Carlton Burke of Carolina Mountain Naturalists holds a barred owl during Owls: Masters of the Night.
Photo by Marissa Nieddu
Summer at the Highlands Nature Center is a time of discovery, connection, and a little bit of magic.
Our Nature Center Nights, held every Tuesday evening from late May through early August, invite the community to experience the Plateau in a whole new way.
These guided programs offer a rare glimpse into the lives of the region’s nocturnal creatures. Join our Naturalists for a Salamander Meander or Millipede Night Crawl and explore the forest after dark in search of some of our most fascinating and often overlooked residents. On select evenings, you can “stretch your wings” during What Bat is That?, where participants use bat detectors and keen observation to watch these nighttime fliers in action.
Seal salamander found on a Salamander Meander,
Photo by Maddie Wikstrom
A few special programs round out the series. Owls: Masters of the Night, presented by Carlton Burke, introduces guests to the remarkable adaptations of these silent hunters and even features live owls up close. Later in the season, Wild Encounters offers the chance to meet some of our region’s resident animals and learn how they thrive in the diverse habitats of Western North Carolina. The series begins May 26 with a members-only Salamander Meander and continues weekly through August 4.
During the day, the Nature Center is just as lively. Our Daily Programs provide engaging, hands-on opportunities for visitors of all ages to connect with the natural world.
Snake feedings Fridays at the Nature Center,
Photo by Maddie Wikstrom
Mondays and Fridays feature Animal Encounters, where guests can meet one of our resident animals, from snakes to turtles, and even witness a live snake feeding on Fridays.
Wednesdays offer guided Garden Tours of the Highlands Biological Station, while Thursdays focus on discovery through our EcoExplorer Club, tied to statewide citizen science initiatives.
Families will especially enjoy Ms. KK’s Sunshine Story Time on select Tuesdays throughout the summer, as well as our Saturday craft activities, which bring creativity and nature together inside the Nature Center. Whether you are stopping in for a single program or building your week around them, there is always something new to learn. Be sure to stay tuned for more details about this year’s Zahner Conservation Lecture Series lineup, another highlight of the summer season.
Garden tours Wednesdays,
Photo by Marissa Nieddu
As we look ahead, we also want to share that the Highlands Nature Center will close beginning August 16 through the end of the year for important window and structural renovations. These updates will help preserve and enhance the space for years to come, and we look forward to welcoming you back to an improved facility. More details will be shared in the coming months.
Until then, we invite you to make the most of summer with us, day and night, at the Highlands Nature Center. Learn more at highlandsbiological.org/nature-center/.
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