Ron Lance

The Southern Highlands Reserve is fortunate to have formed an early alliance with Ron Lance. Ron has served as chief botanist in charge at the Reserve, keeping us on the straight and narrow as far as which plant is which is concerned. Ron's plant knowledge is thorough, authentic and personal. A walk in the woods with Ron is truly a sensory experience. When asked about the identity of a plant, Ron often insists you feel, taste and smell it. You've pretty much got it down pat from that point forward.

In addition to providing botanical expertise, Ron has held classes for the Southern Highlands Reserve staff on subjects such as forest types of the southern Appalachians, mountain balds, how herbaceous plants grow and specific plant species.

Ron is a seasoned traveler on botanical highways and byways, constantly seed collecting and photographing as he performs his consultancy duties for various governmental agencies and institutions.

"For many years, botanical bait has lured me across the southeastern United States," says Ron in the preface to his new book, 'Woody Plants of the Southeastern United States, A Winter Guide.'  Ron, who also did the botanical illustrations for the book, says in the preface, "For that minority of people that marvel and cheer internally each time they see a species in its place in the world for their very first time, this book is presented not only as a guide of what can be seen but also as an enticement to see differently."

Ron is currently the Senior Naturalist and Land Manager for the Balsam Mountain Trust, of the Balsam Mountain Preserve near Sylva, NC.  He also serves as Naturalist for Chimney Rock Park.

Employed at the North Carolina Arboretum for 13 years, prior to joining Balsam Mountain, he served successive roles as Grounds Crew Leader, Nursery Manager and Natural Science Curator.  During this time many natural history interpretive programs were developed, and a plant collection of over 500 taxa was assimilated in the field and container nursery operations. A rare plant collection was maintained and participation in the Center for Plant Conservation's National Collection of Endangered Plants was practiced.  The rare plant program included propagation and restoration projects with endangered regional plant species.

Through extensive travel and natural history study in 45 states and western Canada, Ron is familiar with a high percentage of flora and fauna across much of North America.  He received the Outstanding Alumnus Award from Haywood Community College in 2007.

Ron has published four books: "Woody Plants of the Blue Ridge", "Hawthorns of the Southeastern United States", "A Surveyor's Guide to the Trees of North Carolina" and "Woody Plants of the Southeastern United States, a Winter Guide". He also co-authored "Hawthorns and Medlars.  Currently Ron is acting as journal co-editor with the International Oak Society, after serving as President during 2000-2003 and Secretary during 2003-2006.

Ron is a North Carolina native, growing up on a Henderson County farm and consequently living the great majority of his life in the mountain region.   Currently, he resides in Buncombe County with his wife Becky, but is rarely home on sunny days.