This column was contributed by Highlands resident Mercedes Heller with the Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau.

A Highlands couple dedicated to the preservation of native plants was recently awarded the “Partners in Stewardship” title by the Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau.

Jeff and Jody Benson Zahner, owners of Chattooga Gardens, are active in rare plant rescues, native plant propagation and numerous outreach programs to increase awareness for the importance of native plants. Both earned degrees in horticulture at Clemson University.

The Land Stewards, a five-year-old organization based in Highlands, conducts public education and outreach to encourage conservation on the Highlands Plateau, with a focus on the protection of native plants and shrubs. Jeff and Jody are instrumental in native plant rescues at development sites, one of the missions of the Land Stewards. A recent rescue saved thousands of native plants that would have been demolished in the widening of Bull Pen Road.

Chattooga Gardens entered the 2004 Southeast Flower Show, taking examples of rescued mountain flora to Atlanta. The display, titled “Time Out of Mind,” won “Best in Show for Small Gardens.” Among the featured species were cinnamon bark clethra, galax, witch hazel, and a variety of ferns.

The Zahners are propagating many slow-growing rare native plants at their home to guard against extinction in the wild. Presently they are successfully growing several species from seeds, including shortia, rattlesnake plantain, wild ginger, galax, trillium and dutchman’s pipes. They open their private gardens for group tours as an opportunity for people to learn about native plants.

Jeff and Jody lead programs at the annual “Landscaping with Native Plants Conference” sponsored by the Highlands Biological Station. The conference raises thousands of dollars each year through conference fees and the auction of native plants. The funds are used for the maintenance and enhancement of the Highlands Botanical Garden.

The couple also participates in the annual Cullowhee Native Plant Conference, leading field trips and teaching about native plants.

In designing a showcase for native plants at the Martin-Lipscomb Center for the Performing Arts, Jody worked with landscape architect Hank Ross in selecting appropriate plants and supervised the planting. The plants were provided from the couple’s nursery.

Jeff is the son of renowned conservationists Dr. Bob and Glenda Zahner. A love of native plants was instilled in him at an early age. Jody attributes her affinity for plants to an 80-year-old neighbor whose passion was gardening and influenced Jody as a child.

Jody Benson Zahner was one of the founding members of the Land Stewards of the Highlands Plateau and was instrumental in helping develop the first educational brochure: “Designing Your Home and Gardens to Preserve the Beauty of Our Mountains.” Jeff assisted with the group’s latest brochure: “Hemlock Substitutes — Answers to a Landscaping Dilemma Created by the Woolly Adelgid.” The brochures are distributed to all new property owners in the Highlands area as part of the Land Stewards public outreach.

Previous “Partners in Stewardship” honorees include Ronnie Waller, who demonstrated exceptional knowledge and skills in environmental building ethics, including measures to protect native plants and prevent erosion. Highlands Falls Country Club was recognized for their efforts in the use of environmentally sound methods of managing the community association and golf course. Thomas Craig was recognized for his work in helping the Land Stewards rescue rare Lady Slipper orchids from a construction site.