Nature Center Programs

Weekly Programming (May 27-Aug. 17)

Day

Title

Time

Ages

Description

Mondays

Botanical Garden Tour

10:30-11:30am

All ages

 Join us on a guided, themed walk along the Garden trails to learn more about the beautiful native flowers and plants of the southern Appalachians.  More information.

Tuesdays

Family Nature Activity

3:00-4:00pm

Ages 4+

 Activities vary weekly but may include critter searches, discovery walks, nature studies and games, or crafts.  $1 per person.

Wednesdays

Storybook Science Program

2:30-3:00pm

All ages

 Come for a nature lesson based around a children’s storybook, and see and touch an interesting item from the Nature Center!

Thursdays

Zahner Lectures

Vary

Vary

 Sponsored by HBF.  A variety of programs including lectures, guided hikes, workshops, and family events.

Fridays

Animal Feeding Time

11:00-11:30am

All ages

 Come and observe what each of the Nature Center’s animals eat and learn how they feed!

Saturdays

Featured Creature

11:30am-noon

All ages

 Learn more about one of the Nature Center’s live animals up close!

2013 Schedule of Special Events

All special events take place at the Highlands Nature Center and Botanical Garden, 930 Horse Cove Road.  Advanced registration (828.526.2623) is required for some events due to limited space.  Educators can receive science CEU or criteria II NC EE credit.  Call for details.

 

May 31  “Know Your Frogs”  8:30-9:30pm, ages 7-adult

Come for a presentation about regional frog species.  Learn to identify species of frogs visually and by their calls.  People are invited to stay after the presentation to search for frogs and to participate in a scientific survey of calling frogs at the Station.  $5 per person.  Advanced registration is required.  Don’t forget your flashlight.

 

June 13  “Owl Prowl”  7:30pm-?,  all ages

In collaboration with the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society.  Come to the amphitheatre for a presentation by the Carolina Raptor Center (CRC) featuring live owls.  Afterwards, stay for a night hike to find owls in the wild.  Don’t forget your flashlight.  Free, but contributions to CRC are appreciated.

*please note that parking is extremely limited for this event; visitors are encouraged to carpool or walk from downtown parking.

* in the event of rain, limited seating will be on a first-come, first-serve basis

 

June 27  10th annual “Salamander Meander”  9:00-10:00pm, ages 7-adult

Join herpetologists on a night search to observe some of the area’s magnificent salamanders in the wild.  Bring a flashlight!  $5 per person.  Advanced registration is required due to limited space.

 

July 12  “Snakes of the Highlands Region”  7:00-8:30pm, all ages

Come for an educational program featuring live snakes!  Herpetologist and Nature Center Director Patrick Brannon will present a talk on local snake species.  Learn snake identification, natural histories, and common misconceptions about them.  $2 per person.  Advanced registration is not required, but please note that seating is limited.

 

Aug. 2  “Nature by Night”  9:00-10:30pm, ages 6-adult

Learn about adaptations of nocturnal animals through a variety of fun games, activities, and observations along the garden trails.  Bring a flashlight!  $2 per person, advanced registration is requested due to limited space.