The Sandhills is one of the most biodiverse eco-systems in the World. It supports 40% of the biodiversity in NC in just over 1 million acres.

• The Sandhills is characterized by rolling topography, sand covered clay soils (different levels) and thousands of stream heads and this ecoregion is not usually included on maps of the state’s ecoregions (Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plain).
• When most folks, even professional biologists, think of “Coastal Plain”, they think of the eastern portion, near to the estuaries and to Outer Banks. But the Sandhills is usually overlooked as a distinct part of the Coastal Plain.
• There are a good number of plant species endemic (restricted) to the Sandhills of NC-SC-GA, and others that in NC occur only in the Sandhills. Soils are different here than on the flat portion of the Coastal Plain.
• Moreover, there is a longer history of controlled burning here than elsewhere in NC because of the Longleaf Pine and wiregrass ecosystem that requires fire.

Sandhills Counties

• Anson
• Cumberland
• Harnett
• Hoke
• Lee
• Montgomery
• Moore
• Richmond
• Scotland

*This map uses the US Forest Service/Bailey’s Ecoregions definition

---

Contact Us

---

UPCOMING FIELDTRIPS and EVENTS

Sandhill’s Gamelands Guided Tour with Bruce Sorrie Saturday October 3rd, 2026

– More Information to come –

NATIVE PLANT SALE at SCC with local nurseries Saturday October 24th, 2026

– More Information to come –

---

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Tuesday August 4, 2026 Moore Co Ag Center 5:30-7:30pm CELEBRATE NCNPS 75TH ANNIVERSERY!

SPECIAL SPEAKER ECOLOGIST DR. CARRIE DEJACO – NATIVE POLLINATORS AND PLANT RESCUE / SPECIAL SPEAKER PAST NCNPS PRESIDENT KEN BRIDLE – NCNPS HISTORY / CAKE! 🎂 PLANT SWAP!!!

---

---

Tuesday November 17th, 2026 Moore Co Ag Center 5:30-7:30pm Seed Swap PRESENTED BY MOORE COUNTY AG AGENT AND SANDHILLS CHAPTER STEERING COMMITTE MEMBER CHRISTIAN FLORES WILL DISCUSS THE SANDHILLS NATIVE PLANT STEWARDS PROPAGTION PROJECT

---

EDUCATIONAL EXCURSIONS

Pyxie Moss Lighting Up the Sandhills

PYXIE MOSS POP UP March 9th, 2026

A nature walk to find the rare blooming pyxie moss

We went on a “pop-up” nature walk to find the rare blooming Pyxie Moss. It’s not actually moss, but it is magical!

Where: Pyxie Moss Trail /Paint Hill Tract of the Weymouth Woods Sandhillls Nature Preserve led by Bruce Sorrie.

What: Sandhills pyxie-moss (Pyxidanthera brevifolia), which blooms in winter, grows beneath the longleaf pine forests.

History of the North Carolina Native Plant Society & Pyxie Moss

The early history of the North Carolina Native Plant Society was marked by strong efforts in conservation and the creation of native plant gardens across the state. One of its primary goals was protecting habitat for Pyxie Moss in the Sandhills and supporting the Daniel Boone Botanical Garden in Boone. A major reason the organization chose to become incorporated was to gain the ability to acquire land to protect the endangered Pyxie Moss. However, by 1958, the effort to secure land for its protection had fallen through. Pyxie Moss is a rare, tiny flowering plant—despite its name, it is not a true moss. It is found almost exclusively in the Sandhills region, primarily in Moore, Harnett, Hoke, and Cumberland counties, and has not been recorded in the southern Sandhills counties of Richmond or Scotland. This narrow endemic species occurs only in North Carolina and adjacent South Carolina. Although its range is very restricted, it is relatively common on Fort Bragg. The plant grows in sandy soils over clay hardpans, typically on ridges and hilltops. Blooming from February into March, Pyxie Moss is a small evergreen sub-shrub that grows flat along the ground in dense mats that can spread several feet across. Its needle-like leaves are tiny—barely one-eighth of an inch long—and densely cover the stems. In bloom, the plants are covered with small white flowers about a quarter inch wide, so abundant that the patches can resemble snow on the forest floor. Because of its small size, spotting Pyxie Moss requires careful observation—often kneeling or even lying down to fully appreciate it.

Our spring field trip was led by Bruce Sorrie, author of A Field Guide to Wildflowers of the Sandhills Region: NC, SC and GA and Research Associate at the UNC-Chapel Hill Herbarium. Gabriela Garrison of the NC Wildlife Resources Commissions co-led the tour. Our visit gave us the opportunity to discover a remarkable diversity of wonderful native plant species. We’ll be visiting the same game lands again in October to see how the landscape changes in the fall.

SANDHIILS CHAPTER INAUGURAL GARDEN TOUR JUNE 6TH 2026

Three beautiful gardens featuring native trees, shrubs, grasses and perennials were opened to the public, providing inspiration and opportunities for learning. The tour featured two farms and one residential garden. One farm belonged to a member of our steering committee and showcased a first-year native planting, while the second highlighted a thriving landscape six years into its establishment. The third stop was a native plant garden in a residential neighborhood, demonstrating how native landscaping can be successfully incorporated into an everyday home setting. Due to its success, this tour will become an annual event.

–BOOTHS-GUEST SPEAKER at LOCAL EVENTS and FESTIVALS–

---

---

MARCH 11TH, 2026 INAUGURAL MEETING 707 PINEHURST AVENUE CARTHAGE, NC 28327

SPECIAL SPEAKER BRUCE SORRIE, RESEARCH ASSOCIATE WITH THE UNC CHAPEL HILL HERBARIUM, BOTANIST AND AUTHOR – PRESENTED “AN INTRODUCTION TO PLANTS OF THE SANDHILLS”

Our first meeting exceeded our wildest expectations. We had more than 120 people attend, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. It was a complete success! Chairwoman Cami Gregg introduced the Sandhill’s chapter with warmth and enthusiasm. Our special guest speaker and mentor, Bruce Sorrie guided the group through a slideshow of NC native plants and shared insights about the incredibly diverse region we call home. We wrapped up with a plant raffle, and Bruce Sorrie signed copies of his books for sale. Attendees and the Sandhill’s Chapter committee also had time to mingle and chat.

---

PLANT RESTORATION PROJECTS

MARCH 28TH, 2026 ABERDEEN PUBLIC LIBRARY – Volunteers installed longleaf pine trees, dogwood trees, redbud trees and an american snowbell tree. This was the first project since the Sandhills Chapter has formed. It was a beautiful morning, with the high of 55 degrees! Perfect. We had fantastic volunteers who arrived smiling and left just as happy!