Laurel Magazine

Tinker Time for Tots at The Literacy & Learning Center
2026-07-29 11:00 (America/New_York) | The Literacy & Learning Center, 675 S 4th Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Little hands, big imagination!
Join us for Tinker Time for Tots — a free, playful hour designed for toddlers and their caregivers.
Each session sparks creativity through hands-on activities that build curiosity and connection.

Citizenship Class with Faviola Olvera at The Literacy & Learning Center
2026-07-29 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-08-05 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-08-12 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-08-19 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-08-26 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-09-02 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-09-09 17:30 - 19:00, 2026-09-16 17:30 - 19:00 and 1 more date | 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

Zahner Conservation Lecture Series at Highlands Nature Center
2026-07-30 18:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Connecting Appalachia: Wildlife Connectivity, Corridors, and Road Crossings
Featured Speaker | Liz Hillard, PhD, Senior Wildlife Biologist-Appalachian Region for Wildlands Network
This talk explores efforts to understand and improve wildlife connectivity across the Appalachian region, from local road crossing projects to large-scale corridor planning. It will highlight how wildlife crossing structures, habitat connectivity, and landscape scale conservation vision can work together to improve wildlife conservation.
Sponsored by Lori & Ed Heys

Free ESL Classes at The Literacy and Learning Center
2026-08-04 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-11 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-18 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-08-25 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2026-09-22 18:00 - 19:00 | 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

Science on the Rocks at Highlands Biological Station
2026-08-05 16:00, 2026-08-12 16:00, 2026-08-19 16:00, 2026-08-26 16:00 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
Science, conversation, and the people behind the research
Each week a researcher or staff member shares the work happening on and around the Highlands Plateau — from bats and salamanders to glow worms and tree rings. Ask questions, trade ideas, and get a closer look at the science of the southern Blue Ridge. All programs begin at 4:00 PM, and the location on campus is weather-dependent.

Zahner Conservation Lecture Series at Highlands Nature Center
2026-08-06 18:00 | Highlands Nature Center, 930 Horse Cove Rd, Highlands, NC, 28741
Plastic Pollution on the Plateau: An Overview of Microplastics Research in the Southern Appalachians
Featured Speaker | Jason Love, Associate Director of Highlands Biological Station, Western Carolina University
Microplastics are a growing environmental and human health concern. Recent research from HBS and others shows that microplastics are being deposited from the atmosphere, where they end up in the environment, including soils, forested headwater streams, valley rivers, and in both terrestrial and aquatic animals. This presentation will provide an overview of plastic pollution, including research from the Plateau and surrounding region.
Sponsored by Paul Manos & Diane Lennox

Tech Time at Hudson Library
2026-08-12 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-08-26 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-09 13:00 - 15:00, 2026-09-23 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.

Native Plant Symposium at Highlands Biological Station
2026-09-11 10:00 - 17:00, 2026-09-12 09:00 - 17:00 | Highlands Biological Station, 265 N 6th St, Highlands, NC, 28741, United States
The Highlands Botanical Gardens take center stage this September as the Highlands Biological Station hosts its biennial Native Plant Celebration, a weekend of free community programming, a native‑plant sale, guided tours, and a ticketed symposium featuring noted voices in science, design, and art, all supporting the year‑round gardens that remain one of the Plateau’s most cherished public treasures.
View the full schedule here.
