Field Season · 2026
Registration for the 2026 season has closed.
Our summer field courses and workshops are no longer open for registration this year — but the Station is far from quiet.
See what's still open ↓
Where things stand
This season has wrapped its enrollment — the next one is already on the horizon.
There are still plenty of ways to learn and explore with us in the meantime, and the full 2027 course & workshop lineup will be announced in early December.
- Summer 2026 Registration closed
- Early December 2027 lineup announced
- Summer 2027 Next field season
Registration open
Native Plant Celebration
Symposium · September 11-12, 2026
A celebration of the native flora of the Southern Appalachians — through science, design, and deep botanical knowledge. Friday's plant sale and garden tours are free and open to all; Saturday's symposium is ticketed, and seats are going now.
Still happening at HBS
More ways to explore this season.
Free · Summer evenings
Zahner Conservation Lectures
Leading conservation scientists and thinkers, in a free public lecture series each summer.
Learn more →
On the calendar now
Programs & Events
Talks, walks, and community happenings throughout the season — see what's coming up this month.
View calendar →
Rolling enrollment
HBS Abroad
Immersive natural-history expeditions to extraordinary destinations, led by Dr. Jim Costa.
Learn more →
Fall semester · Students
Highlands Field Site (IE)
UNC-Chapel Hill's Institute for the Environment: 17 credits of full-semester fieldwork at HBS.
Learn more →
This summer · Youth
2026 Nature Camps
Hands-on summer camps that turn young naturalists loose in the gardens, streams, and forest.
Learn more →
Open daily · No sign-up
Gardens & Nature Center
Wander the Botanical Gardens and explore the Nature Center any day — no registration required.
Plan a visit →
Next season
The 2027 courses & workshops are announced in early December.
Join our newsletter and be the first to know when registration opens.