2 Credit Hours May 4–8, 2026 Instructor: Dr. Paul McKenzie, Retired Endangered Species Coordinator, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Volunteer and Independent Contractor This course provides a comprehensive introduction to the identification, morphology, and ecology of grasses native to the Southern Appalachian region. Through a combination of lectures, lab-based keying exercises, and immersive field excursions, […]

May begins Herpetology Season! Hop, slither, or slide down to the Highlands Nature Center to learn about the reptiles and amphibians we share the world with. Connect with one of our Education Specialists to learn more about what ecoEXPLORE challenges are offered in May, and stay tuned to find out about the upcoming Salamander Meanders! […]

May begins Herpetology Season! Hop, slither, or slide down to the Highlands Nature Center to learn about the reptiles and amphibians we share the world with. Connect with one of our Education Specialists to learn more about what ecoEXPLORE challenges are offered in May, and stay tuned to find out about the upcoming Salamander Meanders! […]

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 […]

COURSE FULL - Join the waitlist via the link provided below 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 […]

May begins Herpetology Season! Hop, slither, or slide down to the Highlands Nature Center to learn about the reptiles and amphibians we share the world with. Connect with one of our Education Specialists to learn more about what ecoEXPLORE challenges are offered in May, and stay tuned to find out about the upcoming Salamander Meanders! […]

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. […]

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 […]

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 […]

Botany Bootcamp June 1, 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 […]