Highlands Biological Station

The mission of the Highlands Biological Station, a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University, is to foster research, education, and conservation focused on the rich natural heritage of the southern Blue Ridge, a global biodiversity hotspot. Mission: To foster research and education focused on the rich natural heritage of the Highlands Plateau, while preserving and celebrating the integrity of the “biological crown of the southern Appalachian Mountains." STATION & FOUNDATION
Originally housed in a single room in the Hudson Library, HBS was founded in 1927 as a small private research facility by a group of amateur and professional biologists and interested citizens in the Highlands, North Carolina area. The rich diversity of the region attracted researchers working on many different taxa and systems; this led to growing support from the State of North Carolina and the National Science Foundation. In the mid–1970s HBS was acquired by the University of North Carolina and is now administered by Western Carolina University. HBS supports scientific research and graduate training, field–centered courses and visiting academic groups, and outreach programming for regional K–12 schools, the community, and life–long learners. When the Station was acquired by the UNC system in the mid–1970s, the original non–profit research station reorganized as the Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF), Inc., a 501(c)(3) non–profit organization and one of the oldest non–profit organizations in Highlands, North Carolina. Through their contributions, HBF members directly support the mission of HBS to foster education and research focused on the rich natural heritage of the Highlands Plateau. Additionally, HBF helps to fund the Botanical Garden and Nature Center. HBF programs have served as a catalyst for galvanizing community support around conservation – people are brought together by their shared love and concern for the mountains. Become a member and help support this cherished institution! NATURE CENTER
The Highlands Nature Center was founded as the Museum of the Highlands Biological Station in 1927, and was housed as an annex to the Hudson Library. Its present home, the Clark Foreman Museum building, was constructed between 1939–1941 by the Works Progress Administration using native granite from the local quarry and wormy chestnut salvaged from the Nantahala National Forest. The Nature Center offers exhibits and year–round educational programming for children and adults. BOTANICAL GARDEN
The 12–acre Highlands Botanical Garden was established in 1962 as a refuge and demonstration garden for the diverse flora of the Southern Appalachians. Nearly 500 species of mosses, ferns, wildflowers, shrubs and trees flourish in natural forest, wetlands and old–growth plant communities, connected by a series of trails and boardwalks. Demonstration gardens display native azaleas, plants of the Cherokee, mosses and liverworts, wildflowers, butterfly-pollinated species, and rock outcrop species.