Highlands Biological Station

CANCELED: Going Batty
2020-06-16 20:30 - 21:30 UTC | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
June 16th, 8:30 PM- 9:30 PM
Nature Center Nights: Going Batty
Discover the nocturnal mammals who take to the skies! Learn about the fascinating world of bats, then join naturalists in the Botanical Garden to seek them out. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure! This program is weather-dependent.

CANCELED: Fishes Workshop
2020-06-16 09:30 - 15:00 | NC
Fishes of the Tuckasegee with Jason Meador
June 16th, 9:30 AM – 3:00 PM
Western North Carolina has the richest aquatic diversity in the state. Come see fish unique to this area, understand why they are found here and why they are vulnerable to extirpation.
Learning objectives:

Electrofishing Lower Caney Fork to assess stream quality using fish as bio-indicators. Students will learn electrofishing methods for wadeable mountain streams and fish identification.
Snorkel the Tuckasegee River. Students can observe fish (and other aquatic organisms) in their natural environment. Develop a better understanding of the importance of aquatic habitat and sources of habitat loss. Observe interactions among aquatic organisms.

We will begin with a presentation to cover an introduction of the area, safety, endemic species, and methods (30 minutes), 45 minute drive to E Laporte Park, electrofishing (1 hour), break for lunch, and then snorkel (1.5 hours). Price of workshop includes wetsuit and snorkeling gear.
Jason Meador is Mainspring’s Conservation Trust’s Aquatic Programs Manager. He is responsible for engaging youth and adults in the community in the work of Mainspring. He coordinates stream restoration activities and the Biomonitoring Program. Jason received his B.S. in Marine Sciences from North Carolina State University (2004). He later completed his M.S. in Forestry and Natural Resources (2008) with a concentration in fish/wildlife populations, specifically working with freshwater mussels.
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Eco Trekkers: Highs and Lows Begins (Ages 10+)
2020-06-16 09:00 - 16:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Explore the wonders of the Blue Ridge on all-day hikes! Adventure to overlooks in the area, take a dip in a mountain stream, and see how the world changes as we go from high on mountaintops to low in the valleys.
Please Note: This camp includes an optional campout Thursday night on the Highlands Biological Station property. Campers will cook dinner and breakfast over a fire, play games, and learn basic outdoor skills. This camp also includes an optional zipline trip through the Highlands Aerial Park Friday afternoon.
Registration required.

CANCELED: EPT 1 Course Begins (15th-26th)
2020-06-15 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Southern Appalachian Mayflies, Stoneflies, & Caddisflies [Session 1]: June 15 – June 26
Dr. John Morse, Clemson University
Natural history and taxonomy of mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera), including systematics, ecology, and behavior of larvae and adults, with emphasis on those aspects important in ecological studies, biological monitoring of water quality, and sports fishing. Insects will be collected from diverse mountain stream habitats, and identifications will be performed in the laboratory. Students may opt to take the Society for Freshwater Science’s Taxonomic Certification exam of eastern EPT to genus at the end of the course (http://www.sfstcp.com/).
Prerequisites: General biology, ecology, or permission of instructor
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Mammals Course Begins (15th-26th)
2020-06-15 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Southern Appalachian Mammals: June 15 – 26
Dr. Ed Pivorun, Clemson University & Ms. Rada Petric UNC-Greensboro (download syllabus)
This mammals course will emphasize the mammalian fauna of the Southern Appalachians. We will have traditional lectures on mammalian anatomy, evolution, orders, physiology and ecology for about 1 ½ hours every morning. Field work will emphasize live trapping techniques. Mammals tend to be nocturnal. Thus, all traps will be set out in the late afternoon and will be checked early the next morning. These efforts will allow the student to become familiar with as many living local species of mammals as possible. The field work will examine the importance of specific habitats for the distribution and density of specific species. After a short break, we will move into the lecture setting until noon. In the early afternoon, after lunch, we will spend another 1 ½- 2 hours to do some more of the traditional mammalogy labs on anatomy, identification and keying. An interactive DVD/flash drive provided to each student contains high resolution images of the skulls of each species native to the Appalachian forests. This is an excellent study aid that is used in conjunction with the actual skulls and study skins of each species.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology, zoology, or permission of the instructor.
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Salamander Bio Course Ends (1st-13th)
2020-06-13 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Biology of Southern Appalachian Salamanders: June 1 – June 13
Dr. Ken Kozak, University of Minnesota & Dr. Joe Pechmann, WCU (download syllabus)
The Southern Appalachians are renowned for the diversity of their salamander fauna. This course acquaints students with these salamanders and shows how studies of them have enhanced our understanding of such major evolutionary and ecological topics as the reconstruction of evolutionary histories, species concepts, life history evolution, and community structure. Each topic will include lectures, field and laboratory exercises, and discussions of original research papers. Field trips to significant salamander locations in different southern Appalachian mountain ranges highlight the course.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology, ecology or evolution, or permission of instructor.
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Habitat Hikers Ends (Ages 7-9)
2020-06-12 09:00 - 13:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Spot the animals living all around us! Dig into the dirt, trek through streams, and look through your binoculars to uncover hidden habitats and the creatures that live there.
Registration required.

