Find your way into the woods

Foundation

Nature Center Drawing Club

Thu, Oct 23 · 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Do you enjoy drawing or find inspiration in nature? Join us for the Nature Center’s Drawing Club! We’ll start with a drawing prompt and then spend some time out on the garden trails.

FoundationGuided Walk

Morning Bird Walk

Sat, Oct 25 · 8 am – 9 am

Highlands Nature Center

Eyes to the skies! Birders of all skill levels are welcome to join us as we take an easy walk around the garden to find our feathered friends. Binoculars available to borrow.

Foundation

Black Bear Bonanza! (All Day Drop-In)

Sat, Oct 25 · 10 am – 4 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center for drop-in learning about black bears! All ages welcome | FREE | No registration required! Program funded by:

Foundation

Enchanted Forest – Cancelled – But Stop By This Weekend!

Tue, Oct 28 · 5 pm – 6:30 pm

Highlands Biological Station Amphitheater

🌧 UPDATE: Enchanted Forest Cancelled Due to Monday's rain, our forest trails are too soggy and slippery for tonight’s Enchanted Forest event — but the fun isn’t over! 🎃 Join us this Friday & Saturday (Oct 31–Nov 1) for a self-guided Halloween Scavenger Hunt through the Highlands Botanical Garden between 10 AM–4 PM.

Station

A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story

Wed, Oct 29 · 4 pm – 6 pm

Lewis Hall

A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story Date: Wednesday, October 29, 2025Time: 4:00 PMLocation: Lewis Hall, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NCAdmission: Free and open to the public In 1915, a young, charismatic Japanese man with a mysterious past entered the Appalachian culture of Asheville, North Carolina.

Foundation

Snake Feeding

Sat, Nov 1 · 11 am – 11:30 am

Highlands Nature Center

Saturdays in November (through 11/22) Watch our resident snakes enjoy their lunch while learning all about these fascinating reptiles! Program provided by:

Foundation

Snake Feeding

Sat, Nov 8 · 11 am – 11:30 am

Highlands Nature Center

Saturdays in November (through 11/22) Watch our resident snakes enjoy their lunch while learning all about these fascinating reptiles! Program provided by:

FoundationGuided Walk

Morning Bird Walk

Sat, Nov 15 · 8 am – 9 am

HBS North Campus

Eyes to the skies! Birders of all skill levels are welcome to join us as we take an easy walk around the garden to find our feathered friends. Binoculars available to borrow.

Foundation

Snake Feeding

Sat, Nov 15 · 11 am – 11:30 am

Highlands Nature Center

Saturdays in November (through 11/22) Watch our resident snakes enjoy their lunch while learning all about these fascinating reptiles! Program provided by:

Foundation

Snake Feeding

Sat, Nov 22 · 11 am – 11:30 am

Highlands Nature Center

Saturdays in November (through 11/22) Watch our resident snakes enjoy their lunch while learning all about these fascinating reptiles! Program provided by:

Foundation

Nature Center Wrap-Up (Drop-In)

Fri, Dec 5 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to get into the holiday spirit and create personalized gift wrap and handmade cards! Enjoy this fun and festive activity together as a family, or as a chance to wrap up the holiday magic.

Foundation

Nature Center Wrap-Up (Drop-In)

Fri, Dec 12 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to get into the holiday spirit and create personalized gift wrap and handmade cards! Enjoy this fun and festive activity together as a family, or as a chance to wrap up the holiday magic.

Foundation

Nature Center Wrap-Up (Drop-In)

Sat, Dec 13 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to get into the holiday spirit and create personalized gift wrap and handmade cards! Enjoy this fun and festive activity together as a family, or as a chance to wrap up the holiday magic.

Foundation

Nature Center Wrap-Up (Drop-In)

Fri, Dec 19 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to get into the holiday spirit and create personalized gift wrap and handmade cards! Enjoy this fun and festive activity together as a family, or as a chance to wrap up the holiday magic.

Foundation

Nature Center Wrap-Up (Drop-In)

Sat, Dec 20 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to get into the holiday spirit and create personalized gift wrap and handmade cards! Enjoy this fun and festive activity together as a family, or as a chance to wrap up the holiday magic.

