Fun Fundraiser

Written By: Deena Bouknight | Issue: September - 2022

Highlands knows how to have fun, while at the sametime raise money for worthwhile causes.And Highlands on the Half-Shell 2022, set for 4:00P.M. until dark, Sunday, October 2, is a festive event to benefitthe Highlands Biological Foundation. Over a Cajun-themedgathering in the Valentine Meadow (888 Horse Cove Rd) at theHighlands Biological Station, attendees will have an opportu-nity to sample gumbo, jambalaya, steamed oysters, and more.“Highlands on the Half-Shell is one of the Highlands BiologicalFoundation’sbigannual fundraisers,” explained Winter Gary,the Foundation’s marketing manager. Attendees “enjoy a feastof Louisiana delicacies, mingle with our other wonderfulcommunity members, and show support for the Foundation’smission of stimulating, promoting, and funding biologicalresearch and education in the southern Appalachians.”Winter pointed out that the event is very much “communitydriven,” with many people volunteering time – includingFoundation members and board members – to handle logisticsregarding obtaining and preparing the food, setting and clean-ing up, and much more.The Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) and works to inspirepresent and future generations to preserve and protect theunique environment of the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau byraising awareness through experiential learning and free, publicprograms. The Foundation supports the three key facets ofthe Highlands Biological Station, which are represented in itslogo. There is the Nature Center, the Botanical Garden, andthe research and educational dimensions of the Station andFoundation. In the mid-1970s, the Station was acquired by theUniversity of North Carolina and is now administered on behalfof the university system by Western Carolina University.One of the core missions of the Foundation is to promotescientific research, and there is a long history of Foundation-supported research at the station.Plus, ongoing for the public – children and adults – are courses,workshops, lectures, tours, etc. Specifically for children areopportunities such as Kids Camp and Nature Center Nights.“The Foundation is dedicated to educating our community onwhat makes the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau so special, andfundraisers such as Highlands on the Half-Shell ensures thatprograms offered at the Nature Center can continue,” said Winter.Tickets to the fall Highlands on the Half-Shell fundraiser are $125per person. Tickets are limited to 150 people. For more informationand to purchase your tickets, visithighlandsbiological.org

by Deena Bouknight