Nature Center
Highlands Nature Center was founded as the museum of the Highlands Biological Station in 1927, and was originally housed as an annex to the Hudson Library. Its present home, the Clark Foreman Museum building, was constructed between 1939 and 1941 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) using native granite from the local quarry and wormy chestnut salvaged from the Nantahala National Forest. Following a renovation in 2001, the Nature Center now offers exhibits and year-round educational programming focusing on the biodiversity of the southern Appalachian region. Programming includes pre-K-12 outreach, special events and daily activities during the summer that are open to the general public, as well as summer nature camps for ages 4 to 14. Younger campers explore the outdoors and learn about plants and animals through a variety of activities and games. Older campers conduct scientific research, develop team-building skills, and observe nature on adventure field trips into the Nantahala National Forest.
Highlands Nature Center is a member of NC Grassroots Science Museums Collaborative.
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current hours of operation:Highlands Nature Center will be open Saturdays beginning May 4. Regular summer hours ( Monday – Saturday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm) begin May 25 and continue through Labor Day.
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Below you will find the schedule for our daily programming and special events. For information about school outreach programming and special events, please visit the link below in the “links” section.
Links:
summer camps (printable schedule | reservation form | gear list)
biodiversity in the southern Appalachians
species lists: mammals | amphibians | reptiles | birds
2013 Summer Weekly Programming (May 27-Aug. 17)
All programs take place at the Highlands Nature Center and Botanical Garden, 930 Horse Cove Road, and are free to the public unless otherwise noted.
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Day |
Title |
Time |
Ages |
Description |
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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. |
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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. |
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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! |
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Thursdays |
Zahner Lectures |
Vary |
Vary |
Sponsored by HBF. A variety of programs including lectures, guided hikes, workshops, and family events. |
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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! |
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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 indoor 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.