Station

Winter Break Closure

Dec 24, 2025 – Jan 2, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

In accordance with Western Carolina University’s holiday schedule and protocol, the Highlands Biological Station will be closed to the public from Wednesday, December 24, 2025, through Friday, January 2, 2026.

Foundation

Who’s Out There? (Drop-in Station)

Fri, Jan 16 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to learn about the winter wildlife found across the Highlands Plateau.

Foundation

The Skin You’re In (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Jan 16 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Do you think you can identify an animal by its fur? Drop in for a few minutes, or stay and pair the ‘Who’s Out There?’ activities with this hands-on opportunity to see and feel a variety of animal skins!

Foundation

Who’s Out There? (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Jan 17 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to learn about the winter wildlife found across the Highlands Plateau.

Foundation

The Skin You’re In (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Jan 17 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Do you think you can identify an animal by its fur? Drop in for a few minutes, or stay and pair the ‘Who’s Out There?’ activities with this hands-on opportunity to see and feel a variety of animal skins!

Foundation

The Skin You’re In (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Jan 30 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Do you think you can identify an animal by its fur? Drop in for a few minutes, or stay and pair the ‘Who’s Out There?’ activities with this hands-on opportunity to see and feel a variety of animal skins!

Foundation

Who’s Out There? (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Jan 30 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to learn about the winter wildlife found across the Highlands Plateau.

Foundation

CANCELED The Skin You’re In (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Jan 31 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

⚠️ ❄️ The Nature center will be closed January 31st due to winter storm warnings. Stay safe everyone! Do you think you can identify an animal by its fur?

Foundation

CANCELED Who’s Out There? (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Jan 31 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

⚠️ ❄️ The Nature center will be closed January 31st due to winter storm warnings. Stay safe everyone! Join us at the Nature Center to learn about the winter wildlife found across the Highlands Plateau.

Foundation

Bee-My-Valentine (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Feb 13 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to celebrate your love for the outdoors! We will be crafting nature-themed Valentines to share and spend some time getting to know others within our community.

Foundation

Bee-My-Valentine (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Feb 14 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to celebrate your love for the outdoors! We will be crafting nature-themed Valentines to share and spend some time getting to know others within our community.

Foundation

Nature Center ROCKS! (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Feb 27 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Have you ever heard of The Kindness Rocks Project? This weekend at the Nature Center, we will gather to create a garden of kindness through art and community. Supplies will be provided.

Foundation

Nature Center ROCKS! (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Feb 28 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Have you ever heard of The Kindness Rocks Project? This weekend at the Nature Center, we will gather to create a garden of kindness through art and community. Supplies will be provided.

StationWorkshop

Protecting Our Hemlocks: Public Workshop at Highlands Biological Station

Wed, Mar 11 · 10 am – 4 pm

Highlands Biological Station

Join us on March 11 for a special outdoor workshop focused on the conservation and treatment of eastern hemlocks. Led by licensed professionals, this hands-on program will introduce participants to hemlock health assessment, treatment decision-making, and application methods used to combat hemlock woolly adelgid.

Foundation

ecoEXPLORE Plant Scavenger Hunt (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Mar 13 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Spring is right around the corner, and we’re already seeing some fresh pops of green! We will kick off the ecoEXPLORE Botany Field Season with a plant scavenger hunt along the Botanical Garden trails and the Boardwalk.

Foundation

Tree Texture Investigation (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Mar 13 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to make your very own Bark Book! Enjoy a stroll through the forest to create unique texture impressions of different tree bark patterns, and learn some tips and tricks to help you identify your findings.

Foundation

ecoEXPLORE Plant Scavenger Hunt (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Mar 14 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Spring is right around the corner, and we’re already seeing some fresh pops of green! We will kick off the ecoEXPLORE Botany Field Season with a plant scavenger hunt along the Botanical Garden trails and the Boardwalk.

Foundation

Tree Texture Investigation (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Mar 14 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to make your very own Bark Book! Enjoy a stroll through the forest to create unique texture impressions of different tree bark patterns, and learn some tips and tricks to help you identify your findings.

Station

The Lost (and Found!) Shortia: HBS Oconee Bells 2026!

