountain Bald (Buncombe Co, NC)
2025-08-24 12:00 - 14:00 | Butler Mountain Bald meeting location (Ingles Grocery), 35.55105, -82.47340
On Sunday, August 24, 2025, the Carolina Butterfly Society Western NC Chapter will visit Butler Mountain Bald in Buncombe County near Fairview, NC. Our target species is the Incognito Crescent and the trip leader is Sparrel Wood.
We will meet at Ingles Market, 225 Charlotte Hwy, Asheville, NC 28803. GPS coordinates of the Ingles Market parking lot are 35.55105, -82.47340. We will caravan from Ingles so Sparrel can get us all through the gated community to park at his house (a five-mile trip) where we will walk an easy one-quarter mile to the bald. Afterwards, we’ll walk down the same route and enjoy Sparrel’s large butterfly garden. If anyone cannot manage the walk, there is a 4×4-only access to the top.
As stated above, our leader is Sparrel Wood. Please contact him if you plan to attend: sparrel88@gmail.com

Coastal North Carolina, Dare County (NC)
2025-09-06 10:00 - 2025-09-07 16:00 | Alligator River NWR Meeting Location, 35.61382, -75.83282
This full Carolina Butterfly Society 2-day field trip will be held in coastal North Carolina where we plan on visiting several different locations. Our target butterfly species varies by location and are listed below. The leaders are Harry LeGrand and Lori Arent.
Saturday, September 6, 2025 – Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge – Meet at the small parking lot on the left side of Pamlico Road, about 200 yards from US 264, which is on the south side of the Dare County mainland (GPS coordinates 35.6132, -75.83282). Meet at 10:00 am. This is near the southern end of the large loop of US 264, about 7-8 miles south of Stumpy Point. Note that Pamlico Road is a single-track gravel road, and thus parking along the road is likely impossible; even parking along or very close to US 264 might be tricky or unfeasible.
Targets: Palatka, Aaron’s, Berry’s, Yehl, Dion, Broad-winged, Twin-spot, Tawny-edged, and Carolina Roadside skippers.
We will have lunch in the field. There are no restrooms here. Depending on our time and success, whether the roadsides have been mowed, whether coastal storms have damaged the vegetation and the road, etc., we MAY make a short drive to a different site in the afternoon, on the northern side of US 264. That site has a different set of flowers — more Mistflower instead of the dominant Bitter Sneezeweed at Pamlico Road. If the roadsides have not been mowed or otherwise impacted, the target species are about the same; there is a higher chance (but still iffy) of Berry’s Skipper here, but less chance for brackish marsh species like Aaron’s Skipper. Just before the end of the day, we plan a brief stop to check the Lantanas at the Roanoke Island Visitor Center.
Sunday, September 7, 2025 – Various sites on the Dare County Outer Banks in the Kill Devil Hills, Duck, and Southern Shores areas; and perhaps also including a long drive to central mainland Currituck County – Meet at the large parking lot of Lowe’s Home Improvement, in the corner closest to US 158 and West Landing Drive (GPS coordinates 36.02594, -75.66886), in Kill Devil Hills. Meet at 9:00 am. The turn off US 158, the main north-south highway on the Banks, is the first major road to the west after passing the Wright Brothers National Memorial if driving from the south. If driving from the north, Lowe’s is just before you reach the Memorial.
Targets: Dukes’ Skipper, Eastern Giant Swallowtail, Brazilian Skipper.
At the meeting place, we will need to review what uncommon/rare species have been recently seen in the area, as this information will determine where we visit. We hope to find Dukes’ Skipper in the Duck area, as a few were seen in late July or early August and have been seen there years ago as well. If missed there, some or many folks may want to make the rather long drive to central Currituck County, where a rather large colony of Dukes’ Skipper has been seen in September in the past few years. We expect to visit a few gardens and other plantings in the Duck area to search for the Giant Swallowtail and the rare and sporadic Brazilian Skipper, and other species.
Lunch will presumably be in the field, but as there are numerous fast-food restaurants along US 158, with restrooms. Details for Sunday afternoon are wide open and will be determined by the successes of the morning.
For lodging, most of you have hopefully already made motel/hotel reservations, as this trip was announced in late winter or early spring. Certainly, lodging on the Outer Banks, and less so at Manteo on Roanoke Island, is expensive in early September, and many or most of these may well be already booked completely.
As stated previously, Harry LeGrand and Lori Arent will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Harry at hlegrandjr@gmail.com or Lori at ljarent1@gmail.com if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

