MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | July 27
2026-07-27 05:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Highlands Biological Station, 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
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.
Established 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.

Visitors 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.
Location: Highlands Biological Station / Cook Pavilion

Cost: 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.

Botany Bootcamp
2026-07-27 09:00 - 16:00 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
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

Salamander Meander
2026-07-28 20:00 - 21:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.
All ages welcome
Weather dependent
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://highlandsbiological.org/naturecenternights/#july-28
Free Nature Center programming provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

Science on the Rocks: Conservation Research on Kral’s Water Plantain
2026-07-29 16:00 - 17:00 | Weyman Building, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Science on the Rocks: Conservation Research on Kral’s Water Plantain📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public
Join Grant-in-Aid researcher Jake Thompson for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation about Kral’s water plantain (Sagittaria secundifolia), a threatened aquatic plant with an important conservation story.
Jake’s research focuses on the propagation, growth, and reproduction of this rare species, helping build a better understanding of what it needs to survive and how conservation efforts might support its future.
Come curious, bring your questions, and settle in for a relaxed evening of science and conversation at HBS. Attendees are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice.
Presenter: Jake Thompson, Grant-in-Aid ResearcherTopic: Conservation research on Kral’s water plantainLocation: Weyman, Highlands Biological Station

Connecting Appalachia: Wildlife Connectivity, Corridors, and Road Crossings
2026-07-30 18:00 - 19:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Zahner Conservation Lecture 7
Featured Speaker
Liz Hillard, PhD, Senior Wildlife Biologist-Appalachian Region for Wildlands Network
Date: Thursday, July 30
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Cost: FREE | No registration required
Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#connecting-appalachia
Sponsored by Lori & Ed Heys
Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Macrofungi of the Blue Ridge
2026-08-03 - 2026-08-14 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
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.

Millipede Night Crawl
2026-08-04 20:00 - 21:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Creep into the nighttime world of one of the forest’s most fascinating decomposers! Join our Naturalists for a closer look at millipedes as we explore the forest floor and discover how these many-legged creatures play an important role in keeping our ecosystem healthy.
All ages welcome
Weather dependent
REGISTRATION REQUIRED: https://highlandsbiological.org/naturecenternights/#august-4
Free Nature Center programming provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

Science on the Rocks: The Hidden Chemical World of Salamanders
2026-08-05 16:00 - 17:00 | Weyman Building, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Science on the Rocks: The Hidden Chemical World of Salamanders📅 Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public
Join Grant-in-Aid researcher Paul Nicolosi for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation about the hidden chemical world of salamanders.
Paul’s research focuses on the functional characterization of chemosensory secretions in plethodontid salamanders, offering a fascinating look at how these lungless amphibians use chemical signals to interact with their environment and with one another.
Come curious, bring your questions, and settle in for a relaxed evening of science and conversation at HBS. Attendees are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice.
Presenter: Paul Nicolosi, Grant-in-Aid ResearcherTopic: SalamandersLocation: Weyman, Highlands Biological Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | August 6
2026-08-06 05:00 - 13:00 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States

Plastic Pollution on the Plateau: An Overview of Microplastics Research in the Southern Appalachians
2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Zahner Conservation Lecture 8
Featured Speaker
Jason Love, Associate Director of Highlands Biological Station, Western Carolina University
Date: Thursday, August 6
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Cost: FREE | No registration required
Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#plastic-pollution
Sponsored by Paul Manos & Diane Lennox
Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Science on the Rocks: Darwin, Wallace, and the Making of The Descent of Man
2026-08-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Weyman Building, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Science on the Rocks: Darwin, Wallace, and the Making of The Descent of Man📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public
Join Highlands Biological Station as we close out the 2026 Science on the Rocks series with a special conversation featuring Dr. Jim Costa and his new book.
In this engaging final talk of the season, Dr. Costa will explore the scientific, historical, and personal forces that helped shape Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man. The talk will trace the intellectual world of Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, examining how their ideas on evolution, natural selection, and humanity developed, overlapped, and diverged.
Drawing from his new book, Dr. Costa will share insights into the history of evolutionary thought, the correspondence and debates that shaped the era, and the “mountain of facts” Darwin worked to organize into one of his most significant works.
Come curious, bring your questions, and settle in for an informal evening of science, history, and conversation at HBS. Attendees are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice.
Presenter: Dr. Jim CostaTopic: Darwin, Wallace, and the making of The Descent of ManLocation: Weyman, Highlands Biological Station