Mar 21 – 22, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

Celebrate one of the Southern Appalachians’ most beloved and enigmatic wildflowers during this special two-day Oconee Bells program led by Dr. Jim Costa and Dr. Cynthia Woodsong.

Foundation

ecoEXPLORE Plant Scavenger Hunt (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Mar 27 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Spring is right around the corner, and we’re already seeing some fresh pops of green! We will kick off the ecoEXPLORE Botany Field Season with a plant scavenger hunt along the Botanical Garden trails and the Boardwalk.

Foundation

Tree Texture Investigation (Drop-In Station)

Fri, Mar 27 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to make your very own Bark Book! Enjoy a stroll through the forest to create unique texture impressions of different tree bark patterns, and learn some tips and tricks to help you identify your findings.

Foundation

ecoEXPLORE Plant Scavenger Hunt (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Mar 28 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Spring is right around the corner, and we’re already seeing some fresh pops of green! We will kick off the ecoEXPLORE Botany Field Season with a plant scavenger hunt along the Botanical Garden trails and the Boardwalk.

Foundation

Tree Texture Investigation (Drop-In Station)

Sat, Mar 28 · 10 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us at the Nature Center to make your very own Bark Book! Enjoy a stroll through the forest to create unique texture impressions of different tree bark patterns, and learn some tips and tricks to help you identify your findings.

Foundation

BioBlitz Boogy!

Apr 2 – 4, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

Become a wildlife explorer and discover what’s living right in our backyard! Join us at the Highlands Nature Center to participate in an ecoEXPLORE BioBlitz.

Foundation

BioBlitz Boogy!

Apr 9 – 11, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

Become a wildlife explorer and discover what’s living right in our backyard! Join us at the Highlands Nature Center to participate in an ecoEXPLORE BioBlitz.

StationWorkshop

Mammal Diversity and Habitat Workshop

Apr 15 – Jun 16, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

Mammal Diversity and Habitat Workshop June 17–18, 2026 Instructor: Patrick Brannon This two-day workshop introduces participants to the rich diversity of mammals found in the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Foundation

BioBlitz Boogy!

Apr 16 – 18, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

Become a wildlife explorer and discover what’s living right in our backyard! Join us at the Highlands Nature Center to participate in an ecoEXPLORE BioBlitz.

Foundation

BioBlitz Boogy!

Apr 23 – 25, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

Become a wildlife explorer and discover what’s living right in our backyard! Join us at the Highlands Nature Center to participate in an ecoEXPLORE BioBlitz.

Foundation

Hop, Slither, Slide!

May 1 – 2, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

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.

Station

Grasses of the Southern Appalachians

May 4 – 8, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Hop, Slither, Slide!

May 7 – 9, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Hop, Slither, Slide!

May 14 – 15, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

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.

Station

MAPS Bird Banding

Fri, May 15 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Station

Introduction to the Vascular Flora of the Blue Ridge

May 18 – 22, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Hop, Slither, Slide!

May 21 – 23, 2026

Highlands Nature Center

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.

Station

Identification and Conservation of Wetland Plants

May 25 – 29, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Station

Biology of Southern Appalachian Salamanders

May 25 – Jun 5, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

StationWorkshop

True Sedge Workshop: A Weeklong Dive into the Genus Carex

Jun 1 – 5, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

2 Credit Hours June 1–5, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Joey Shaw, UT-Chattanooga True sedges are famously challenging to identify.

Station

Botany Bootcamp

Mon, Jun 1 · 9 am – 4 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Millipede Night Crawl

Tue, Jun 2 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Creep into the nighttime world of one of the forest’s most fascinating decomposers! Join our Naturalists for a closer look at millipedes as we explore the forest floor and discover how these many-legged creatures play an important role in keeping our ecosystem healthy.

Station

Paper Botanicals – Fraser’s Magnolia

Thu, Jun 4 · 9 am – 3:30 pm

Highlands Biological Station

Paper Botanicals – Fraser’s Magnolia June 4, 2026, 9:00AM - 3:30PM Instructor: Cynthia Woodsong Celebrate the beauty of one of the Southern Appalachians’ most distinctive trees in this hands-on botanical art workshop focused on Fraser’s Magnolia (Magnolia fraseri).