CLOSED - Pre-Symposium Walk – Mason Farm Biological Reserve (Chapel Hill, NC)
2025-09-12 13:00 - 16:00 | Mason Farm Biological Reserve Trailhead, 35.89233, -79.01647
CLOSED – We have had an overwhelming response to this year’s symposium and must close registrations due to resource limitations.
This is a pre-symposium butterfly walk but anyone is welcome whether they plan on attending the symposium or not.
We will meet at the parking lot at Mason Farm Biological Reserve trailhead. There is no street address, but the GPS coordinates are 35.89233, -79.01647. The walking loop is about 2 miles or so and is flat. The trail winds through several habitats including hardwood forest, mixed pine forest, open fields, and has a nice boardwalk section through a wetland. Approximately 60+ species of butterflies have been tallied here over the years and seasons. Of course, we will probably not have that diversity in September, but it’s still a nice walk. Jeff Pippen will lead.
No restrooms are available on the property. Please bring water, snacks (or a late lunch), binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Directions – From the north, drive to Finley Golf Course Road in Chapel Hill. Drive around the Finley Golf Club clubhouse and parking lot and past the driving range. Directly after the driving range at the power lines, take the right fork onto Mason Farm Acc Road (which passes under the power lines). After about 0.38 miles, turn to the right on the gravel access road to the creek, then drive over the concrete ford (which always has at least some water flowing over it, but should be passable). The trailhead parking lot is just to the south of the creek.
Please use the symposium registration form if you are attending the symposium and plan to participate. If you are NOT attending the symposium, you can register for this walk online at the CBS website or RSVP to Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com.

CLOSED - 2025 Symposium – Stan Adams Training Facility (Chapel Hill, NC)
2025-09-13 09:30 - 16:00 | Stan Adams Training Center, 2832 Big Woods Rd, Chapel Hill, NC, 27517-7657, United States
CLOSED – We have had an overwhelming response to this year’s symposium and must close registrations due to resource limitations. If you were not able to join us this year, we look forward to maybe seeing you next year in South Carolina.
Come and join us for the Carolina Butterfly Society 2025 Symposium that will be held on Saturday, September 13 at the Stanford M. Adams Training Facility in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Check-in will be from 9:00 am to 9:30 am. The cost to attend is $20.00 per person, which includes lunch, drinks and snacks. Please return your registration and lunch form (available using the Symposium Registration and Lunch Form 2025 link below) and payment (see note below) so we receive them by September 10.
Featured Presentations

“My Experiences as a Relatively and Perpetually New Butterflier, or How to take up Butterflying without feeling overwhelmed and intimidated” – Alison Smith, CBS Past-President and Current Secretary
“Our Wild Butterflies: Monitoring Diversity and Trends through Community Science” – Jeff Pippen – Research Specialist Georgetown University and Director, Carolinas Butterfly Monitoring Network
“Monarchs and Migration in North Carolina” – Brian Bockhahn – Education Specialist, North Carolina State Parks
“Butterflies of Western NC Post Helene” – Heather Rayburn – CBS Western NC Chapter Coordinator
“(Mostly) Native Pollinator Gardens for Butterflies” – Debbie Roos – Agriculture Agent of the Chatham County Center of North Carolina Cooperative Extension

There will also be a book signing session. Bring your copies of:

Butterflies of North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and Georgia – Harry LeGrand, Jeff Pippen
The Flora and Fauna of Edisto Island and the Lowcountry Sea Islands – Tom Austin

Walk – Tour of the “Pollinator Paradise” Garden in Pittsboro, NC, led by Debbie Roos. Directions can be obtained using the Symposium and Walk Directions 2025 link below. Hard copies will also be available at the symposium.
Additional Optional Opportunity – Visit Rachel’s Native Plants nursery in Pittsboro, NC. Directions can be obtained using the Symposium and Walk Directions 2025 link below. Hard copies will also be available at the symposium.

Symposium Registration and Lunch Form – Either click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser of choice – Symposium Registration and Lunch Form 2025

Directions
Symposium – Stanford M. Adams Training Facility
2832 Big Woods Road, Chapel Hill, NC 27517-7657
> 35.77721, -79.04465 = GPS Coordinates for driveway entrance at Jordan Lake Educational State Forest
> 35.77419, -79.04146 = GPS Coordinates for Stanford M. Adams Training Facility parking lot
— From US Hwy 64, travel north on Big Woods Road for 2.8 miles to the entrance of Jordan Lake Educational State Forest.
— Turn right (east) into the State Forest and follow the dirt road for 0.3 miles. The road will end at the parking lot for Stanford M. Adams Training Facility.
Symposium Walks – Either click on or copy and paste the following link into your browser of choice – Symposium and Walk Directions 2025

Lodging can be found in Chapel Hill and Apex, NC.

