Text by Anne Houck reporting for Native Plant News Summer 2025. Photos by Robert Jones
A significant natural area in south-central North Carolina is the location of the newest NC Native Plant Society chapter, the Uwharrie Chapter. The first meeting attracted 45 people to the Stanly County Civic Center in Albemarle where Andrew Pfeifer, a horticulture Extension Agent for Stanly County Cooperative Extension Service, presented on using native plants in the garden. John Holmes and Pam Palmer from GBH Holmestead demonstrated how plants are able to make music. Many attendees donated native plants as door prizes.
Uwharrie Chapter co-chair Hugh Martin welcomed everyone to the first meeting of the new group. Andrew Pfeifer, Stanly County Cooperative Extension Horticulture Agent presented a program on using native plants in the garden. Attendees enjoyed door prizes and socializing. Photos by Robert Jone
One of the chapter’s first volunteer activities was to take part last May in the NCNPS Annual Meeting and Picnic at Morrow Mountain State Park. The chapter will convene again this coming August at Stanly County’s Civic Center Farm Bureau Livestock Arena for the county’s annual Agri-Civic Day. The NCNPS chapter has over twenty local speakers, events, tours, and hikes to consider as potential activities for 2025.
Co-chairs of the Uwharrie Chapter are Hugh Martin and Anne Houck. The chapter serves Montgomery, Moore, Richmond, Anson, Stanly, Rowan, and portions of Davidson and Randolph counties south of US Highway 64.
The Uwharrie Region has unique soil types and geology that result in a unique plant community. Bringing attention to the native flora of this region will help to conserve the biodiversity found here and educate citizens of the significance of this region.
Anne Houck is an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer, beekeeper, and co-chair of the NCNPS Uwharrie Chapter. A retired program manager in the nuclear power industry, she now spends her time on her many hobbies including gardening and learning about native plants. As a member of the Stanly County Beekeepers Association and a chemical-free beekeeper, Anne teaches the Practical Beekeeping class each year at the Agri-Civic Center.