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.

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.

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.