Additional Butterfly Walks have also been planned for Friday, September 12, from 1:00 pm until 4:00 pm at Mason Farm Biological Reserve in Chapel Hill, NC, and Sunday, September 14, from 9:30 am until 2:00/3:00 pm at Jordan Lake Tailrace and Deep River State Natural Area in Moncure, NC. Please refer to the Events Calendar on these specific dates for full details. Directions can be obtained using the Symposium and Walk Directions 2025 link above. Hard copies will also be available at the symposium.
Make plans now to bring a friend and join us.

Payment can be made by check (contact Marty Kastner at the email address below for instructions) or via PayPal (which possibly includes credit cards) using the following link.
PayPal Link: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/ADUK6USRRXKJG

CLOSED - Post-Symposium Walk – Jordan Lake Tailrace and Deep River State Natural Area (Moncure, NC)
2025-09-14 09:30 - 15:00 | Jordan Lake Tailrace, 2060 Jordan Dam Road, Moncure, NC, 27559, United States
CLOSED – We have had an overwhelming response to this year’s symposium and must close registrations due to resource limitations.
This is a post-symposium butterfly walk but anyone is welcome whether they plan on attending the symposium or not.
We will meet at the Jordan Lake Tailrace. The address is 2060 Jordan Dam Road, Moncure, NC 27559 (or GPS coordinates 35.65231, -79.06748). We will walk around the fields and outflow area to look for butterflies. Going will be slow, with level to moderate terrain, some mowed field edges or walking through grassy fields. Be prepared for some exploring. Brian Bockhahn will lead.
Restrooms are available on the property. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, a hat, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
After 45 minutes or so, we’ll drive 3 miles, about 6 minutes away, to a relatively new section of Deep River State Natural Area. This area has not been visited much, so we really don’t know what to expect; most sightings will be new for the property. The trailhead is behind the Moncure Community Health Center. The address is 7228 Moncure Pittsboro Road, Moncure, NC 27559 (or GPS coordinates 35.63146, -79.09675). We will hike a series of old roads, first through a recently logged area, around an old home site and pond, then down into the rich floodplain and an old rock quarry along the Deep River. The terrain will not be level, and the trail is not maintained.
Please use the symposium registration form if you are attending the symposium and plan to participate. If you are NOT attending the symposium, you can register for this walk online at the CBS website or RSVP to Brian Bockhahn at the email address below.

NABA Butterfly Count (Congaree NP, Hopkins, SC)
2025-09-20 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the Midlands Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will participate in a NABA (North American Butterfly Association) seasonal count at the 26,693-acre Congaree National Park near Columbia, South Carolina, to look for late-season butterflies. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The lush trees growing in its floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern United States, forming one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. The Congaree River flows through the park. About 15,000 acres are designated as a wilderness area. Refer to the national park website link below for additional information and maps of the property.
Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061 (GPS coordinates 33.8298, -80.8234) where we will divide into smaller groups. Some groups will have larger areas to explore than others. Some of the trails will have roots and/or may be overgrown. You do not have to be an expert to participate and may come for a whole or half day.
There are restrooms at the visitor center but no restaurants nearby. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Theresa Yednock at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

SI Group Hundred Acre Woods (Goatweed Leafwing - Orangeburg, SC)
2025-10-04 10:00 - 15:00 | SI Group, 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC, 29115, United States
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at the SI Group Hundred Acre Woods in Orangeburg, South Carolina. Our target species will be the Goatweed Leafwing (we believe there is an existing, ongoing colony), but we will also be looking other fall butterflies. The walk will be on flat ground, but some field areas may be overgrown. There will be a short drive on an unpaved road to get to our staging point, and, after parking, we will walk around the property.
We will meet at the access road to the Hundred Acre Woods. The address is 725 Cannon Bridge Road, Orangeburg, SC 29115 (GPS coordinates 33.4651, -80.8841). Traveling south on Cannon Bridge Road from Highway 301, go past the railroad crossing and come in the third entrance on the left just after the main parking lot area for the SI Group and just before the fenced-in electrical substation enclosure. After turning in, look to your right and follow the short dirt road, on the east side of the electrical substation enclosure, towards the tree line where we will meet and line up our cars. After everyone has arrived, a safety officer from the SI Group will lead the caravan of cars back to the Hundred Acre Woods parking area.
There may be a porta potty on site. Restaurants and gas stations are nearby. Diane Curlee will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Diane at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.