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | June 5

Fri, Jun 5 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Station

Rock Outcrop and Cliff Ecology

Jun 8 – 12, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

2 Credit Hours June 8–12, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Laura Boggess, Mars Hill University & Mr. Gary Kauffman, USFS (Emeritus) Cliffs and rock outcrops are among the most striking and ecologically distinctive landscapes in the Southern Appalachians.

Foundation

Salamander Meander

Tue, Jun 9 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Microplastics in Big Brown Bats

Wed, Jun 10 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: Microplastics in Big Brown Bats📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological Station Kick off the Science on the Rocks series with Grant-in-Aid researcher Rachel Price for a relaxed conversation about microplastics in Big Brown Bats and the influence of urbanization.

FoundationLecture

Weird and Underappreciated Arthropods of North Carolina

Thu, Jun 11 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 1 Featured Speaker Dr.

Station

The Biology and Conservation of Birds

Jun 15 – 26, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

4 Credit Hours June 15–26, 2026 Instructors: Dr. Rob Bierregaard, Acadamy of Natural Sciences/Drexel University (Retired) This two-week intensive course offers a comprehensive introduction to avian biology, behavior, and conservation, grounded in both field experience and laboratory study.

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | June 15

Mon, Jun 15 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

StationWorkshop

Amphibian Diversity & Biogeography Workshop

Jun 15 – 16, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

Amphibian Diversity & Biogeography Workshop June 15–16, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Daily Instructor: Patrick Brannon The Southern Appalachian Mountains are home to one of the greatest concentrations of salamander diversity in the world.

Foundation

What Bat is That?

Tue, Jun 16 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Stretch your wings and tune into the sounds of the many special bats of the Highlands area! Join our Naturalists on a walk through the Botanical Garden to watch them in flight.

Station

The Nature of Drawing: A Naturalist’s Sketchbook

Wed, Jun 17 · 10 am – 4 pm

Highlands Biological Station

The Nature of Drawing: A Naturalist’s Sketchbook June 17, 2026 Instructor: Preston Montague Discover the art of observation and storytelling through the naturalist’s sketchbook in this creative, hands-on workshop led by artist, educator, and landscape architect Preston Montague.

StationGuided Walk

What’s Blooming in the Gardens Tour

Wed, Jun 17 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Take a midday stroll through the Highlands Botanical Gardens and discover what’s currently in bloom! Join the Highlands Biological Station horticultural staff for a guided garden tour highlighting seasonal flowers, native plants, and other botanical features throughout the Gardens.

FoundationLecture

Story: Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Conservation, and the Science Inside the Nest

Thu, Jun 18 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 2 Featured Speaker Lauren D. Pharr, Ph.D., Postgraduate Researcher, North Carolina State University Date: Thursday, June 18 Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE | No registration required Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#woodpeckers Sponsored by Jennie Stowers Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Station

Southern Appalachian Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies: Session 1

Jun 21 – Jul 2, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

4 Credit Hours June 21–July 2 Instructors: Session 1: Dr. John Morse, Clemson University & Dr. Alexander Orfinger, Dalton State College. Session 2: Dr. John Morse, Clemson University & Dr.

Foundation

Salamander Meander

Tue, Jun 23 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

StationGuided Walk

What’s Blooming in the Gardens Tour

Wed, Jun 24 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Take a midday stroll through the Highlands Botanical Gardens and discover what’s currently in bloom! Join the Highlands Biological Station horticultural staff for a guided garden tour highlighting seasonal flowers, native plants, and other botanical features throughout the Gardens.

Foundation

HBF 2026 Annual Member Meeting

Wed, Jun 24 · 3 pm – 4 pm

HBS North Campus

Highlands Biological Foundation Members Wednesday, June 24 | 3:00 PM John 'Sto' Stowers Teaching Pavilion 111 Lower Lake Rd HBF members are invited to attend the Annual Membership Meeting of the Highlands Biological Foundation on Wednesday, June 25th at 3:00 PM.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Batpack AT

Wed, Jun 24 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: Batpack AT📅 Wednesday, June 24, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological Station Join HBS Research Assistant Nicci Barrett for a relaxed conversation about bat research and fieldwork at Highlands Biological Station.

