Highlands Biological Station
Guided Campus & Gardens Tours
Discover the rich biodiversity, native plants, and hidden gems of the Highlands Botanical Gardens through guided tours led by our passionate educators, Horticultural Specialist and naturalists. Browse upcoming tours below. New tours are added regularly, so check back often!
History of the Gardens Tour
Date: May 28, 2025
Dr. Jim Costa, Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station and Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: June 3, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
HBS Bog Garden Tour
Date: June 4, 2025
Guide: Dr. Paul Manos, Duke University
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Bugs & Blooms Garden Tour
Date: June 11, 2025
Guide:Dr. Jim Costa, Executive Director of the Highlands Biological Station and Professor of Biology at Western Carolina University
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: June 12, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Tree Diversity at HBS Garden Tour
Date: June 18, 2025
Guide: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: June 23, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Garden Tour
Date: June 25, 2025
Guide: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Garden Tour
Date: July 2, 2025
Guide: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: July 3, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: July 14, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Native Plant Conference Tour
Date: July 16, 2025
Guides: Dr. Paul Manos, Duke University and Tara Henderson, HBS Horticultural Specialist
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: July 23, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Garden Tour
Date: July 23, 2025
Guides: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Garden Tour
Date: July 30, 2025
Guides: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: August 4, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Garden Tour
Date: August 6, 2025
Guides: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Garden Tour
Date: August 13, 2025
Guides: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Garden Tour
Date: August 20, 2025
Guides: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Garden Tour
Date: August 27, 2025
Guides: TBD
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
Past Tours
Spring Ephemeral Garden Tour
Date: May 7, 2025
Guide: Tara Henderson, HBS Horticultural Specialist
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
What's Blooming in the Gardens
Date: May 14, 2025
Guide: Dr. Paul Manos, Duke University
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon
MAPS Bird Banding
Date: May 20, 2025
Meeting Place: Cook Pavilion, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: 5:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Garden Tour
Date: May 21, 2025
Guide:Tara Henderson, HBS Horticultural Specialist
Meeting Place: Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Road, Highlands, NC 28741
Time: Noon