The Highlands Biological Foundation is announcing the return of its annual Zahner Conservation Lecture Series. Each lecture is designed to inspire curiosity, foster stewardship, and deepen our collective connection to the natural world. These programs are made possible through the generous support of individuals and local organizations.
Dr. Kelly Oten
Photo by Dr. Kelly Oten
Zahner Lecture Series will offer “Co-habitate; Living with Nature” at Highlands Nature Center 6:00 P.M. July 10. The Highlands Plateau is rich in biological diversity and appreciated for its natural beauty. Development pressure is increasing in Highlands, and threatens to have a negative impact on our natural resources. Therefore, neighbors must work together to ensure the natural resources we all appreciate such as clean air and water are protected. This is the vision for the new community-based organization, Co-habitate, which is dedicated to engaging and educating our neighbors on the intrinsic value of our ecosystem and seeking solutions to environmental degradation due to the pressures of development. Co-habitate co-founders Sonya Carpenter and Canty Worley have a vision for this work.
“Lesser Known Medicinal Mushrooms of the Southern Appalachians” will be offered by Christopher Parker, Mycologist and Co-Owner The Forest Farmacy at 6:00 P.M. July 17 at Highlands Nature Center. Discover the medicinal properties of six lesser known mushrooms native to our eastern woodlands. Participants will learn what species have antibiotic, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties from an experienced mycologist.
Christopher Parker
Zahner Lecture Series offers “Understanding Helene as a Geologic Event in Southern Appalachia…and What is a ‘Geologic Event” Anyway?’” with Philip S. Prince, Ph.D., Project Geologist, Appalachian Landslide Consultants at Highlands Nature Center, July 24 at 6:00 P.M. Hurricane Helene’s impacts on rivers and slopes in the southern Appalachians exceeded all recorded storms, establishing a new benchmark for flooding and landsliding from Haywood County to southwest Virginia.
Philip S. Prince
And closing out July is “The Good, the Bad & the BUGly” on July 31 at 6:00 P.M at Highlands Nature Center. Dr. Kelly Oten, Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist at NC State University, explains that insects are all around us and play very important roles in our forest ecosystems. Find out when to worry about a tree pest and what to do when things get a little bit bugly.
All of these lectures are free and everyone is welcome. For information, call (828) 526-2221.
Pictured | Sonya Carpenter
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