The North Carolina Botanical Garden, part of the University of North Carolina, is a center for plant research, habitat conservation, and botanical education, located in Chapel Hill. The public is welcome to visit its display gardens, featuring wildflowers, ferns, aquatic, carnivorous, and poisonous plants, an extensive herb garden, and two miles of nature trails.

There are also habitat preservation areas, featuring North Carolina's three major habitats, with soil and plants imported from sites that faced displacement by economic development. The NC Botanical Garden offers a reference library, a gardening help line, a school outreach program, workshops, art exhibits, and sales of plants and herbs throughout much of the year.

On both days of the tour, visitors to the NC Botanical Garden will be able to visit the gardens, view the award-winning plans for the Visitor Education Center, which is under construction, and shop at the NCBG plant sale. Complimentary refreshments will be served.