Reynolda Gardens 2025 (Winston-Salem, NC)
2025-10-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Reynolda Gardens, 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, NC, 27106, United States
On Saturday, October 11, 2025, the Triad Chapter of CBS (Carolina Butterfly Society) will hold a butterfly walk at the FORMAL GARDENS area of Reynolda Gardens.
After the CBS walk through the formal gardens, attendees are welcome to stay a little longer and visit other areas of the 134-acre grounds. These other areas include two miles of scenic walking trails, wetlands, paved pathways, thick woodlands, an expansive meadow for visitors to explore and enjoy and a waterfall, located along the Reynolda Village trail. Refer to the website below for a map and additional information.
Meet at the garden entrance greenhouse at 100 Reynolda Village, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27106 (or for those who prefer GPS coordinates, 36.12564, -80.28474). Please RSVP to Barbara Cullen at the email address below if you plan to participate.

RESCHEDULED - Wateree River HP & WMA (Southern Dogface - Eastover, SC)
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
THIS WALK HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED – Due to the weather forecast for rain, wind, low temperatures and no sun on October 11, this walk has been moved back 1 week to October 18.
The Carolina Butterfly Society Midlands Chapter will hold a butterfly walk on Saturday, October 18, 2025, at the 3,674-acre Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area. Our target species is Southern Dogface, but we will also be looking for other late-season butterflies as well. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields following the elusive Southern Dogface. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.
No restrooms are available on the property. Dave and Marty Kastner will lead. Either register on the CBS website (using the “Register” link above) or RSVP to Marty at the email address below if you plan to participate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.

Peachtree Rock (Brown Elfin - Lexington Co., SC)
2026-03-14 10:00 - 15:00 | Peachtree Rock HP (back entrance), 33.8334, -81.2012
Date: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Location: Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, Lexington Co., SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet in the parking area next to Bethel United Methodist Church. The church address is 811 Peachtree Rock Road, Lexington, SC, 29073. The GPS coordinates are: 33.8334, -81.2012.

Description: Peachtree Rock is a 460-acre Heritage Preserve in Lexington County, South Carolina. We will look for the colony of Brown Elfin and other early-season butterflies.
Target Species: Brown Elfin
Notes: There are no facilities at this site, but gas stations are nearby. Walk difficulty is easy to moderate. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Falcate Orangetip – Eastover, SC)
2026-03-21 10:00 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Location: Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.

Description: Wateree River HP & WMA is a 3,674-acre tract that was set aside as a mitigation site for the Haile Gold Mine in Kershaw County and is comprised of the old Cook’s Mountain and Goodwill Plantation tracts. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields to look for early-season butterflies. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Target Species: Falcate Orangetip, Henry’s Elfin, Southern Dogface
Notes: There are no facilities at this site but there is a gas station nearby. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended. See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.
Trip Leader: Alison Smith
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Alison Smith at sweetgrassess@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Carolina Sandhills NWR (Frosted Elfin - McBee, SC)
2026-03-28 10:30 - 16:00 | Carolina Sandhills NWR, 23734 US-1, McBee, SC, 29101, United States
Date: Saturday, March28, 2026
Location: Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge, McBee, SC

Meeting Time: 10:30 am
Meeting Spot: Meet in the parking lot at the visitor center of Carolina Sandhills NWR. The main entrance is on US Highway 1, about 4 miles northeast of McBee, SC. The address is 23734 U.S. Highway 1, McBee, SC 29101. GPS coordinates are 34.5044, -80.2249.

