Facilities & Resources

Everything your class needs to move seamlessly between fieldwork, lab work, and reflection — all on a single campus.

Housing

On-site cabins and dorm-style accommodations sleep both students and faculty. All units include kitchen facilities, Wi-Fi, and common gathering areas — keeping your group focused and fully immersed for the duration of the visit.

Teaching & Laboratory Spaces

Fully equipped teaching labs, lecture spaces, and specimen prep areas with microscopes, dissection tools, and field course essentials. Outdoor classroom areas allow a seamless transition between fieldwork and group discussion.

E. E. Reinke Library & Collections

An extensive collection of books, journals, and field guides focused on Appalachian ecology and natural history. Classes may also request access to HBS's preserved biological collections for instructional use.

World-Class Field Sites

HBS sits at the center of some of the most ecologically significant protected land in eastern North America — all within a short drive.

National Forest

Nantahala & Pisgah National Forests

Extraordinary plant and animal diversity ideal for studying Appalachian ecology, forest dynamics, and aquatic systems.

State Park

Gorges State Park

Steep gorges, rare plant communities, and spectacular waterfalls — a dramatic setting for geology, hydrology, and biodiversity coursework.

National Park

Great Smoky Mountains

One of the most biodiverse areas in North America. Ideal for studying species richness, elevation gradients, and long-term ecological research.