2025 Spring Campaign
Support Free Environmental Education
Thanks to your generosity, our Spring Campaign raised $27,416.60 — exceeding our $20,000 goal!
We’re deeply grateful to everyone who gave. Your support helps us continue offering free, nature-based education that inspires curiosity, fosters discovery, and connects people to the incredible biodiversity of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
At Highlands Biological Foundation, we believe that nature should be accessible to everyone. That’s why we offer free educational programming year-round, helping people of all ages connect with the wonders of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. But none of this would be possible without the generosity of people like you.
Your donation to our Spring Giving Campaign ensures that we can continue offering exceptional, hands-on environmental education at no cost to the public. From exploring the Botanical Garden, to experiencing Nature Center Night programs, and engaging with leading scientists at our Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, your support brings learning to life.
Your gift supports:
Inspiring public programs
From daily summer activities at the Nature Center to seasonal favorites like the Enchanted Forest Halloween Event, we make learning fun for all ages.
Unique, hands-on experiences
Children and families get up close with native wildlife through our ecoEXPLORE challenges, StoryTime, and interactions with our animal ambassadors.
Expanding educational reach
Our Nature on the Go! outreach brings nature-based learning into the community, ensuring that children across the Plateau can experience the magic of the natural world.
Upcoming FREE Programs
Funded by HBF Supporters Like You!
Daily Programs at the Nature Center
Starting June 2nd at the Nature Center
Mondays – Animal Encounters
Tuesdays – Storytime
Wednesdays – Garden Hour
Thursdays – Scientist Skills
Fridays – Animal Encounters
Saturdays – Make n’ Take
Nature Center Nights
Tuesday nights, starting June 3rd in the Botanical Gardens
Salamander Meander
Owls: Masters of the Night
What Bat is That?
Glowing Wonders
Amazing Moths
Hunters in the Sky
Zahner Lecture Series
Thursday nights, starting June 12th at the Nature Center
This year’s lecture topics include: Indigenous Voices in Conservation, Coexisting with Black Bears, Living with Nature, Bats in Your Backyard, Medicinal Mushrooms, Understanding Helene as a Geologic Event, Beneficial Pests, Seasonal Joys of Ecosystems, and Forest Resilience in a Post Hurricane World
Seasonal Walks
Monthly
Throughout the year, the Nature Center offers guided walks that celebrate the changing seasons on the Highlands Plateau. From spotting birds in the early morning to discovering blooming wildflowers, curious fungi, colorful fall leaves, and winter-blooming witch hazel—each walk is a chance to explore and connect with nature.
ecoEXPLORE Challenges
Monthly
Each month, kids can take part in fun, hands-on nature challenges at the Nature Center. Explore the outdoors, make wildlife observations, and become a community scientist with ecoEXPLORE. Stop by to see what this month’s challenge is all about.
Drawing Club
NEW – Monthly
Each month at the Highlands Nature Center, nature lovers and artists of all levels gather to sketch and share inspiration. We’ll take a short walk through the garden trails, explore a creative prompt, and enjoy time to draw together. Bring your own supplies or use ours—everyone’s welcome!
Outreach
Monthly
Each month, our education specialists bring nature-based learning into the community with themed outreach programs. From local libraries to after-school groups, these engaging lessons introduce kids and families to the wonders of the natural world through hands-on activities and interactive presentations.
NC Bioblitz
Yearly
The NC Bioblitz is part of the City Nature Challenge, a friendly citizen science competition between cities & regions all over the world. Upload observations to iNaturalist, and help Western NC win against the rest of the state!
Enchanted Forest
Halloween Event
Each year, the Highlands Botanical Garden transforms into a magical, family-friendly Halloween adventure! Dress up in your favorite costume, trick-or-treat along the trails, and discover the wild side of Halloween with fun nature facts and festive surprises.
Thank you to our 2025 Spring Campaign donors:
Vernon O’Neal
Kathryn McArthur
Michele Burns & Deborah Jamison
Richard Crowell
Martha & Michael Dupuis
Heather Halcik
Susan Jones
Martha & Hal Stibbs
Susan & Charley Tarver
Ashley Hagan Binder
Cookie & Harrison Jones
Lisa & Brad Armstrong
Bruce McAlpin & William Bush
Sandy Kawano
Ellen Blackburn
Kim & Alex Smith
Mary Ann & Larry Ray
Kendra & Richard Hildbold
Florence & Tom Holmes
Heath Massey & John Mitchener
Patty & Brock Hutchins
Frank Langford
Steven Sawyer
Gailyn & John Thornton
Margaret Payne
Cecil & James Hines
Nancy Norton
Sandy Holland
Your Support Makes a Lasting Impact
While our Spring Campaign has ended, the need for support continues year-round. Your gift to the Highlands Biological Foundation helps us provide free environmental education, inspire future scientists, and protect the biodiversity of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau.