Description: This will be a joint field trip between the Carolina Butterfly Society and SCAN, the South Carolina Association of Naturalists. We will drive roads in the NWR getting out to explore various areas and look for spring butterflies.
Target Species: Frosted Elfin
Notes: Restrooms are available near Lake Bee within the NWR but there are no restrooms at our meeting site. There are gas stations in McBee. Bring a portable lunch. There are picnic tables near Lake Bee but be prepared to eat on the go if necessary. Please bring water, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leaders: Caroline Eastman and John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Caroline Eastman at carolinemeastman@gmail.com or John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Cheraw State Park & Sandhills State Forest (Patrick, SC)
2026-03-29 10:30 - 16:00 | Cheraw SP on Society Hill Road, 34.6214, -79.9451
Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Location: Cheraw State Park & Sandhills State Forest / Horseshoe Mountain, Patrick, SC

Meeting Time: 10:30 am
Meeting Spot: Meet on Society Hill Road (sometimes called Teals Mill Rd) in Cheraw SP. This is off Hwy 1 in Patrick, SC. We will park on the side of the road just past Juniper Creek. The GPS coordinates are near 34.6214, -79.9451.

Description: At Society Hill Road, we will explore the sand myrtle, vaccinium, horse sugar trees, and Atlantic white cedar on both sides of the road. When finished we will drive approximately 25 minutes west to Sandhills State Forest to explore Horseshoe Mountain. The GPS coordinates for parking at Horseshoe Mountain are 34.5896, -80.1170.
Target Species: Hessel’s Hairstreak, Brown Elfin, Henry’s Elfin, Eastern Pine Elfin, Great Purple Hairstreak, Holly Azure
Notes: No restrooms are available at our first stop. There is a pit toilet near Horseshoe Mountain, but it is sometimes locked. Bring a portable lunch to eat either at our first stop or the second one depending on the timing. There are no tables for lunch at either site. Please bring water, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: Ron Ahle
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: There are hotels and restaurants in Cheraw, SC and camping sites in Cheraw State Park. A recent search indicated that the cabins in Cheraw State Park were not available on our dates.
Sign-up: Please contact Ron Ahle at thebears@earthlink.net if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Madison County, NC
2026-04-11 09:30 - 2026-04-12 15:00 | Broadwing Farm, 20 Berry Wills Road, Hot Springs, NC, 28743, United States
Dates: Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12, 2026
Location: Hot Springs, NC, area

Meeting Time: 9:30 am (Buncombe County) / 10:00 am (Madison County) – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: For those staying in Buncombe County, we will meet at the Publix parking lot in Weaverville, NC, and leave at 9:30 am (165 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville, NC, 28787; parking lot GPS coordinates 35.7049, -82.5687). For those staying in Madison County, meet at Broadwing Farm, 20 Berry Wills Road, Hot Springs, NC at 10:00 am. Park in front of the “event venue” building that’s located at 165 Broadwing Farm Lane, Hot Springs, NC (GPS coordinates 35.9008, -82.8291).

Description: We’ll spend two days butterflying this part of the Pisgah National Forest. Pete Dixon will lead Day 1 (April 11) and Heather Rayburn will lead Day 2 (April 12).
Target Species: Olympia Marble, Cobweb Skipper, Duskywings, Elfins and Hairstreaks
Notes: Easy-to-moderate walking. Normally a restroom is open at the state picnic area. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras, a hat, sunscreen, bug spray, and field guides. Long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leaders: Pete Dixon (day1 on April 11) and Heather Rayburn (day 2 on April 12)
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: For places to stay overnight, there are several rental cabins and B&Bs in Madison County, including Broadwing Farm. Mars Hill has a Comfort Inn, and there is a Fairfield Inn in Weaverville (Buncombe County). Mars Hill, Marshall, Hot Springs, and Weaverville each have a variety of restaurants and brewery taprooms, and Asheville is a foodie destination.
Sign-up: Please contact Heather Rayburn at rayburnh@icloud.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Wateree River HP & WMA (Columbia City Nature Challenge - Eastover, SC)
2026-04-26 10:00 - 15:00 | Wateree River HP & WMA, 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC, 29044, United States
Date: Sunday, April 26, 2026
Location: Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the first kiosk that is located on the right, about 0.45 miles along Goodwill Road after entering the property. GPS coordinates for the kiosk are 33.9495, -80.6530. The HP / WMA entrance is located at 15001 Goodwill Road, Eastover, SC 29044 (GPS coordinates 33.9435, -80.6555) on the north side of Garners Ferry Road, US Highway 378, just across from Goodwill Baptist Church.

