Highlands Biological Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | August 6
2026-08-06 05:00 - 13:00 (America/Halifax) | Highlands Biological Station, 265 North 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
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 sessions, trained researchers safely capture birds, collect important biological data, and fit each bird with a USGS-issued aluminum band with a unique identification number before release. Data collected may include age, sex, feather condition, wing measurements, and signs of disease or injury.

Visitors strolling through the Highlands Botanical Garden during morning banding sessions are welcome to observe the process and learn more about the birds that call our campus home. This is a wonderful opportunity to experience real, ongoing research and see conservation science in action.
Location: Highlands Biological Station / Cook Pavilion

Cost: Free to observeWeather Note: Bird banding is weather-dependent and may be canceled or rescheduled due to rain, wind, or other conditions that could affect bird safety.

Plastic Pollution on the Plateau: An Overview of Microplastics Research in the Southern Appalachians
2026-08-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd., Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Zahner Conservation Lecture 8
Featured Speaker
Jason Love, Associate Director of Highlands Biological Station, Western Carolina University
Date: Thursday, August 6
Time: 6pm – 7pm
Cost: FREE | No registration required
Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#plastic-pollution
Sponsored by Paul Manos & Diane Lennox
Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Science on the Rocks: Darwin, Wallace, and the Making of The Descent of Man
2026-08-12 16:00 - 17:00 | Weyman Building, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Science on the Rocks: Darwin, Wallace, and the Making of The Descent of Man📅 Wednesday, August 12, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public
Join Highlands Biological Station as we close out the 2026 Science on the Rocks series with a special conversation featuring Dr. Jim Costa and his new book.
In this engaging final talk of the season, Dr. Costa will explore the scientific, historical, and personal forces that helped shape Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man. The talk will trace the intellectual world of Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, examining how their ideas on evolution, natural selection, and humanity developed, overlapped, and diverged.
Drawing from his new book, Dr. Costa will share insights into the history of evolutionary thought, the correspondence and debates that shaped the era, and the “mountain of facts” Darwin worked to organize into one of his most significant works.
Come curious, bring your questions, and settle in for an informal evening of science, history, and conversation at HBS. Attendees are encouraged to bring a beverage of choice.
Presenter: Dr. Jim CostaTopic: Darwin, Wallace, and the making of The Descent of ManLocation: Weyman, Highlands Biological Station