FoundationLecture

The Blue Wall: What we know–and don’t know–about southern Appalachia’s enigmatic weather-making landform

Thu, Jun 25 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 3 Featured Speaker Philip S.

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | June 26

Fri, Jun 26 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Owls: Masters of the Night

Tue, Jun 30 · 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

These mysterious birds of prey are seldom seen due to their elusive and nocturnal lifestyle. Meet some live owls and learn about their fascinating lives and unique adaptations. This program features Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists.

StationGuided Walk

Under the Canopy: A Guided Tree Walk with Dr. Paul Manos

Wed, Jul 1 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Wednesday, July 1, 202612:00 PMHighlands Botanical Gardens The tour will begin at the Highlands Nature Center. Look up, lean in, and discover the remarkable trees of the Highlands Botanical Garden! Join Dr.

Station

Science on the Rocks: What Trees Can Tell Us

Wed, Jul 1 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: What Trees Can Tell Us📅 Wednesday, July 1, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public What can trees tell us about the past?

Station

Biology of Southern Appalachian Mammals

Jul 6 – 17, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

4 Credit Hours July 6–17, 2026 Instructor: Dr. Catherine Haase, Associate Professor, Department of Biology; Principal Investigator, Center of Excellence for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University Explore the remarkable diversity of mammals that call the Southern Appalachian Mountains home.

Station

Southern Appalachian Mayflies, Stoneflies, and Caddisflies: Session 2

Jul 6 – 17, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

4 Credit Hours July 6-17, 2026 Instructors: Session 1: Dr. John Morse, Clemson University & Dr. Alexander Orfinger, Dalton State College. Session 2: Dr. John Morse, Clemson University & Dr.

Foundation

Salamander Meander

Tue, Jul 7 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Station

Insects & Insect Signs in the Gardens

Wed, Jul 8 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join us for a free gardens tour on Wednesday, July 8 at noon, meeting at the Highlands Nature Center. Dr.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Woodland Salamanders

Wed, Jul 8 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: Woodland Salamanders📅 Wednesday, July 8, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public Join Grant-in-Aid researchers David Adams and Evangeline Bradley for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation focused on woodland salamanders.

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | July 9

Thu, Jul 9 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

FoundationLecture

Southern Appalachian Freshwater Resilience and Recovery Post-Hurricane Helene

Thu, Jul 9 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 4 Featured Speaker Julie DeMeester, Ph.D., Director of Freshwater and Coastal Programs, The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Chapter Date: Thursday, July 9 Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE | No registration required Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#freshwater Sponsored by Martha & Michael Dupuis, Monte & Palmer Gaillard, and Melanie & Tom Mauldin Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Foundation

What Bat is That?

Tue, Jul 14 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Stretch your wings and tune into the sounds of the many special bats of the Highlands area! Join our Naturalists on a walk through the Botanical Garden to watch them in flight.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Bats, Geology, and Conservation

Wed, Jul 15 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: Bats, Geology, and Conservation📅 Wednesday, July 15, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public Join Grant-in-Aid researcher Cam McClellan for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation exploring the connections between bats, geology, and conservation in North Carolina.

FoundationLecture

The Venomous Snakes of Western North Carolina

Thu, Jul 16 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 5 Featured Speaker Carlton Burke, local naturalist and wildlife rehabilitator, Carolina Mountain Naturalists Date: Thursday, July 16 Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE | No registration required Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#snakes Sponsored by Gayle Watkins & Andy Chmar Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | July 17

Fri, Jul 17 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Station

Spiders of the Southern Appalachians

Jul 20 – 31, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Station

Conservation Biology in the Southern Appalachians

Jul 20 – 31, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Wild Encounters

Tue, Jul 21 · 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Meet and learn about some interesting resident wild creatures that live in the fields, forests, and other habitats here in western North Carolina. This program features Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists. This program features Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists.

StationGuided Walk

Tree Walk — A Guided Tour of the Gardens

Wed, Jul 22 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Join gardens assistant Aidan Holton for an hour among the trees of the Southern Appalachians — free, all welcome.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Glow Worms of the Highlands Plateau

Wed, Jul 22 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: Glow Worms of the Highlands Plateau📅 Wednesday, July 22, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public Join Highlands Biological Station for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation with Heather Pratt about the fascinating glow worms of the Highlands Plateau.

