Highlands Biological Station

Southern Appalachian Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies: Session 2
2026-07-06 - 2026-07-17 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
4 Credit Hours
July 6-17, 2026
Instructors: Session 1: Dr. John Morse, Clemson University & Dr. Alexander Orfinger, Dalton State College. Session 2: Dr. John Morse, Clemson University & Dr. Kelly Murray-Stoker, Emory University
This immersive, two-week course provides a comprehensive introduction to the natural history, evolution, and taxonomy of the three major aquatic insect orders used in freshwater bioassessment: mayflies (Ephemeroptera), stoneflies (Plecoptera), and caddisflies (Trichoptera). Through a combination of several field excursions to Appalachian mountain streams and focused laboratory identification sessions, students will develop the skills needed to recognize EPT larvae—typically to at least genus—and adults to family level.
Course topics include systematics, morphology, behavioral and physiological adaptations for freshwater life, and the ecological roles of EPT taxa in stream ecosystems. Fieldwork emphasizes diverse collecting techniques across multiple stream orders, while laboratory sessions provide structured practice with diagnostic characters and curated identification resources. Throughout the course, students engage with the principles that make EPT taxa foundational to ecological monitoring, water-quality assessment, and aquatic biodiversity research.
Ideal for students in ecology, entomology, environmental science, or freshwater biology, this course offers the rare opportunity to build taxonomic expertise through intensive hands-on training in one of the most biodiverse regions of the Southern Appalachians.

Conservation Biology in the Southern Appalachians
2026-07-20 - 2026-07-31
4 Credit Hours
July 20–31, 2026
Instructors: Dr. Christopher B. Mowry, Berry College
Conservation 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.
Course Overview
Classroom 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:
Patterns, distribution, and measurement of biodiversity
Population modeling and extinction vulnerability
Climate change impacts and adaptation
Habitat loss, fragmentation, and connectivity
Overexploitation, invasive species, and disease
Endangered species management
In situ and ex situ conservation strategies
The roles of local, national, and international conservation organizations
Throughout the course, students will gain exposure to practitioners and researchers whose expertise and on-the-ground experience illuminate real-world conservation challenges and solutions.
Format & Expectations
Each 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:
Field site visits and case studies
Computer modeling exercises
Compilation of a biodiversity journal
Written lab assignments submitted through Canvas
Who Should Enroll
This 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.

Spiders of the Southern Appalachians
2026-07-20 - 2026-07-31
4 Credit Hours
July 20–31, 2026
Instructors: Dr. Sarah Stellwagen, UNC–Charlotte & Dr. Alex Sweger, Hartwick College
This 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.
Afternoons 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.
Evenings 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.
Lecture and discussion sessions will cover:
An introduction to spiders, including family-level diversity and collecting techniques
External morphology and characters used in identification
Spider systematics, phylogeny, paleontology, and the history of spider taxonomy
Behavior, ecology, and biodiversity
Internal morphology and physiology, including digestion, toxins, pheromones, and silk chemistry and production
Designed 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.

Botany Bootcamp
2026-07-27 09:00 - 16:00 (America/Halifax)
Botany Bootcamp
July 27, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Instructor: Dr. Paul Manos, Duke University
Botany Bootcamp is an engaging, hands-on workshop designed to introduce participants to the remarkable diversity of plant life found on the Highlands Plateau. Hosted at the Highlands Biological Station, this immersive day blends short lectures with interactive activities to build a foundational understanding of botany in a relaxed and supportive learning environment.
Throughout the workshop, participants will explore key botanical concepts while examining the structure, form, and growth habits of common native plants found on the Station’s grounds. With guidance from Dr. Paul Manos, participants will learn how botanists observe plants, identify important structures, and recognize patterns that help distinguish different plant groups.
Activities may include:
• Examining plant structures and forms using hand lenses and microscopes
• Sketching flowers, leaves, and other plant features to sharpen observational skills
• Discussing plant adaptations and growth patterns
• Exploring native plants growing on the Highlands Biological Station campus
• Learning the basics of plant identification and botanical terminology
This workshop is designed for beginners and plant enthusiasts alike. No prior botanical experience is required—just curiosity and a willingness to look closely at the plants around us.
Whether you are a nature lover, gardener, artist, educator, or simply interested in learning more about the plants of the Southern Appalachians, Botany Bootcamp offers a fun and accessible introduction to the world of botany.
Join us for a day of discovery as we magnify tiny plant details, practice careful observation, and deepen our appreciation for the incredible diversity of plants on the Highlands Plateau.

Please Bring
• Binoculars if you have them (loaner pairs will be available if needed)
• A lightweight Crazy Creek–style camp chair or small foam pad for sitting
• Weather-appropriate layers and comfortable outdoor footwear

Macrofungi of the Blue Ridge
2026-08-03 - 2026-08-14
4 Credit Hours
August 3–14, 2026
Instructors: Dr. Rachel Swenie, Harvard University
This hands-on course introduces students to the collection, identification, and diversity of macrofungi—including mushrooms—of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains.
Students will develop skills in field collection, morphological and anatomical identification, and specimen preservation for continued study.
Lecture and discussion topics include:
The biology of the mushroom lifecycle
Ecological roles of fungi
Fungal diversity and evolutionary relationships
Documenting and preserving field specimens
DNA barcoding methods
Each day includes a morning field trip followed by an afternoon lecture and laboratory session. In the lab, students will examine and identify collections using morphological analysis and dichotomous keys. Microscopes and chemical reagents will be available for accurate species determinations.
Fungal specimens will be dried and labeled for herbarium preservation, and the lab will remain open in the evenings for additional study and exploration.