Description: This walk is part of the Columbia City Nature Challenge, which is part of City Nature Challenge, an international four-day competition where cities across the globe compete to record the biodiversity of their urban and surrounding areas. We will focus on butterflies, but all nature entries on iNaturalist will count. Wateree River HP & WMA is a 3,674-acre tract that was set aside as a mitigation site for the Haile Gold Mine in Kershaw County and is comprised of the old Cook’s Mountain and Goodwill Plantation tracts. We will drive to various areas, walk some of the trails and quite possibly “bushwhack” through fields to look for butterflies. Some areas may be a little overgrown, but the walking is mostly on level ground and easy.
Target Species: All butterflies (but will also report other nature observations on iNaturalist)
Notes: There are no facilities at this site but there is a gas station nearby. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended. See the website link below for hiking trails and other information about the Wateree River Heritage Preserve and Wildlife Management Area.
Trip Leaders: Dave and Marty Kastner
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Dave and Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.

Sumter NF Long Cane District (Edgefield, SC)
2026-05-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Lick Fork Creek Parking Lot, 33.7298, -82.0407
Date: Friday, May 8, 2026
Location: Long Cane District of Sumter National Forest, Edgefield, SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the Lick Fork Creek parking lot on Lick Fork Creek Road. The GPS coordinates are: 33.7298, -82.0407.

Description: The Long Cane District of the Sumter National Forest in the Lick Fork Lake and Stevens Creek Heritage Preserve areas is a 123,360-acre tract. Prunella vulgaris should be blooming for this walk. We will drive to various locations and explore those areas for early-season butterflies.
Target Species: Tawny-edged Skipper, Twin-spot Skipper
Notes: There is a $3 per day self-pay parking fee for the area but this is only if you leave your car. We do not plan to stay here so do not pay the fee. The fee is waived if you have the Federal “America the Beautiful” Pass as that covers Federal Recreation Areas as well as National Parks. There are bathrooms near the meeting area. There is no cell service in the areas we will be exploring. Walk difficulty is easy. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions:

From I-20 get off at Exit 1 to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north until you see the sign to turn right for Lick Fork Creek Recreation Area. If you get to the SC 23 intersection with SC 230 you have gone just a tad too far (less than 0.5 miles).
If you are coming up SC 125 from the south, take it to Martintown Road (SC-230) and head north. You will go over I-20 and then follow the directions above.
From the square in downtown Edgefield, travel south on Hwy-23 for 8.3 miles. Bear left onto Hwy-230 and travel for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Lick Fork Lake Road (S 19-263) and travel 1.9 miles. The entrance is on the right.

NABA Butterfly Count (CSRV, Aiken County, SC)
2026-07-11 09:00 - 16:00 | Silver Bluff Audubon Sanctuary, 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC, 29831, United States
Date: Saturday, July 11, 2026
Location: Silver Bluff Audubon Center, Jackson, SC

Meeting Time: 9:00 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the Silver Bluff Audubon Visitor Center in Jackson, South Carolina. The GPS coordinates for the gate just outside the visitor center are 33.3245, -81.8450. The street address is 4542 Silver Bluff Road, Jackson, SC 29831. Important note: Using the street address, some GPS systems tell you that you’ve arrived one mile before you actually reach the Silver Bluff gates. At that point, Silver Bluff Road transitions from a paved road to a well-maintained sand/clay road. Continue driving for one more mile and you’ll see the gates on your right. As stated earlier, the GPS coordinates above are for the gate located just outside the visitor’s center.

Description: NABA (North American Butterfly Association) will hold a butterfly count in the CSRV (Central Savannah River Valley) at the Silver Bluff Audubon Center in Jackson, South Carolina. Audubon’s Silver Bluff Sanctuary is a 3,400-acre woodland overlooking the Savannah River. Here you’ll find extensive pine forests and bottomland hardwood forests; beautiful walking trails; 50 acres of lakes and ponds; 100 acres of grassland; and all manner of birds, butterflies and wildlife. Refer to the website below for specific directions and additional information about Silver Bluff Sanctuary.
Target Species: All butterflies
Notes: The restroom at the visitor center will be accessible at the beginning of the day and at lunchtime. We will eat lunch at the picnic area by the visitor center. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

Gum Swamp Road (Jackson, SC)
2026-08-08 09:00 - 15:00 | Kathwood Lakes (meeting location for Gum Swamp Road), 33.33728. -81.84345
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2026
Location: Gum Swamp Road, Aiken Co., Jackson, SC

Meeting Time: 9:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: We will meet at the Kathwood Lakes parking area (GPS coordinates 33.3373, -81.8435) of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. We will leave some cars at this location and consolidate the number of vehicles. Kathwood Lakes is located on Silver Bluff Road just before the paved road turns to dirt and approximately 200 yards after crossing the railroad tracks coming south. Kathwood Lakes is the name Google Maps uses for the bodies of water at this location.

