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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260615
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260627
DTSTAMP:20260524T030443
CREATED:20260106T161140Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260109T133226Z
UID:28888-1781481600-1782518399@highlandsbiological.org
SUMMARY:The Biology and Conservation of Birds
DESCRIPTION:4 Credit Hours\nJune 15–26\, 2026\nInstructors: Dr. Rob Bierregaard\, Acadamy of Natural Sciences/Drexel University (Retired) \nThis two-week intensive course offers a comprehensive introduction to avian biology\, behavior\, and conservation\, grounded in both field experience and laboratory study. Mornings are spent on field excursions where students will develop bird identification skills by sight and sound while observing and interpreting behavior—examining not just what birds are doing\, but why they do it. \nAfternoon sessions begin with lectures covering key themes in ornithology\, including the evolutionary diversification of birds\, avian communication through songs and displays\, migration ecology\, and contemporary conservation challenges. Students will then synthesize their morning field observations and engage in hands-on laboratory work using study specimens\, skeletal materials\, raptor migration datasets\, and their own field-recorded audio. \nBy the end of the course\, students will build strong identification skills\, deepen their understanding of avian ecology and evolution\, and gain practical experience with the tools and methods used in modern ornithological research.
URL:https://highlandsbiological.org/event/the-biology-and-conservation-of-birds/
LOCATION:Highlands Biological Station\, 265 North 6th St\, Highlands\, NC\, 28741\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://highlandsbiological.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Birds.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Highlands Biological Station":MAILTO:hbs@wcu.edu
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260615T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260615T130000
DTSTAMP:20260524T030443
CREATED:20260424T164527Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260424T164527Z
UID:30762-1781499600-1781528400@highlandsbiological.org
SUMMARY:MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | June 15
DESCRIPTION:Join Highlands Biological Station and the Blue Ridge Bird Observatory for a morning of bird banding as part of the MAPS\, or Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship\, program.\nEstablished at HBS in 2020\, the MAPS bird banding station is part of a larger effort to assess trends in avian demographics across North America. During banding sessions\, trained researchers safely capture birds\, collect important biological data\, and fit each bird with a USGS-issued aluminum band with a unique identification number before release. Data collected may include age\, sex\, feather condition\, wing measurements\, and signs of disease or injury.\n \nVisitors strolling through the Highlands Botanical Garden during morning banding sessions are welcome to observe the process and learn more about the birds that call our campus home. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience real\, ongoing research and see conservation science in action.\nLocation: Highlands Biological Station / Cook Pavilion\n \nCost: Free to observeWeather Note: Bird banding is weather-dependent and may be canceled or rescheduled due to rain\, wind\, or other conditions that could affect bird safety.
URL:https://highlandsbiological.org/event/maps-bird-banding-at-hbs-june-15/
LOCATION:Highlands Biological Station\, 265 North 6th St\, Highlands\, NC\, 28741\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://highlandsbiological.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Bird-Banding-2026.png
ORGANIZER;CN="Highlands Biological Station":MAILTO:hbs@wcu.edu
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Halifax:20260615T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/Halifax:20260616T170000
DTSTAMP:20260524T030443
CREATED:20260305T154346Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260305T161029Z
UID:29858-1781514000-1781629200@highlandsbiological.org
SUMMARY:Amphibian Diversity & Biogeography Workshop
DESCRIPTION:Amphibian Diversity & Biogeography Workshop\nJune 15–16\, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily\nInstructor: Patrick Brannon \nThe Southern Appalachian Mountains are home to one of the greatest concentrations of salamander diversity in the world. This two-day workshop introduces participants to the remarkable amphibian species of the region while exploring the ecological and biogeographical patterns that shape their distribution. \nThrough a combination of lectures\, field exploration\, and hands-on activities\, participants will learn to identify frogs and salamanders\, investigate their habitats\, and examine the environmental factors that contribute to the extraordinary diversity found in these mountains. \n\nDay One: Highlands Biological Station\nThe first day will take place at Highlands Biological Station and will focus on foundational knowledge and field observation. \nParticipants will: \n• Learn to identify frog species by both sight and sound\n• Explore the biology and life history of salamanders\n• Discuss why the Southern Appalachians support such exceptional salamander diversity\n• Search for stream and terrestrial salamanders on the Station grounds\n• Investigate microhabitat use and local stream communities \nActivities will include a frog lecture and call-identification lab\, field searches for frogs and salamanders\, and a hands-on stream communities lab examining habitat relationships. \nLunch: Participants should bring their own lunch. \n\nDay Two: Standing Indian Campground Field Trip\nOn the second day\, participants will travel to Standing Indian Campground\, located west of Franklin near the Appalachian Trail. Transportation will be provided via an HBS van. \nDuring this field-based exploration\, participants will examine the ecological gradients and microhabitats that influence amphibian distributions across the landscape. \nActivities may include: \n• Studying coarse woody debris and its role in salamander habitat and decomposition processes\n• Examining microhabitats and distributional gradients of terrestrial salamanders\n• Observing differences in species assemblages across the landscape\n• Discussing mimicry and hybridization in regional salamander populations\n• Hiking moderate trails to observe amphibians in their natural habitats \nParticipants will visit the Wasilik Poplar Trail to observe salamander diversity and potential hybrid populations while discussing the biogeographical forces that shape amphibian communities. \nThe day will conclude with a return to Highlands Biological Station by approximately 5:00 PM. \n\nPhysical Requirements\nParticipants should be in good physical condition for moderate hiking on uneven forest trails. \n\nPlease Bring\n• Weather-appropriate outdoor clothing and sturdy footwear\n• A sack lunch for both days\n• A water bottle\n• Field notebook and pencil (recommended)
URL:https://highlandsbiological.org/event/amphibian-diversity-biogeography-workshop/
LOCATION:Highlands Biological Station\, 265 North 6th St\, Highlands\, NC\, 28741\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://highlandsbiological.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Amphibian-Diversity-Biogeography-Workshop-1.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Highlands Biological Station":MAILTO:hbs@wcu.edu
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