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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260720
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SUMMARY:Conservation Biology in the Southern Appalachians
DESCRIPTION:4 Credit Hours\nJuly 20–31\, 2026\nInstructors: Dr. Christopher B. Mowry\, Berry College \nConservation biology is a multidisciplinary science devoted to understanding and safeguarding Earth’s biodiversity—a field that is both inspiring in its discoveries and sobering in its urgency. Nowhere is this duality more evident than in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains\, one of the world’s recognized biodiversity hotspots. Students in this course will encounter the region’s remarkable species richness firsthand while exploring the ecological\, social\, and management complexities that shape modern conservation efforts. \nCourse Overview\nClassroom lessons will be directly connected to field experiences in nearby forests\, coves\, bogs\, and bottomlands. Students will engage with a range of core topics\, including: \nPatterns\, distribution\, and measurement of biodiversity \nPopulation modeling and extinction vulnerability \nClimate change impacts and adaptation \nHabitat loss\, fragmentation\, and connectivity \nOverexploitation\, invasive species\, and disease \nEndangered species management \nIn situ and ex situ conservation strategies \nThe roles of local\, national\, and international conservation organizations \nThroughout the course\, students will gain exposure to practitioners and researchers whose expertise and on-the-ground experience illuminate real-world conservation challenges and solutions. \nFormat & Expectations\nEach day will combine lecture-based instruction with field and laboratory activities. The schedule will remain flexible to accommodate weather conditions and guest collaborators\, but students should plan for 7–8 hours per day of engagement in class and/or field settings. Lectures will be supplemented with visual tools—including presentations\, news stories\, online resources\, and selected films—while hands-on learning will include: \nField site visits and case studies \nComputer modeling exercises \nCompilation of a biodiversity journal \nWritten lab assignments submitted through Canvas \nWho Should Enroll\nThis course is designed primarily for upper-level undergraduates majoring in biology\, environmental science\, or related fields who have—or wish to develop—a strong foundation in organismal and ecological biology. A working knowledge of basic ecological and evolutionary principles is recommended; however\, students at other stages in their academic careers are encouraged to contact the instructor with questions. The course is also open to lifelong learners and those seeking CEUs or CECs.
URL:https://highlandsbiological.org/event/conservation-biology-in-the-southern-appalachians/
LOCATION:Highlands Biological Station\, 265 North 6th St\, Highlands\, NC\, 28741\, United States
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://highlandsbiological.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Conservation-Biology.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Highlands Biological Station":MAILTO:hbs@wcu.edu
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CREATED:20260106T160932Z
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UID:28886-1784505600-1785542399@highlandsbiological.org
SUMMARY:Spiders of the Southern Appalachians
DESCRIPTION:4 Credit Hours\nJuly 20–31\, 2026\nInstructors: Dr. Sarah Stellwagen\, UNC–Charlotte & Dr. Alex Sweger\, Hartwick College \nThis course offers an immersive introduction to spider systematics\, morphology\, behavior\, physiology\, and ecology. Each day begins with morning and/or evening lectures and discussions that build a comprehensive foundation in arachnology. \nAfternoons are dedicated to fieldwork across the Southern Appalachians\, with the goal of assembling a substantial collection of the region’s remarkably diverse spider fauna while observing ecological interactions and behavioral patterns. Students typically encounter 28–30 spider families during the course. \nEvenings provide focused time in the lab for species identification and collection work\, and students are expected to devote sufficient time to developing their taxonomic skills. The course also incorporates spider videos\, informal discussions\, and opportunities to explore a variety of topics in spider biology and evolution. \nLecture and discussion sessions will cover: \nAn introduction to spiders\, including family-level diversity and collecting techniques \nExternal morphology and characters used in identification \nSpider systematics\, phylogeny\, paleontology\, and the history of spider taxonomy \nBehavior\, ecology\, and biodiversity \nInternal morphology and physiology\, including digestion\, toxins\, pheromones\, and silk chemistry and production \nDesigned for students\, researchers\, and naturalists alike\, this course provides a deep and hands-on understanding of one of the most ecologically significant—and often overlooked—groups in the Southern Appalachians.
URL:https://highlandsbiological.org/event/spiders-of-the-southern-appalachians-2/
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/Spiders.jpg
ORGANIZER;CN="Highlands Biological Station":MAILTO:hbs@wcu.edu
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