CANCELED: Who's Hoo? Ends (Ages 4-6)
2020-06-12 09:00 - 11:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Get to know your nature neighbors! Go searching for salamanders in streams, come across caterpillars creeping through the Botanical Garden, and learn about animal life cycles.
Registration required.

CANCELED: Bird Course Ends (1st-12th)
2020-06-12 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Biology & Conservation of Birds: June 1 – June 12
Dr. Rob Bierregaard, Drexel University & Academy of Natural Science
Bird diversity is extremely high in the southern Appalachian mountain and Blue Ridge Escarpment region, an area that includes a wide range of plant community types over a nearly 4000-foot range in elevation. This basic course in ornithology covers morphology, systematics, ecology, conservation, and behavior of birds. Numerous field trips in the local area will acquaint students with the rich bird fauna of the region.
Scholarships Available from the Highlands Plateau Audubon Society.
Prerequisites: Introductory biology, ecology, or permission of instructor.
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Starlight Stroll
2020-06-09 21:00 - 22:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
June 9th 9 pm-10 pm
Nature Center Nights: Starlight Stroll
Unlock the history and mystery of the cosmos as we study the night sky! Hear stories of the stars from different cultures and learn to identify summer constellations. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure! This program is weather-dependent.

CANCELED: Habitat Hikers Begins (Ages 7-9)
2020-06-09 09:00 - 13:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States

CANCELED: Who's Hoo? Begins (Ages 4-6)
2020-06-09 09:00 - 11:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States

CANCELED: Savvy Survivors Ends (Ages 7-9)
2020-06-05 09:00 - 13:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Discover what crafty creatures are all around us! Catch insects, salamanders, and more to study how they survive and learn all about their life cycles.
Registration required.

CANCELED: Crafty Critters Ends (Ages 4-6)
2020-06-05 09:00 - 11:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Find out the secrets to survival! Discover through games and art how animals hide in plain sight, forage for food, and live in strange worlds in our marvelous mountains.
Registration required.

CANCELED: Salamander Meander (public)
2020-06-02 21:00 - 22:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
June 2nd 9 pm-10 pm
Nature Center Nights: Salamander Meander [Public]
Kick off Highlands Nature Center’s summer season searching for salamanders in the Botanical Garden! Discover strange and fascinating facts about our slimy
amphibian friends, then join naturalists on a walk through the gardens to find
local species. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure! This program is
weather-dependent.

CANCELED: Savvy Survivors Begins (Ages 7-9)
2020-06-02 09:00 - 13:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States

CANCELED: Crafty Critters Begins (Ages 4-6)
2020-06-02 09:00 - 11:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States

VIRTUAL Yoga in the Garden
2020-06-01 17:30 - 18:30 | NC
Highlands Biological Station has partnered with Yoga Highlands to bring you Yoga in the Garden.
Grab your yoga mat, and join Rachel Kinback (CYT 500) of Yoga Highlands on the 1st Monday of the month (May-August) for yoga in the Botanical Garden. The video will be posted on the HBS Facebook page at 5:30 p.m. Come connect with nature and unwind your mind and body from the bustle of Mondays.
These yoga sessions are free to the public, but donations are accepted.

LIVESTREAM: A Garden in Every Season Tour
2020-06-01 11:30 - 12:30 | NC
There is always something changing in the Highlands Botanical Garden! Take a guided tour to see what’s new in our demonstration gardens and among the hundreds of species that call our campus home.
Tours are on the 1st Monday of every month from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm.
Tours are weather dependent.
This tour will be live streamed on the HBS Facebook page (@highlandsbiologicalstation).
The Highlands Biological Station is a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.
For more information, call (828) 526-2623.

CANCELED: Salamander Bio Course Begins (1st-13th)
2020-06-01 08:00 - 17:00 | NC

CANCELED: Bird Course Begins (1st-12th)
2020-06-01 08:00 - 17:00 | NC

CANCELED: Salamander Meander (Members only)
2020-05-29 21:00 - 22:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
May 29th 9 pm-10 pm
Nature Center Nights: Salamander Meander [MEMBERS ONLY]
Kick off Highlands Nature Center’s summer season searching for salamanders in the Botanical Garden! Discover strange and fascinating facts about our slimy
amphibian friends, then join naturalists on a walk through the gardens to find
local species. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure! This program is
weather-dependent.

