Laurel Magazine

Tree Texture Investigation at Highlands Nature Center
2026-03-27 10:00 - 15:30, 2026-03-28 10:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Join us at the Nature Center to make your very own Bark Book!
Enjoy a stroll through the forest to create unique texture impressions of different tree bark patterns, and learn some tips and tricks to help you identify your findings. Making your own Bark Book is a great way to explore nature, learn about trees, and create art!
March 13-14 & 27-28
FREE | Drop-in from 10 am – 3:30 pm

EcoExplore Plant Scavenger Hunt at Highlands Nature Center
2026-03-28 10:00 - 15:30 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Spring is right around the corner, and we’re already seeing some fresh pops of green! We will kick off the ecoEXPLORE Botany Field Season with a plant scavenger hunt along the Botanical Garden trails and the Boardwalk. Participants will work to complete a plant identification challenge while gaining a deeper understanding of the natural world around them.

ecoEXPLORE is a community science program created by the North Carolina Arboretum, where children of all ages can learn to identify wildlife around them, help scientists track wildlife activity, and earn fun badges and prizes all at once! To learn more, please visit .
March 13-14 & 27-28
FREE | Drop-in from 10 am – 3:30 pm

Free ESL Classes at The Literacy and Learning Center
2026-03-31 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-07 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-14 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-21 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-04-28 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-05 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-12 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-05-19 18:00 - 19:00 and 1 more date | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Join us for free ESL classes at The Literacy & Learning Center!
Tuesdays
6 – 7 pm
At The Literacy & Learning Center

Citizenship Class with Faviola Olvera at The Literacy & Learning Center
2026-04-01 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-04-08 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-04-15 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-04-22 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-04-29 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-06 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-13 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-05-20 17:30 - 19:00 | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Ready to take the next step toward U.S. citizenship? 🇺🇸 The Literacy & Learning Center is here to support your journey with our FREE weekly Citizenship Class!

Led by Faviola Olvera, this program is designed to help you navigate the naturalization exam with total confidence.
What We Cover:

English Test Prep: Practice the speaking, reading, and writing skills needed for the exam.
Reading & Writing Proficiency: Get structured practice for the specific sentences you’ll need to read and write during the official test.
Civics Test: We cover all 100 possible questions on U.S. history and government, including the principles of democracy and the system of government.
Wednesdays 5:30-7 PM

Tech Time at Hudson Library
2026-04-08 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-04-22 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-13 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-05-27 13:00 - 15:00 | Hudson Library, 554 Main St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Have you ever received the gift of a new digital device, like an iPad, smartphone or laptop, but had no idea how to use it? Hudson Library has the perfect solution-
Tech Time sessions offer one-on-one help on any personal digital device. Tech Time is a chance for residents of all ages to bring their devices and ask any questions. Learn how to set up an email account, mute your cell phone, back up and store files, and more.
Tech Times are free. No library card is required and no appointment is necessary. Services are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Financial Literacy Class at The Literacy & Learning Center
2026-04-20 17:30 - 18:30 | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
First topic: The 5 Times in Life You Need Financial Advice
The class will be taught in English, with a Spanish translator available.
Free dinner provided. Children welcome. RSVP is not required, but appreciated.It is hoped this will be an ongoing class; future settings will be determined based on interest.

Mindful Birding Workshop at Highlands Biological Station
2026-05-01 09:30 - 15:30 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Mindful Birding with Instructor Topher Stephens
Mindful Birding is a practice of heightening our awareness and opening our senses—and our hearts—to the beauty of the natural world. Unlike traditional bird walks where identifying and listing species is the primary goal, this workshop invites participants to slow down and experience birds in a more attentive and reflective way.
Throughout the day, we will move slowly through the landscape, allowing ourselves the rare opportunity to observe individual birds with patience and curiosity. While we will certainly help participants spot birds and notice some of their distinctive characteristics, our focus will be on presence, observation, and connection rather than checklists.
Using birds as our guides, participants will explore ways to deepen their relationship with the living landscape while also becoming more aware of their own internal experiences of awe, joy, and wonder in nature. Through quiet observation, guided reflection, and gentle discussion, this workshop creates space to engage with birds—and the environment around us—in a more mindful and meaningful way.
Mindful Birding is designed to be welcoming and accessible to everyone. No experience with birding or mindfulness practices is necessary. In fact, we will all be cultivating a “beginner’s mind,” approaching the natural world with openness, curiosity, and fresh attention.
This workshop offers a unique opportunity to slow down, tune in, and rediscover the simple yet profound experience of being present in nature.
Please Bring
• Binoculars if you have them (loaner pairs will be available if needed)
• A lightweight Crazy Creek–style camp chair or small foam pad for sitting
• Weather-appropriate layers and comfortable outdoor footwear