FoundationLecture

André Michaux in North America: Revealing the Botanical Treasures of the Carolinas

Thu, Jul 23 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 6 Featured Speaker Dana Beach, Founder and former Executive Director, SC Coastal Conservation League, Board Member, Butler Parklands Date: Thursday, July 23 Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE | No registration required Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#andre-michaux Sponsored by Ruthie & Berry Edwards Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Station

Botany Bootcamp

Mon, Jul 27 · 9 am – 4 pm

Highlands Biological Station

Botany Bootcamp July 27, 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.

Foundation

Summer Soirée at Flat Mountain Farm

Tue, Jul 28 · 6 pm – 8 pm

Flat Mountain Farm

Join the Highlands Biological Foundation for our most anticipated night of the year — the Summer Soirée at Flat Mountain Farm — our largest annual fundraiser in support of biological research and education in the southern Appalachians.

Foundation

Salamander Meander

Tue, Jul 28 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Venture out after dark in search of one of the Plateau’s most elusive amphibians! Join our Naturalists as we explore cool, damp habitats and uncover the quiet lives of salamanders and the important role they play in our forest ecosystem.

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | July 29

Wed, Jul 29 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

StationGuided Walk

Iridescence in the Gardens: A Guided Walk

Wed, Jul 29 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Look closely, and the garden glows. Join us for a guided walk with Gardens Assistant Ripley Brenner exploring the surprising world of iridescence in the plant kingdom — the shimmer, sheen, and structural color that turn ordinary petals and leaves into something luminous.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Conservation Research on Kral’s Water Plantain

Wed, Jul 29 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: Conservation Research on Kral’s Water Plantain📅 Wednesday, July 29, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public Join Grant-in-Aid researcher Jake Thompson for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation about Kral’s water plantain (Sagittaria secundifolia), a threatened aquatic plant with an important conservation story.

FoundationLecture

Connecting Appalachia: Wildlife Connectivity, Corridors, and Road Crossings

Thu, Jul 30 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Zahner Conservation Lecture 7 Featured Speaker Liz Hillard, PhD, Senior Wildlife Biologist-Appalachian Region for Wildlands Network Date: Thursday, July 30 Time: 6pm – 7pm Cost: FREE | No registration required Learn more: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/#connecting-appalachia Sponsored by Lori & Ed Heys Organized by Highlands Biological Foundation

Station

Macrofungi of the Blue Ridge

Aug 3 – 14, 2026

Highlands Biological Station

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.

Foundation

Millipede Night Crawl

Tue, Aug 4 · 8 pm – 9 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Creep into the nighttime world of one of the forest’s most fascinating decomposers! Join our Naturalists for a closer look at millipedes as we explore the forest floor and discover how these many-legged creatures play an important role in keeping our ecosystem healthy.

Station

Mindfulness in the Gardens

Wed, Aug 5 · 1 pm – 2 pm

Highlands Nature Center

Slow down. Look closer. Breathe.

Station

Science on the Rocks: The Hidden Chemical World of Salamanders

Wed, Aug 5 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

Science on the Rocks: The Hidden Chemical World of Salamanders📅 Wednesday, August 5, 2026 | 4:00 PM📍 Weyman, Highlands Biological StationFree and open to the public Join Grant-in-Aid researcher Paul Nicolosi for an informal Science on the Rocks conversation about the hidden chemical world of salamanders.

Station

MAPS Bird Banding at HBS | August 6

Thu, Aug 6 · 5 am – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

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.

FoundationLecture

Plastic Pollution on the Plateau: An Overview of Microplastics Research in the Southern Appalachians

Thu, Aug 6 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Highlands Nature Center

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

Station

The Flower Hunter’s Trail

Wed, Aug 12 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station

The Seminoles called him Puc Puggy — the Flower Hunter. He earned it. In the spring of 1775, William Bartram rode into the Cherokee mountains of western North Carolina and stayed barely two months. He never stopped writing.

Station

Science on the Rocks: Darwin, Wallace, and the Making of The Descent of Man

Wed, Aug 12 · 4 pm – 5 pm

Weyman Building

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.

