Dr. Lauren Pharr
A great way to spend a summer evening in Highlands is by settling in for an engaging talk at the Highlands Nature Center. That’s exactly what you’ll find at the Highlands Biological Foundation’s Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, returning this summer for another memorable season.
These free, public lectures take place at the Highlands Nature Center every Thursday at 6:00 P.M. from June 11 through August 6, with the exception of July 2. This long-standing tradition dates back to the 1930s and continues today in honor of Dr. Robert Zahner and his wife Glenda, whose contributions to conservation on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau have had a lasting impact.
This year’s lineup is full of fascinating topics and speakers who really know how to bring their work to life. You can learn about some of North Carolina’s strangest and most overlooked insects and other tiny creatures with Dr. Matt Bertone, or hear the incredible comeback story of the red-cockaded woodpecker from Dr. Lauren Pharr. Dr. Philip Prince, who many of you may remember from last year’s popular talk on Hurricane Helene as a geological event, returns to explore the Blue Ridge Escarpment and the role it plays in shaping our landscape and weather, while Dr. Julie DeMeester will share how our mountain streams are recovering and adapting after the storm.
Jason Love
Other talks will cover everything from identifying venomous snakes and understanding why they matter, to the story of early botanical exploration in the Carolinas, to how wildlife moves across our region through connected habitats. We’ll wrap up the series with a look at microplastics research happening right here on the Plateau.
If you have never been to one of these lectures, it’s a great way to spend an evening. Come to one or come to all of them – you’ll always leave having learned something new.
And there is plenty more happening at the Nature Center beyond Thursday nights. We offer daily programs like animal encounters, storytime, and garden tours that are perfect for kids and adults alike. On Tuesday evenings, our Nature Center Nights programs give you a chance to experience the Plateau after dark with programs like Salamander Meanders, Owls: Masters of the Night, and What Bat is That?, plus more throughout the summer.
One quick reminder as you plan your visits, the Highlands Nature Center will be closing starting August 16 for a series of important renovations, with plans to reopen in the new year. We hope you will come out and enjoy the space as much as you can this summer before the work begins.
You can find the full lecture schedule and more information at highlandsbiological.org/nature-center.
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