Nurturing nature: Behind the scenes at Highlands Biological Station
A multi-campus center of Western Carolina University, the Highlands Biological Stations aims to foster research, education and conservation efforts on ‘The Plateau’ and greater Western North Carolina. File photo
Located atop “The Plateau” on the outskirts of downtown Highlands, the Highlands Biological Station is a world-renowned facility for academics, locals and visitors alike.
“Trying to reconnect people [to nature] — that’s kind of what this place is about,” said Jason Love, associate director of the HBS. “And then, to teach people about the threats some of these organisms face.”
Chartered in 1927 “by local citizens who were interested in creating a natural history museum to celebrate the biodiversity of the Highlands Plateau,” the HBS is a multifaceted institution — part museum, part hands-on outdoor space, part research laboratory.
Aside from the facility and museum, the 22-acre property also offers a slew of outdoor trails. Within the outdoor realm, there’s trees over 400 years old and a lake in the center of campus for any and all to simply wander, immerse and enjoy.
“We have workshops for adults and for kids, a lecture series, summer camps,” Love said. “And we cover anything from salamanders of the Southern Appalachians to forest ecology and geology to learning about birds, flowers and diverse habitats here.”
Since 1976, the HBS has been a storied nonprofit, one which, in 2018, officially became part of Western Carolina University just down the mountain in nearby Cullowhee.
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“We host researchers from around the world, who come here and use this place as a base station,” Love said.
And when it comes to “The Plateau” and the mountains and valleys of greater Western North Carolina, Love noted that we’re standing in one of the most diverse ecosystems on the entire planet. Waterfalls and watersheds. Intricate plant and animal species.
“We receive a lot of rain, so that kind of puts us in the temperate rainforest category,” Love said. “So, because of that, salamanders are super abundant here. We have a lot of plant life. And that’s one of the reasons ‘The Plateau’ is so special — all of these different habitats.”
And within that research side of things, Love and his colleagues view that component and the work cultivated as vital to the future of our world and its inhabitants.
“It’s just becoming ecological accountants,” Love said. “Looking at the impacts that humans have and trying to inform the public and policy makers about those impacts [on nature].”
And with almost 100 years of data collected by the HBS on “The Plateau,” the researchers are able to compare and contrast the past, present, and possible future for the ecosystems in our backyard.
“In a sense, this is a stationary place that records life over time and how things change,” Love said.
For Love, one of the biggest takeaways and joys of his job is to educate others about the natural beauty surrounding each of us every single day, whether you’re a kid or kid at heart.
“Sometimes we see that little spark — in students and even in adults,” Love said of the HBS workshops. “Everyone’s kind of stuck on their phones or stuck in traffic, other stresses and other things to think about, and by coming here, they can unwind a little bit and maybe reconnect with that sense of place — finding wonder in a mushroom or a salamander they find under a rock.”
Want to go?
Filled with a variety of indoor/outdoor exhibits, programs, workshops, summer camps, gardens and trails, the Highlands Biological Station is located at 265 North 6th St. in Highlands.
The HBS is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, click on highlandsbiological.org or call 828.526.2623.
Upcoming HBS workshops
• “The Lost Shortia: HBS Oconee Bells” (March 16): A day of exploration to learn about the ecology and curious history of the “lost and found” Oconee Bells (Shortia galacifolia) and see some of the largest remaining populations of this rarity at peak bloom in its native habitat
• “Pressed & Preserved: A Botanical Workshop” (May 14): In this workshop, you will explore pressed plant specimens in the HBS herbarium and learn about the importance of preserving plants. Participants will collect and press plants, either from the field or their own garden, with a hands-on lesson in using herbarium presses.
• “Paper Botanicals: Spring Flora” (May 22, 24): Celebrate spring with paper Trillium workshops. Participants will use crepe paper to make life-size and realistic replicas of these Trillium species, while learning about the botanical characteristics of this genus.
• “The Nature of Drawing: Naturalist’s Sketchbook” (June 6): Explore the art of observation and storytelling by creating sketches that bring moments in nature to life. Participants will learn basic drawing techniques with pen, pencil, and colored pencils, making this workshop ideal for beginners and welcoming to those with intermediate skills.
• “Mindful Birding” (June 10): Mindful birding is a practice of slowing down and deepening our awareness of nature by appreciating each bird we encounter with curiosity and presence. Unlike traditional bird walks focused on identification, this workshop emphasizes mindfulness, using birds as guides to connect with the landscape and our own sense of wonder.
• “Learning Birdsongs” (June 10): Designed to help participants identify local birds by their songs and calls using a simple, systematic approach. After a short presentation covering key sound qualities like pitch, rhythm and repetition, participants will head outdoors to practice listening, describing and memorizing birdsongs using mnemonic devices and vocal imitation.
• “Intro to Nature Photography” (June 19): Hosted by professional photographer Mark Krancer, this hands-on course is designed for beginners looking to develop their skills in capturing the beauty of the natural world.
To register, click on highlandsbiological.org.
