In accordance with Western Carolina University’s policies in response to COVID-19, the Highlands Biological Station is currently closed to the public, but is open to researchers and faculty on a limited basis. Researchers and faculty interested in reserving research and residential space should contact the HBS office (828-526-2602) for information on availability, rates, and reservations. Field courses, workshops, and HBS Nature Center programming are cancelled for the 2020 season. The HBS Botanical Gardens remain open, except for trails that are closed due to construction.

Contact Us

For general inquiries, please call 828.526.2602.

Administration

265 North 6th St.
Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.2602

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

 

Foundation

P.O. Box 580
Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.2221

Monday-Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Garden

265 North 6th St.
Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.0188

Open 7 days a week from dawn to dusk

Nature Center

930 Horse Cove Rd.
Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.2623

Closed due to COVID-19

Outreach

265 North 6th St.
Highlands, NC 28741

828.526.4123

Programs offered September-May

Our Staff

Dr. James T. Costa, Executive Director | costa@wcu.edu or 828.787.1712

Jason Love, Associate Director | jlove@wcu.edu or 828.787.2820

Charlotte Muir, Executive Director, Highlands Biological Foundation | charlotte@highlandsbiological.org or 828.526.2221

Sonya Carpenter, Project Coordinator, Highlands Biological Foundation | sonya@highlandsbiological.org or 828.526.2221

Paige Engelbrektsson,  Education Specialist, Highlands Nature Center| paige@highlandsbiological.org or 828.526.2623

Katie Cooke, Business Officer| kfcooke@wcu.edu or 828.526.2602

M. Patrick Brannon, Outreach Education Specialist | pbrannon@wcu.edu or 828.526.4123

Mike McMahan, Maintenance Supervisor | mrmcmahan@wcu.edu or 828.526.0188

Winter Gary, Communications & Events Coordinator, Highlands Biological Foundation | winter@highlandsbiological.org or 828.526.2221

 

Directions

Our address is: 265 North Sixth Street, Highlands, NC 28741

  • From Cashiers, NC:  Take Hwy 64 W to Highlands and turn left onto Main St.  Continue straight through town.   Turn left onto Sixth St. and make a right turn into the Station driveway.
  • From Franklin, NC:  Take Hwy 64 E (the Gorge Road) to Highlands.  Road becomes Main Street.  Continue straight through town.  Turn left onto Sixth St. and make a right turn into the Station driveway.
  • From Walhalla, SC:  Take Hwy 28 to Highlands and turn right onto Main Street.  Continue straight through town.   Turn left onto Sixth St. and make a right turn into the Station driveway.
  • From Dillard, GA:  Take Hwy 106 to Highlands and turn right onto Main Street.  Continue straight through town.  Turn left onto Sixth St. and make a right turn into the Station driveway.