2 Credit Hours May 18–22, 2026 Instructor: Dr. Paul Manos, Duke University Cost: $500.00 This course welcomes students, professional biologists, and plant enthusiasts alike. Centered on the rich botanical diversity of the Highlands Plateau, it provides both an introduction and a refresher on studying vascular plant diversity. Through a community-based lens, participants will explore the flora of the Blue Ridge during field excursions and hands-on identification exercises. Course objectives include: Understanding key distinguishing features among lycophytes, ferns, and seed plants. Learning field characteristics of common and rare species and the habitats they occupy. Developing confidence in using identification keys. Gaining a clearer understanding of the ecology of major regional plant communities and the biogeography of their species. This immersive field experience offers a strong foundation for anyone interested in the botanical richness of the Southern Appalachians.

2 Credit Hours May 25–29, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Joey Shaw, UT-Chattanooga This course is designed for anyone wishing to strengthen their skills in observing, collecting, identifying, and assessing the ecological “quality” of wetland plant species. Accurate identification is essential not only for understanding wetland integrity and ecological condition, but also for conducting professional wetland delineations. Whether you are new to wetland flora or looking to sharpen existing skills, this course offers a supportive environment for learners at multiple levels. Students should have a basic understanding of botanical terminology and plant structures, but there is no expectation that everyone enters with the same experience. Participants may focus on different plant groups—woody species, graminoids, or others—collecting specimens that align with their individual interests. Each day features a field excursion to a local wetland within roughly an hour of the Station. Students will collect plant specimens of interest, then return to the lab for hands-on identification work using dichotomous keys, online herbarium resources, and other reference materials. Together, we will use tools such as coefficients of conservatism to better understand the ecological integrity of the wetlands we explore. While the range of wetland types will be limited to what is found regionally, the focus of the course is on building practical, adaptable identification skills. Throughout the week, Dr. Shaw will serve as a guide in interpreting key couplets, terminology, and diagnostic features. Students will also be encouraged to develop their own reference collections; the final portion of the course will be devoted to assembling and refining these materials. A working draft of the instructor’s forthcoming Second Edition of the Guide to the Vascular Plants of Tennessee will serve as the primary key for species identification, and copies will be provided.

4 Credit Hours May 25 – June 5, 2026 Instructors: Kenneth H. Kozak, Ph.D. (University of Minnesota) & Joseph H. K. Pechmann, Ph.D. (Western Carolina University) The Southern Appalachians are home to one of the richest and most ecologically significant salamander assemblages on Earth. This immersive field- and lab-based course introduces students to the extraordinary diversity, biology, and evolutionary history of these remarkable amphibians. Through a blend of lectures, guided discussions, hands-on laboratory work, and targeted field excursions across multiple Appalachian mountain ranges, students will explore foundational and advanced concepts in evolutionary biology and ecology. Topics include reconstructing evolutionary histories, species concepts and delimitation, life-history variation, population and community dynamics, and the role of salamanders in forest ecosystems. Readings from primary literature will deepen understanding of current research and methodologies. Students will gain experience identifying regional taxa, conducting field and laboratory analyses, and interpreting evolutionary and ecological data—while engaging directly with the landscapes that make the Southern Appalachians a global hotspot for salamander diversity. Prerequisites: Introductory biology, ecology, or evolution, or permission of the instructors.

2 Credit Hours June 1–5, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Joey Shaw, UT-Chattanooga True sedges are famously challenging to identify. With numerous species often growing side by side in the same microhabitats, reduced and specialized floral structures, unique terminology, and diagnostic features that may rely on very small measurements—or even mature material—students of botany can easily feel overwhelmed. It is no surprise that sedges are among the plant groups learners struggle with most. This course focuses on two primary goals: Building fluency in sedge terminology and learning how to confidently apply and interpret that terminology when using identification keys. Understanding the key characteristics that distinguish the many taxonomic sections of the genus Carex—the largest and most complex sedge genus—as well as how to separate Carex from other spring-flowering sedges. Using herbarium specimens, newly collected material, and additional plant samples provided in class, we will assemble an in-room reference collection organized by genus and Carex section. This hands-on approach allows students to compare specimens directly, reinforcing both visual recognition and taxonomic concepts. This workshop is designed to strengthen identification skills and build confidence in working with this large and intricate group of plants. For most participants, our focus will remain at the level of distinguishing Carex sections rather than resolving species-level identifications—though students wishing to work at the species level are welcome and encouraged to do so!

2 Credit Hours June 8–12, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Laura Boggess, Mars Hill University & Mr. Gary Kauffman, USFS (Emeritus) Cliffs and rock outcrops are among the most striking and ecologically distinctive landscapes in the Southern Appalachians. These environments support rare, endemic, and specialized species shaped by extreme conditions and long-term geological processes—yet they remain understudied, in part due to their inaccessibility. Highlands Biological Station lies within one of the most rugged and geologically diverse regions of the Appalachians, offering access to unique communities such as high-elevation granitic domes, rocky summits, cliffs, and montane red cedar woodlands. In this weeklong, field-intensive course, we will explore the emerging field of cliff ecology and conservation. Most of our time will be spent outdoors, developing field skills, observing species assemblages, and examining how organisms interact with one another and with their physical environment. Through complementary lectures, readings, and discussions, we will consider the natural history of these ecosystems, the ways humans engage with them, and how we can shift our relationship toward stewardship and reciprocity. By the end of the course, you will have built a strong foundation in cliff and outcrop ecology, connected with a community of like-minded peers, and deepened your relationship with the distinctive landscapes of the Southern Appalachians.

4 Credit Hours June 15–26, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Rob Bierregaard, Acadamy of Natural Sciences/Drexel University (Retired) This 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. Afternoon 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. By 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.

4 Credit Hours June 21–July 2 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 Cost: $1,000.00 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.

4 Credit Hours July 6–17, 2026 Instructor: Dr. Catherine Haase, Associate Professor, Department of Biology; Principal Investigator, Center of Excellence for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University Explore the remarkable diversity of mammals that call the Southern Appalachian Mountains home. This intensive field course blends lecture, laboratory, and hands-on field experiences to immerse students in the biology, ecology, and conservation of regional mammalian species. Students will study the defining characteristics, taxonomy, and adaptations of major mammalian Orders and Families—paying particular attention to those species most representative of the Southern Appalachians. In the lab, participants will work with museum specimens such as skulls and skins to develop identification and diagnostic skills while learning key terminology in anatomy and morphology. Field components of the course will introduce essential wildlife research techniques, including live-trapping with Sherman traps, mark-recapture studies, and radio telemetry for tracking movement and population ecology. Students will collect, analyze, and interpret field data that reflect professional research practices in mammalogy and conservation biology. Lecture topics will cover mammalian physiology, metabolism and thermoregulation, reproductive strategies, environmental adaptations, feeding ecology, spatial behavior, and the conservation challenges facing Appalachian mammal populations. Assessments include a lab practical, a lecture exam, and an oral presentation focusing on a unique adaptation that enables a mammalian species to thrive in this biodiverse region. By the end of the course, students will be able to: Identify local mammal species and understand their ecological and physiological adaptations Apply analytical and field techniques to evaluate habitat use and population dynamics Gain practical experience that builds a foundation for careers in wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation science This course offers a comprehensive and immersive introduction to mammalogy and field ecology within one of North America’s most biologically rich mountain regions.

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.

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.