Misty Blue Ridge Mountains at sunrise with lush native plants in the foreground

The Healing Frontier Gathering

On September 24, 2026, scientists, founders, clinicians, investors, and regional builders came together at the North Carolina Arboretum to explore what comes next for nature and its connection to healing in Western North Carolina.

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September 24, 2026 · North Carolina Arboretum

Event summary

The gathering has concluded. Read the full event summary, and see scenes from the day below.

Drake Fowler, Executive Director of the North Carolina Arboretum, welcoming attendees — Welcome from Drake Fowler, North Carolina Arboretum

Patrick Hanaway presenting on connecting with self, each other, the world, and the land — Opening remarks on connection to self, community, and land from Patrick Hanaway, MD

Lisa Feldman Barrett and Jacob Hooker in a fireside discussion — Fireside conversation with Lisa Feldman Barrett, PhD and Jacob Hooker, PhD

Panel discussion with Lauren Flickinger, Jack Cecil, Jeanine Davis, and George Briggs — Regional leaders panel: Lauren Flickinger, Jack Cecil, Jeanine Davis, and George Briggs

A participant mapping ideas on paper during a working session — Working sessions: mapping the region's opportunities

Attendees in small-group discussion around a table — Small-group discussions throughout the day

Attendees in conversation beside a vision poster from a working group — Conversations continued between sessions

Attendees gathering outdoors at an Arboretum pavilion — Time on the land at the Arboretum

Attendees sharing a meal on the Arboretum porch — Shared meals and informal connection

The opportunity

Can Western North Carolina become the epicenter for nature-related healing?

The world is rediscovering nature as a source of medicine. Modern biology, artificial intelligence, natural products chemistry, regenerative agriculture, and traditional knowledge are converging in exciting ways. Western North Carolina has many of the qualities and history to be the epicenter of discussion and work towards this convergence — and this is the moment to build.

Natural products

Working sessions

Cross-sector

Arboretum setting

The experience

Designed for real conversation

Small. Invitation-driven. Cross-disciplinary. The day was designed for meaningful exchange rather than back-to-back presentations — with time on the land, curated discussions, and space for the connections that turn ideas into action.

In good company

Partners & supporters

Organizations that helped bring the region’s scientists, founders, clinicians, and builders together.

Host

The North Carolina Arboretum

Set on 434 acres within the Pisgah National Forest just outside Asheville, the Arboretum is home to the Bent Creek Institute and one of the country's foremost programs in medicinal plant research. It is the natural home for a conversation about the future of nature-derived healing.