Description: We will drive along Gum Swamp Road and stop at various locations along the road to explore areas of interest (or wherever we see butterflies).
Target Species: Seminole Crescent, Silvery Checkerspot, Zebra Swallowtail, Lace-winged Roadside-Skipper, Tawny Emperor, and Hackberry Emperor
Notes: No restrooms are available along Gum Swamp Road. If you are coming from the north, Beech Island is the nearest place with bathrooms, places to eat and gas stations. If coming from the south, Jackson is the nearest place for these items. If coming from the east down Silver Bluff Road, (SC 302), Aiken will be the last town on your way. Jackson will be to your south on SC 125 if you need to stop just prior to the meeting spot. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: John Demko
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact John Demko at leveljohn7@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

Francis Marion NF (McClellanville, NE of Charleston, SC)
2026-08-29 10:00 - 2026-08-30 16:00 | Francis Marion NF McClellanville Circle K, 33.09514, -79.47558
SAVE THE DATES!
Dates: Saturday, August 29 and Sunday August 30, 2026
Location: Francis Marion National Forest, McClellanville (NE of Charleston), SC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: TBD

Description: Exact locations for butterflying within the FMNF (Francis Marion National Forest) will be determined after scouting the week before. We will drive to areas within the FMNF to butterfly. We will be on forest roads within the national forest. There is a fairly large area to explore so we will be driving to specific sites, parking and walking along the roadside, then driving to other areas to explore on foot.
Target Species: Late-season butterflies
Notes: There are no facilities within the FMNF. The meeting location for Sunday will be determined at the end of the walk on Saturday. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leaders: Alison Smith and Tom Austin
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Alison Smith at sweetgrassess@gmail.com or Tom Austin at tomaustin.pro@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

2026 Symposium - Southern 8ths Farm (Chesterfield, SC)
2026-09-12 09:30 - 16:00 | Southern 8ths Farm Learning Center, 34.79584, -80.15313
SAVE THE DATE!
Date: Saturday, September 12, 2026
Location: Southern 8ths Farm, Chesterfield, SC

Meeting Time: 9:30 am – to 4:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the Learning Center (GPS coordinates 34.79584, -80.15313), located behind the horse barns at 305 Lucious Davis Road, Chesterfield, SC 29709, for welcome, introductions, to use restrooms and fill up on water. On the map, this is the reddish area between Points 5 and 2. The driveway entrance to the property is located at GPS Coordinates 34.79965, -80.15423 on the south side of Lucious Davis Road.

Description: Southern 8ths Farm is a private conservation property and the home of the Carolina Wildlands Foundation. Southern 8ths Farm is located on the SC/NC border primarily in Chesterfield County, SC with a portion of the property extending into Anson County, NC. The property sits on Thompson Creek in an ecoregional and geological boundary straddling the fall line just above the Sandhills. This unique geology has birthed a rich diversity of native plant communities and Coastal Wildlands Foundation has done extensive work to restore prairie habitat across the property. Southern 8ths is located in an area of convergence, where the Piedmont & Coastal Plain meet along the state line of North and South Carolina. This land is rich in American and natural history and has a history of horses being present since the late 18th century. The geophysical nature of these 1,400 acres of preserved land has encouraged the growth of rolling pastures and fields, diverse upland and bottom land hardwood forests and planted pine stands. The waters of Thompson Creek and its tributaries drop over shale bases to join the Great Pee Dee River and flow to the Atlantic. This land is home to reclaimed grass prairies full of insects and dappled sunlit woodland trails, offering respite to birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and humans. This “corridor of green” is a work-in-progress, and it is teaching us about its future role in the survival of humankind and animal-kind.
Target Species: All butterflies
Notes: There are restrooms on site. On-site camping is permitted. Participants will need to sign a waiver with Carolina Wildlands Foundation in order to participate.
Trip Leader: Marty Kastner
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: On-site camping is permitted. There are 10 RV pads available on site with power hook-ups (no wastewater) and the ability for on-site camping. There are two guest rooms available at Southern 8ths Farm, which can be rented for $149/night. (Contact Southern 8ths Farm directly to reserve.) The nearest hotels are 20-30 miles away in Cheraw SC, Rockingham NC, and Monroe NC.
Sign-up: Please contact Marty Kastner at kastners@aol.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: TBD