Village Nature Series | Embracing the Dark at The Village Green
2026-05-19 17:30 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
Embracing the Dark- Light Pollution, Health and the Environment with Stephan Martin
For more than a century, artificial lighting has transformed our nights—brightening our homes, streets, and cities. But only recently have scientists begun to fully understand the hidden costs of this constant illumination. Light pollution is now recognized as a significant factor affecting wildlife behavior, human health, and the balance of our environment. In this talk, we’ll explore why natural darkness is essential—not just for ecosystems, but for our own physical, mental, and emotional well-being. We’ll look at how excessive nighttime lighting disrupts sleep cycles, impacts animals, and alters natural rhythms that have existed for millennia. We’ll also focus on practical solutions. You’ll learn simple, effective ways to reduce light pollution at home and in your neighborhood—strategies that can improve your health, lower energy costs, and help restore the night sky for everyone.

Highlands Chamber of Commerce | Lunch & Learn Sessions: A.I. at Highlands Community Building
2026-05-20 11:30 - 13:00 | Highlands Community Building, 869 North 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Curious how AI can transform your business?
This introductory class explores the exciting ways artificial intelligence can streamline tasks, improve decision-making, and boost productivity. From chatbots to data analysis, discover practical AI tools you can start using today to work smarter, save time, and gain a competitive edge in your industry.

Mountain Heritage Series | Making Their Mark: The Women of Biltmore Estate at Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library
2026-05-20 15:00 - 17:00 | Albert-Carlton Community Library, 249 Frank Allen Rd, Cashiers, NC, 28741, United States
Cashiers Historical Society- Mountain Heritage Series “Making Their Mark: The Women of Biltmore Estate”
While it is easy to tell the story of George Washington Vanderbilt at Biltmore Estate, buried just under the surface are the stories of the female residents of Biltmore House, Edith Vanderbilt and Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil. From the late 1890s to the 1930s, Edith and Cornelia shaped not only the estate on which they lived, but the wider communities in which they were active. Born in different eras and yet united by an abiding love for Western North Carolina, this talk will examine the Vanderbilt women’s involvement in the social, philanthropic, and public life of the region with an emphasis on how society perceived them—and how they perceived themselves.
Meghan Forest-Singeris Associate Curator at Biltmore Estate, where she has worked for seven years. Her graduate work at the University of Oxford (Kellogg College) fostered a passion for uncovering stories of those that may otherwise be lost to history. During her time at Biltmore, she has authored five exhibitions and piloted Biltmore’s online exhibition program, in addition to her involvement in conducting archival research, supporting room restorations, and advancing equitable, multimedia interpretation that makes all guests to Biltmore feel welcomed.
Free admission for CHS members;
$5 suggested donation for non-members

Youth Nature Series | Map & Compass Nature Treasure Hunt at The Village Green
2026-05-26 16:00 - 17:00 | The Village Green, 160 Frank Allen Road, Cashiers, NC, 28717, United States
This nature based map and compass scavenger hunt is an engaging adventure where participants use compasses to locate natural items and nature themed prizes. Participants will learn cardinal directions (North, South, East, West), beginner map reading skills, spatial awareness, pacing, teamwork and communication. This scavenger hunt will be a fun and exciting adventure while participants experience the benefits of connecting with the natural environment and the community around them.
Youth of all ages are invited to participate in these educational and interactive programs!
All of the Nature Series Programs, adult and youth, are FREE, family-friendly, held RAIN OR SHINE, and no reservations are required.
