A talk titled “The Southern Blue Ridge at this Moment in History” will discuss growth in the mountains and its impact on farm and forestland at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 7, at the Highlands Biological Station.

The talk is part of the Highlands Biological Foundation “Think About Thursdays” summer event series.

The speaker, Paul Carlson, executive director of the Little Tennessee Land Trust, will talk about the collapse of steep-slope land values, the legacy of substandard road systems and what it means for the future of mountain development, and how these issues tie together with biodiversity and future conservation planning for Western North Carolina.

The Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust is co-sponsoring the event, and Executive Director Dr. Gary Wein, will give an introduction.

828.526.2221 or visit www.wcu.edu/hbs.