CANCELED: Sedges Course Ends (25th-29th)
2020-05-29 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Sedges of the Blue Ridge: May 25 – May 29
Dr. Dwayne Estes, Austin Peay University
This is an advanced class for students or professionals with solid prior experience with plant identification, plant terminology, and use of dichotomous keys. The class focuses on the difficult and taxonomically complex genus Carex, which includes for our region about 200 species. Carex is an important genus in almost all terrestrial plant communities. Some forests or wetlands may have more than 20 species present in a single site. The species include many look-alikes and the high number of species coupled with reliance on characters that often need identification to see makes Carex one of the more difficult groups of plants to identify in the region. For this class, we will focus on the species of the greater Southern Appalachian region. The genus will be broken down into 40+ sections and students will become familiar with the characters of each section. Each student will be given a minimum of 75 freshly collected Carex species to use in class and to make a reference herbarium set if desired. This will be supplemented with additional observations of species in the field and laboratory, using living and preserved herbarium material.
Prerequisites: field botany, plant taxonomy, or permission of instructor.
Click here to apply.

LIVESTREAM: A Garden in Every Season Tour
2020-05-25 11:30 - 12:30 | NC
There is always something changing in the Highlands Botanical Garden! Take a virtual guided tour to see what’s new in our demonstration gardens and among the hundreds of species that call our campus home.
Tours are on the 1st Monday of every month from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Tours are also every Monday in May!
Tours are weather dependent.
This tour will be live streamed on the HBS Facebook page (@highlandsbiologicalstation).
The Highlands Biological Station is a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University.
For more information, call (828) 526-2623.

CANCELED: Sedges Course Begins (25th-29th)
2020-05-25 08:00 - 17:00 | NC

CANCELED: Nature Center open for Memorial Day Weekend
2020-05-24 12:00 - 16:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Highlands Nature Center will be open Sunday, May 24th, 12 pm – 4 pm for Memorial Day Weekend.

CANCELED: Nature Center opens (summer hours)
2020-05-22 10:00 - 17:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Highlands Nature Center follows its summer hours May 22nd – August 8th.
Hours:
Open on Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 5 pm
Closed on Sunday

CANCELED: Grasses Course Ends (18th-22nd)
2020-05-22 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Grasses of the Southern Appalachians: May 18 – May 22
Dr. Paul Mckenzie, USFWS, Emeritus
This class will include a detailed description of the grass flower, inflorescence type, habitat and ecological associations, Tribal affinities, distribution, and habit differences. The class will be taught in four parts: 1) power point presentation and classroom instruction, 2) examination of important features with hand lens and dissecting scope, 3) team keying of grass specimens, and 4) field identification.
Dichotomous keys, hard copy print outs of power point presentation, and other handouts will be provided by the instructor. Tips for proper collection; processing; label development; herbaria deposition of grass specimens; and suggested websites/electronic tools helpful in grass study will also be discussed.
Suggested references/materials recommended or required (*) include the following:
Hand lens (*): A 16x is preferred over a 10x loupe.
Clark, L.G. and R.W. Pohl. Agnes Chase’s First Book of Grasses- the Structure of grasses explained for beginners. 4th Smithsonian Books. Washington, D.C. 127 pp. This book is inexpensive and an absolute must for anyone wanting to understand grass identification.
Harrington, H.D. 1957. How to identify plants. Swallow Press. Athens, Ohio. 207 pp. This book provides description and illustrated glossary of terms often used in plant identification regarding flowering and fruit types, surface structure, leaf shape, root and stem types, etc.
Harrington, H.D. 1977. How to identify grasses and grasslike plants. Swallow Press. Athens, Ohio. 154 pp. This is a follow up book to the Harrington (1957) classic but with a more focused look on grasses. It also has an excellent illustrated glossary.
Prerequisites: Some experienced with using dichotomous keys will facilitate learning in the class. Although not required, previous classwork in plant taxonomy and experience with field botany will be beneficial.
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Bryophytes ID Course Ends (18th-22nd)
2020-05-22 08:00 - 17:00 | NC
Identification of Bryophytes: May 18- May 22
Dr. Paul Davison, University of North Alabama & Ms. Becky Smucker, Asheville, NC
The Highlands area harbors an incredible diversity and abundance of bryophytes and is the perfect setting for this course that will focus on the identification of mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. Considerable time will be devoted to microscopic study and the techniques needed to successfully demonstrate character states. Taxonomic keys to local genera will be provided. Habitat requirements and local diversity will be explored during daily field trips. Lectures will explain morphological features used in identification. In addition to morphology and ecology of bryophytes in general, participants will be introduced to regional species of conservation concern. Participants will build a personal herbarium of reference specimens. This course is suitable for naturalists, professionals, and advanced undergraduate/graduate students with a strong interest in practical taxonomy that relies on microscopic characters.
Prerequisites: field botany, plant taxonomy, or permission of the instructor.
Click here to apply.

CANCELED: Nature 101: Wonderful Wildflowers
2020-05-19 13:00 - 14:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
More info. to come!
