Hemlocks & Other Old Growth Trees: Educational Walk
2026-09-19 10:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | HBS North Campus, 111 Lower Lake Road, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Highlands Biological Station · Coker Trail · Highlands, NC
Free — RSVP required
Join the Hemlock Restoration Initiative and Highlands Biological Station for an Old Growth Forest edition of our educational hemlock walk.
You’ll walk the Coker Trail beneath healthy hemlocks in an HRI Hemlock Conservation Area — and stand among some of the largest and oldest trees in the Eastern United States. Spanning roughly 3.7 acres, this rare forest remnant holds eastern hemlocks exceeding 3.3 feet in diameter, with the largest reaching 4.2 feet. The oldest hemlock in the stand is at least 467 years old — the oldest known in the Southern Appalachians — and many others exceed 250 years.
A relic of the primeval forest that once blanketed the Highlands Plateau, the Coker Forest also features Northern Red Oak, Tulip Poplar, Yellow Birch, and Mountain Laurel, with Rosebay Rhododendron carpeting the understory. Now part of the Old Growth Forest Network, it helps protect regional biodiversity and offers a glimpse into the area’s ecological past.
What you’ll learn
Your hike leaders will cover the ecological importance of hemlocks, what’s causing their decline, and what’s being done about it. A representative from Highlands Biological Station will teach tree species identification and share the history of the forest.
Know before you go
The walk is a short 0.5-mile out-and-back. However, the trail receives minimal maintenance and includes steep inclines. Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. We plan to be back at our vehicles by 1:00 PM.
In case of poor weather, the hike will be rescheduled to Saturday, September 26.
Registration
The hike is free to attend, but your RSVP is required. Please sign up by Monday, September 14: https://savehemlocksnc.org/saturday-september-19th-2026-hemlocks-and-other-old-growth-trees-educational-walk-at-highlands-biological-station/
Questions? Contact Olivia Hall at education@savehemlocksnc.org or 828-252-4783.

Highlands on the Half-Shell
2026-10-04 16:00 - 19:00 | The Meadow at Highlands Biological Foundation, 888 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us Sunday, October 4 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM for an outdoor Cajun-inspired celebration in the heart of Highlands. Set in the cozy Valentine Meadow at the Highlands Biological Station, this festive evening features a feast of Southern coastal flavors served up with community spirit and mountain charm.
Highlands on the Half-Shell is one of Highlands Biological Foundation’s largest annual fundraisers. Proceeds support our mission to provide exceptional nature education, support scientific research, and foster community connection to the natural world in the Southern Appalachians. Your ticket directly supports our work and helps protect the incredible biodiversity of our region.
This beloved event is made possible by generous volunteers and community members who lend their time, talent, and tastebuds to create something truly special.
Purchase tickets: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/highlands-on-the-half-shell/
