Tuesdays, June 2nd – August 4th

Join the Highlands Nature Center on Tuesday nights between June 2 and August 4 to explore the wonders of the Botanical Garden after-hours. Join Naturalists to search for slimy salamanders, use bat detectors to listen out for bats, and even meet a few birds of prey!

Please note that these programs are weather-dependent.

FREE | All ages welcome | Registration is required
To register, please see the registration link(s) below each program. Registration for each program will open 2 weeks prior to the program’s start date.

2026 Programs

Salamander Meander

*HBF Members Only*

Dates: Tuesday, May 26
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Kick off Highlands Nature Center’s summer season! Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Registration Opens May 12

Millipede Night Crawl

Dates: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
 

Creep into the nighttime world of one of the forest’s most fascinating decomposers! Join our Naturalists for a closer look at millipedes as we explore the forest floor and discover how these many-legged creatures play an important role in keeping our ecosystem healthy.

Registration Opens May 19

Salamander Meander

Dates: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Registration Opens May 26

What Bat is That?

Dates: Tuesday, June 16
Time: TBD
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Stretch your wings and tune into the sounds of the many special bats of the Highlands area! Join our Naturalists on a walk through the Botanical Garden to watch them in flight.

Registration Opens June 2

Salamander Meander

Dates: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Registration Opens June 9

Owls: Masters of the Night

Dates: Tuesday, June 30 
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

These mysterious birds of prey are seldom seen due to their elusive and nocturnal lifestyle. Meet some live owls and learn about their fascinating lives and unique adaptations.

This program features Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists.

Registration Opens June 16

Salamnder Meander

Dates: Tuesday, July 7
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Registration Opens June 23

What Bat is That?

Dates: Tuesday, July 14
Time: TBD
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Stretch your wings and tune into the sounds of the many special bats of the Highlands area! Join our Naturalists on a walk through the Botanical Garden to watch them in flight.

Registration Opens June 30

Wild Encounters

Dates: Tuesday, July 21
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Meet and learn about some interesting resident wild creatures that live in the fields, forests, and other habitats here in western North Carolina.

This program features Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists.

Registration Opens July 7

Salamander Meander

Dates: Tuesday, July 28
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Registration Opens July 14

Millipede Night Crawl

Dates: Tuesday, August 4
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE

Creep into the nighttime world of one of the forest’s most fascinating decomposers! Join our Naturalists for a closer look at millipedes as we explore the forest floor and discover how these many-legged creatures play an important role in keeping our ecosystem healthy.

Registration Opens July 21

Funded by

Highlands Biological Foundation

These programs are FREE and made possible by the Highlands Biological Foundation.

Donations are appreciated