NABA Butterfly Count (Congaree NP, Hopkins, SC)
2026-09-19 09:00 - 15:00 | Congaree National Park, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC, 29061
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Location: Congaree National Park, Hopkins, SC

Meeting Time: 9:00 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: Meet at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center, 100 National Park Rd, Hopkins, SC 29061 (GPS coordinates 33.8298, -80.8234)

Description: We will participate in a NABA (North American Butterfly Association) seasonal count at the 26,693-acre Congaree National Park near Columbia, South Carolina, to look for late-season butterflies. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United States. The lush trees growing in its floodplain forest are some of the tallest in the eastern United States, forming one of the highest temperate deciduous forest canopies remaining in the world. The Congaree River flows through the park. About 15,000 acres are designated as a wilderness area. Refer to the national park website link below for additional information and maps of the property. After meeting at the visitor center, we will divide into smaller groups. Some groups will have larger areas to explore than others. Some of the trails will have roots and/or may be overgrown. You do not have to be an expert to participate and may come for a whole or half day. Refer to the national park website link below for additional information and maps of the property.
Target Species: All butterflies
Notes: There are restrooms at the visitor center but no restaurants nearby. Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leader: Theresa Yednock
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: N/A
Sign-up: Please contact Theresa Yednock at theresa_yednock@nps.gov if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A

Sandhills Game Land (Hoke, Moore, Richmond, Scotland Counties, NC)
2026-09-26 10:00 - 2026-09-27 16:00 | Sandhills Game Land, 35.026875, -79.559467
SAVE THE DATES!
Dates: Saturday, September 26 and Sunday, September 27, 2026
Location: Sandhills Game Land, Hoke, Moore, Richmond and Scotland Counties, NC

Meeting Time: 10:00 am – to 4:00 pm (tentative)
Meeting Spot: TBD

Description: The scenic Sandhills Game Land encompasses 63,061 acres across Hoke, Moore, Richmond, and Scotland counties in North Carolina, with 32,235 acres being in Richmond County. The Game Land is one of the largest remaining examples of a Longleaf Pine ecosystem in North Carolina. There is approximately 6700 acres of Oak/Hickory dominant forestland on the Game Land.
Target Species: Fall butterflies
Notes: Please bring water, lunch, binoculars, cameras and field guides. Sunscreen, bug spray, long pants and close-toed shoes are highly recommended.
Trip Leaders: Harry LeGrand and Lori Arent
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: TBD
Sign-up: Please contact Harry LeGrand at hlegrandjr@gmail.com or Lori Arent at ljarent1@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: TBD

Bio Way Farm (Ware Shoals, SC)
2026-09-26 10:30 - 15:00 | Bio Way Farm, 197 Bio Way, Ware Shoals, SC, 29692, United States
Date: Saturday, September 26, 2026
Location: Bio Way Farm, Ware Shoals, SC

Meeting Time: 10:30 am – to 3:00 pm
Meeting Spot: The address is 197 Bio Way, Ware Shoals, SC 29692 (or GPS coordinates 34.4700, -82.2583). The GPS coordinates for the driveway entrance on Bio Way are 34.4703, -82.2587.

Description: This will be a joint outing with SCAN, the South Carolina Association of Naturalists. We will walk the roads and trails of a 120-acre organic farm that is managed for ecological restoration and biodiversity. There is a mix of upland meadows and forest habitat as well as a 5-acre lake and riparian zones to explore. Additional information about Bio Way Farm can be found on the web using the link below.
Target Species: All fall butterflies – Over 30 species have been identified at Bio Way Farm with many more possibilities to be discovered. Laurens County is an under sampled area of South Carolina so, perhaps we can fill in some of the species “holes” on the range maps.
Notes: There is a restroom and drinking water at our meeting location. Gas and food are nearby. Wearing sturdy walking or hiking shoes is recommended along with long sleeves and long pants as we may go off trail in some locations to look for as many butterfly species as possible. It is also recommended you use a good bug spray, wear sunscreen, and carry water with you. Be sure to bring those other items you may need (camera, binoculars, field guides, etc.).
Trip Leader: Chris Sermons
Lodging & Dining Recommendations: There are many accommodation options in the Greenville, SC area. Bio Way Farm in Laurens County is about 45 to 50 minutes to the south of central Greenville.
Sign-up: Please contact Chris Sermons at biowayfarm@gmail.com if you are planning to attend. You can also register by using the “Register” link above.
Directions: N/A
