Biology and Conservation of Birds

Instructor: Dr. Rob Bierregaard (Drexel University & Academy of Natural Sciences) 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 […]

NatureTime StoryTime

Highlands Nature Center

May 29 | June 12 | June 19 | June 26 10:30 AM Highlands Nature Center FREE | No registration necessary Join local storyteller Ms. KK at the Highlands Nature Center as she reads fun books and sings silly songs all about the great outdoors. After the StoryTime fun, Ms. KK will take you on […]

Free

A Buggy Evening

Highlands Nature Center

June 13th (Register HERE)                                            9 - 10 PM FREE, all ages welcome Registration required Experience the world of our smallest nocturnal creatures—insects! Learn to identify unique and beautiful insects then join naturalists to look for […]

Free

A Buggy Evening

Highlands Nature Center

June 14th (Register HERE)                                         9 - 10 PM FREE, all ages welcome Registration required Experience the world of our smallest nocturnal creatures—insects! Learn to identify unique and beautiful insects then join naturalists to look for fireflies and […]

Free

Zahner Lecture 1

Highlands Nature Center

Lecture 1 - Birds, Big Data, and Citizen Science: Understanding the Impacts of Global Change Featured Speaker: Allen Hurlbert, Ph.D.; Professor of Biology; University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Date: Thursday, June 15th Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE Sponsored by Kim & Rich Daugherty and Kathy & Bestor Ward. As the world undergoes […]

Free

Biology and Identification of Ferns

Highlands Biological Station 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, United States

Instructor: Dr. Joey Shaw (UT-Chattanooga) Students will obtain a comprehensive understanding of the seedless vascular plants, or cryptogams, or pteridophytes, including ferns and fern allies like lycopodium, and obscure taxa like the Appalachian gametophyte. Within the framework of classification, taxonomy, and evolution, we will dive deeply into studies of life cycles, morphology, basic anatomy, ecology, […]

NatureTime StoryTime

Highlands Nature Center

June 19 & June 26 10:30 AM Highlands Nature Center FREE | No registration necessary Join local storyteller Ms. KK at the Highlands Nature Center as she reads fun books and sings silly songs all about the great outdoors. After the StoryTime fun, Ms. KK will take you on an interactive adventure walk! This program […]

Free

Folklore & Explore

Highlands Nature Center

June 20th (Register HERE) 9 - 10 PM FREE, all ages welcome Registration required Curious about old wives’ tales, superstitions, & Sasquatch?  Explore the natural, night-time beauty of the Botanical Garden while unearthing fascinating tales of Appalachian lore. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure! This program is weather-dependent.

Free

Folklore & Explore

Highlands Nature Center

June 21st (Register HERE)            9 - 10 PM FREE, all ages welcome Registration required Curious about old wives’ tales, superstitions, & Sasquatch?  Explore the natural, night-time beauty of the Botanical Garden while unearthing fascinating tales of Appalachian lore. Please bring a flashlight for this adventure! This program is weather-dependent.

Free

Zahner Lecture 2

Highlands Nature Center

Lecture 2 - Native Plants for the Vegetable Garden Featured Speaker: Adam Bigelow; Plant Nerd and Guide; Bigelow’s Botanical Excursions Date: Thursday, June 22nd Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE Sponsored by Vicki & Donny Ferguson. Native plants benefit us, our gardens, and the landscapes and ecosystems we depend on. Learn about the benefits of […]

Free