Highlands Nature Center

🎟 Tickets are now on sale for the Highlands Biological Foundation’s biggest fundraiser of the year!

Join us for the Summer Soirée at Flat Mountain Farm on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 from 6:00 PM until dark in Highlands, NC.

This is our most anticipated night of the year and our largest annual fundraiser in support of biological research and education in the southern Appalachians. Guests will enjoy an unforgettable evening surrounded by mountain views, warm hospitality, and the natural beauty of one of Highlands’ most distinctive properties.

This year’s Soirée will be held at Flat Mountain Farm, a beautifully designed Highlands gathering place founded and thoughtfully run by Koble Delmer and Caleb Irby. Their shared passion for hospitality, shaped by global experiences, Southern roots, and a love for bringing people together, sets the stage for a truly special evening.

🎟 Tickets are available now
📍 Flat Mountain Farm | Highlands, NC
🗓 Tuesday, July 28, 2026
🕕 6:00 PM until dark

Purchase tickets here: https://highlandsbiological.org/soiree2026/

We hope you will join us for this meaningful celebration in support of science and education in the mountains we love.

🦉 Registration is now open for our next Nature Center Night: Owls: Masters of the Night!

These mysterious birds of prey are rarely seen due to their elusive, nocturnal lifestyle, but now you have the chance to get up close and learn more about them. Join us on Tuesday, June 30 from 6:30–7:30 PM for an evening exploring the fascinating lives and unique adaptations of owls.

This special program features Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists, along with live owls for participants to meet and observe.

🗓 Tuesday, June 30
⏰ 6:30–7:30 PM
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages welcome
💲 FREE | Registration required

Register today: https://highlandsbiological.org/naturecenternights/ -30

This free program is provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

📚 Tuesdays are for Storytime at the Highlands Nature Center!

Join us every Tuesday at 10:30am for a fun and engaging Storytime featuring books and songs all about the great outdoors. Children and families are invited to settle in for nature-inspired stories that spark curiosity and imagination.

✨ Special Guest NatureTime StoryTime with Ms. KK takes place on select Tuesdays: June 16, June 23, June 30, July 7, July 21, July 28, and August 4.

Local storyteller Ms. KK brings stories to life with fun books, silly songs, and an interactive adventure walk following Storytime. This program is geared toward elementary-aged children, but all nature explorers are welcome!

This free program is provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

Learn more about the Nature Center's summer programs: https://highlandsbiological.org/nature-center/summer-programs/

🪶 The Zahner Conservation Lecture Series continues on Thursday, June 18 with a powerful look at one of North Carolina’s most iconic conservation success stories.

Join Dr. Lauren D. Pharr, Postgraduate Researcher at North Carolina State University, for “Red-cockaded Woodpeckers, Conservation, and the Science Inside the Nest” from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd.

Once in severe decline due to the loss of longleaf pine forests, the red-cockaded woodpecker is now a celebrated example of successful species recovery. In this talk, Dr. Pharr explores the “w(hole) story” of this remarkable bird, from its conservation history to the science happening inside its nest cavities. Drawing on her research, she also shares insights into how family group dynamics and environmental conditions influence chick survival.

🗓 Thursday, June 18
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd
💲 FREE

Sponsored by Highlands Biological Foundation member Jennie Stowers.

Learn more about the full Zahner Lecture lineup:https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/

🎨 Saturdays are for Craft in Nature at the Highlands Nature Center!

Join us each Saturday for a hands-on creative program that connects art with the natural world. Most weeks, the craft will rotate, offering something new each time you visit.

Today we’ll be making Pine Cone Birds 🐦, a fun nature-inspired craft using simple materials.

To help reduce waste and ensure supplies are used thoughtfully, participants will need to request a material kit from a staff member before starting the craft.

Craft in Nature is a great way for families to slow down, get creative, and explore nature through art.

This free program is provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

View all summer programming: https://highlandsbiological.org/nature-center/summer-programs/

🌿 Help us welcome Jonah to the Highlands Nature Center this summer!

Jonah joins us as one of our Summer Naturalists and will be supporting summer camps, Nature Center Nights, and other seasonal programming throughout the summer.

Originally from Eastern Tennessee and Western North Carolina, Jonah recently graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with degrees in Geography and Information Science. They first came to the Highlands Biological Station as a student in the Highlands Institute for the Environment Program, where they contributed to research on bacterial pollution in the Tuckasegee River and microplastics in Southern Appalachian waterways.

This summer, Jonah is excited to return to this special place, continue learning about the region, and share that knowledge with the next generation of explorers.

We’re glad to have Jonah back at the Nature Center this season. Be sure to say hello when you see them around! 👋

🦎 Registration is now open for our next Nature Center Night: Salamander Meander!

Venture out after dark on Tuesday, June 23 from 8:00–9:00 PM 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 ecosystems.

This guided evening program is designed for all ages and offers a unique opportunity to experience the hidden life of the forest at night.

🗓 Tuesday, June 23
⏰ 8:00–9:00 PM
👨‍👩‍👧 All ages welcome
💲 FREE | Registration required

Register today: https://highlandsbiological.org/naturecenternights/ -23

This free program is provided by Highlands Biological Foundation.

🌿 Help us welcome Zoe to the Highlands Nature Center this summer!

Zoe joins us as one of our Summer Naturalists and will be supporting summer camps, Nature Center Nights, and a variety of other programs throughout the season.

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Zoe is a student at Western Carolina University pursuing a double major in Parks and Recreation Management and Psychology. She brings several summers of experience working at overnight camps and is excited for a new location and pace here in Highlands.

This summer, Zoe is especially looking forward to learning more about Appalachian native plants and animals while engaging with youth participants. She also has a strong passion for arts and crafts and is excited to lead creative activities for campers throughout the season.

Be sure to stop by and say hello to Zoe when you see her at the Nature Center! 👋

🕷️ The Zahner Conservation Lecture Series returns on Thursday, June 11 with a fascinating look at some of North Carolina’s strangest and most overlooked arthropods!

Join Dr. Matt Bertone, Entomologist and Director of the NC State Plant Disease and Insect Clinic, for “Weird and Underappreciated Arthropods of North Carolina” from 6:00–7:00 PM at the Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd.

While many people are familiar with butterflies, dragonflies, and praying mantises, this talk will dive into the world of lesser-known creatures like thrips, bark lice, and eriophyid mites. Through photos and stories, Dr. Bertone will introduce attendees to some of the weirdest and least talked about arthropods found across North Carolina.

🗓 Thursday, June 11
⏰ 6:00–7:00 PM
📍 Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd
💲 FREE

Sponsored by Highlands Biological Foundation members Vicki and Donny Ferguson.

We hope to see you there!

View the entire Zahner Series lineup: https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/events/zahnerlectures/

☀️ Help us welcome Eliza to the Highlands Nature Center this summer!

Eliza joins us as one of our Summer Naturalists and will be helping with summer camps, Nature Center Nights, and other summer programming throughout the season.

Originally from Valdosta, Georgia, Eliza graduated from the University of North Georgia in Winter 2024 with a B.S. in Biology. After spending the past year working as an Environmental Educator at various 4-H centers, she is excited to return to North Carolina to explore local trails and discover new wildlife across the Highlands Plateau.

In her free time, you’ll most likely find Eliza wading through a creek or soaking up the sunshine outdoors. Be sure to stop by the Nature Center and say hello this summer! 🌿