An Evening with the Champions of Conservation

Join G&G editor in chief David DiBenedetto in Highlands, North Carolina, for a celebration of the 2026 Champions of Conservation. Now in its fifth year, the editorial franchise honors the leaders and innovators working to safeguard the South’s waterways and the ecosystems they sustain.

Perched atop the Eastern Continental Divide, the Highlands plateau is defined by mountain streams and cold-water systems that rank among the most biodiverse in the country. Saturday afternoon, guests are invited to the Highlands Performing Arts Center for an afternoon screening of RIVERKEEPER, the documentary chronicling Dr. Jackie Echols, a 2024 Champion of Conservation, and her fight to restore Atlanta’s South River, followed by a Q&A with Echols and director Jason Goldman.

The celebration continues that evening at Highlands Supper Club, where DiBenedetto leads a lively discussion with the 2026 class of Champions, followed by a chef-driven dinner rooted in Appalachian flavors. In a rare collaboration, chef William Dissen of The Market Place highlights mountain trout, local game, and seasonal ingredients, with paired wines.

Plan your stay for the event and enjoy a preferred rate at Skyline Lodge and Trailborn Highlands. Interested in extending your stay? Learn more about the limited weekend package here.