Station

What’s Blooming: Bog & Pollinator Gardens

Wed, Aug 19 · 12 pm – 1 pm

Highlands Biological Station Amphitheater

What's Blooming: Bog & Pollinator Gardens A guided gardens tour with Dr.

Foundation

Intro to Backyard Birding

Fri, Sep 18 · 9 am – 10 am

HBS North Campus

Do you have an interest in birding but aren't sure how to get started with this popular pastime? This program is for anyone who wants to learn the basics of birding and discover how easy it can be to get started.

StationGuided Walk

Hemlocks & Other Old Growth Trees: Educational Walk

Sat, Sep 19 · 10 am – 1 pm

HBS North Campus

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.

FoundationGuided Walk

Hawk Hike with Maddie

Wed, Sep 23 · 9 am – 12 pm

Whiteside Mountain Trail

Join Maddie on an interpretive hike up Whiteside Mountain in search of our resident Peregrine Falcons! While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, there is always a chance we may encounter a variety of migrating birds and other resident animals commonly seen in the Highlands area.

Foundation

Morning Meditation & Mindfulness

Fri, Sep 25 · 9 am – 10 am

HBS North Campus

Join us for a calm and grounding morning to start your day off right. During this hour-long program, we will take a few quiet moments to breathe deeply, gently stretch our bodies, and explore ways we can practice mindfulness during this season of change.

Foundation

Surprising Skulls

Sat, Sep 26 · 10 am – 12 pm

HBS North Campus

Ever stumbled across a skull while out on a stroll and wondered what it can tell you? Join Alex for a brief introduction to the fascinating world of bone science! Bring your questions and any skulls you’d like to have identified.

Foundation

Spooky Species BioBlitz

Fri, Oct 2 · 10 am – 12 pm

HBS North Campus

Join us in search for curious, creepy, and weird species on the Highlands Plateau! Kids can join a spooky scavenger hunt, while teens and adults contribute observations to iNaturalist and local community science.

Foundation

Highlands on the Half-Shell

Sun, Oct 4 · 4 pm – 7 pm

Valentine Meadow at Highlands Biological Station

Join us Sunday, October 4 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM for an outdoor Cajun-inspired celebration in the heart of Highlands.

StationFestival

NCNPS 75th Anniversary Celebration

Thu, Oct 8 · 3 pm – 6 pm

HBS North Campus

Foundation

Crafting Wild Creatures

Fri, Oct 9 · 11 am – 1 pm

Cook Pavilion

Do you have a favorite animal that lives here on the Highlands Plateau? Stop by the Cook Pavilion and join us for some craft time. We will have materials and inspiration to share!

Foundation

Amazing Moths

Sat, Oct 10 · 10 am – 12 pm

Cook Pavilion

Are you tired of chasing butterflies? Luckily, moths will come to you! Stop by the Cook Pavilion to learn about what makes moths amazing and how you can attract them to your own backyard!

Foundation

Science & S’mores: What Do Insects Have to Do With Climate?

Wed, Oct 14 · 6 pm – 7 pm

Cook Pavilion

Introducing Science & S’mores, a new HBF discussion series that brings people together around the fire to explore interesting scientific topics, research, and discoveries.

Foundation

Leaves of Change

Fri, Oct 16 · 9 am – 10 am

HBS North Campus

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Join us on the Kelsey Trail for a naturalist walk to learn more about the phenetics fall and nature’s seasonal processes.

Foundation

Leaves of Change

Fri, Oct 23 · 9 am – 10 am

HBS North Campus

Have you ever wondered why leaves change color in the fall? Join us on the Kelsey Trail for a naturalist walk to learn more about the phenetics fall and nature’s seasonal processes.

Foundation

Pressing Matters

Sat, Oct 24 · 10 am – 12 pm

Cook Pavilion

Curious about herbariums or preserving flowers from your garden? Join us for an introduction to pressing and preparing plants for collections and art. Plant presses provided; bring flowers and shears if you have them!

Foundation

Creepy Critter Crawl

Fri, Oct 30 · 9 am – 10 am

HBS North Campus

Join us for a weird walk through the botanical gardens to learn about the obscure, creepy, crawly, and strange creatures that can be found on the Highlands Plateau.