Tuesdays, June 2nd – August 4th
Join the Highlands Nature Center on Tuesday nights between June 2 and August 4 to explore the wonders of the Botanical Garden after-hours. Join Naturalists to search for slimy salamanders, use bat detectors to listen out for bats, and even meet a few birds of prey!
Please note that these programs are weather-dependent.
FREE | All ages welcome | Registration is required
To register, please see the registration link(s) below each program. Registration for each program will open 2 weeks prior to the program’s start date.
Registration
Nature Center Nights registration will take place through UltraCamp this summer. Programs are free, but advance registration is required and opens two weeks before each event date.
How to set up an UltraCamp account:
To help make registration quick and seamless, we encourage families to create their UltraCamp account in advance and add all household members before registration opens.
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STEP 1
Create Your Account
STEP 2
View the “My Account” Page
STEP 3
Add Account Members
Add parents/legal guardians as the primary and secondary account members, then add each child to the account.
*NOTE: You do not need to fill out pick-up authorizations or alternate contacts if you are only registering for Nature Center Nights. Those sections are specifically for summer camps. During Nature Center Nights, children must be accompanied by an adult.
How to register in UltraCamp:
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After you have created your account:
STEP 1
Click “Reservations”
STEP 2
Click “Explore Sessions” to view upcoming programs
Note: Registration for Nature Center Nights programs open 2 weeks prior to the event.
PLEASE NOTE: These free events have limited space, and we often have long waitlists. If you’re no longer able to attend, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer your spot to someone else. Guests who repeatedly miss events without notice may have limited access to future Nature Center Nights this season. Thank you for helping us make these programs available to as many people as possible.
Please email marissa@highlandsbiological.org with any changes.
2026 Programs
Salamander Meander
*HBF Members Only*
Dates: Tuesday, May 26
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
Kick off Highlands Nature Center’s summer season! 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.
Millipede Night Crawl
Dates: Tuesday, June 2
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Salamander Meander
Dates: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
What Bat is That?
Dates: Tuesday, June 16
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Salamander Meander
Dates: Tuesday, June 23
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Owls: Masters of the Night
Dates: Tuesday, June 30
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Salamnder Meander
Dates: Tuesday, July 7
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
What Bat is That?
Dates: Tuesday, July 14
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Wild Encounters
Dates: Tuesday, July 21
Time: 6:30 – 7:30 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Salamander Meander
Dates: Tuesday, July 28
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Millipede Night Crawl
Dates: Tuesday, August 4
Time: 8:00 – 9:00 PM
Ages: All ages welcome
Cost: FREE
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.
Funded by
Highlands Biological Foundation
These programs are FREE and made possible by the Highlands Biological Foundation.
