Highlands Biological Station

The Highlands Biological Station is a multi-campus center of Western Carolina University consisting of academic research, teaching, and residential facilities as well as a natural history museum (Highlands Nature Center) and a 12-acre native plant botanical garden (Highlands Botanical Gardens). The Highlands Biological Station is primarily University-supported, with additional funding provided by grants, program revenue, and the non-profit Highlands Biological Foundation, Inc. Our mission is 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.”

HBS realizes its mission of education and research broadly through (1) support of scientific research and graduate training, (2) an annual program of accredited field biology courses for undergraduate and graduate students  (3)hosting visiting academic groups, and (4) a diverse outreach programming for regional K-12 schools and the local community.

• Logo:
• UN Geographic Region: North America
• Street: 265 N. Sixth Street
• City: Highlands
• Zip Code: 28741
• Country: United States
• State/Province: North Carolina
• Latitude: 35
• Longitude: 83
• FSML E-mail Address: hbs@wcu.edu
• FSML Web Address: https://highlandsbiological.org/
• FSML Year Founded: 1927
• Year Join OBFS: 2010
• University affiliation(s)?: Yes
• Names of Universities affiliated / Parent Organization: Western Carolina Univeristy
• Address Line 1: 1 University Drive
• City: Cullowhee
• Zip Code: 28723
• Country: United States
• State: North Carolina
• Contact Name: Sarah Vickery
• Contact Email: svickery@wcu.edu
• Contact Position: University Program Associate
• Contact Address: 265 N. 6th Street
• Contact Phone Number: +18285262602
• Station Director Name: James Costa
• Station Director Email: costa@wcu.edu
• Billing Contact Name: Katie Cooke
• Billing Contact Email: kfcooke@wcu.edu
• Voting Delegate Email: Costa@wcu.edu
• Operating Budget: $50,001 - $200,000
• Size of Field Station: 1-100
• Federal, state, or local governmental partners?: Other
• Other: University/College
• Open to the Public?: Yes
• Onsite staff?: Yes
• Year Round Staff: 3-5
• Seasonal Staff: 11-20
• Overnight housing facilities: 50+
• Conference space: 26-50
• Electricity: On Grid
• Distance to emergency services?: 0-20 minutes
• Internet Access?: Yes
• Library?: Yes
• Classes: Onsite public programs
• Hiking trails?: Yes
• Internships?: Yes
• Biome Type: Terrestrial
• Terrestrial Biomes: Temperate Forest
• Minimum Elevation: 751-1500 meters
• Maximum Elevation: 1501-3000 meters
• Köppen climate classification: C (temperate)
• Freshwater habitats: Yes
• Urban/Rural: Rural
• REU host station?: Yes
• Dry lab space?: Yes
• Wet Lab space?: Yes
• Research vessels available?: Yes
• GIS capacity on site?: Yes
• Long term data sets?: Yes
• On site herbarium or voucher species?: Yes
• Outdoor manipulative experiments: Yes
• Research and/or graduate student training: 30
• Formal education: 50
• Outreach: 20