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Highlands Biological Station Celebrates 80 years! Founded in 1927, the Highlands Biological Station acquired its first laboratory for scientific research in 1931. Since that time, scientists based at the Station have made significant contributions in a number of fields, particularly in the study of salamander biology, plant ecology, mycology, and aquatic ecology. A symposium held on October 13th, 2007 celebrated the HBS tradition of research and education focused on the unique southern Appalachian natural environment.
About the Highlands Biological Station The Highlands Biological Station is a year-round biological field station located on a high plateau in the southern Appalachian Mountains of southwestern North Carolina. Its principal mission is to promote research and education in biodiversity studies (ecology, systematics, evolution, and conservation), with special emphasis on the diverse flora and fauna of the region. Founded in 1927 through the combined efforts of prominent local residents and a group of biologists from leading universities in the Southeast, HBS built its first laboratory in 1930. Today the remodeled Sam T. Weyman Laboratory functions as the main dining hall. For its first 50 years, HBS operated as a non-profit corporation, which derived its support from private donations and memberships, as well as from member colleges and universities.
Beginning in the 1950s, HBS received limited operating funds from the state of North Carolina. These state grants increased gradually until, by 1972, they represented the Station's major source of operating funds. Discussions initiated at that time eventually led to the acquisition of HBS by the University of North Carolina (a statewide system of 16 constituent campuses). HBS officially became an interinstitutional center of the UNC system in 1976. Nevertheless, continuing its tradition of broader ties to other universities throughout the Southeast, HBS continued to be supported in part by a consortium of colleges and universities, including most of the Ph.D. - granting institutions in the Southeast. Among the 34 current members are Duke, Emory, Vanderbilt, and other private schools, as well as such major state universities as the University of Florida, University of Georgia, and University of Tennessee. HBS is governed by a 10-member Board of Directors; the research and graduate training programs are further advised by a 34-member Board of Scientific Advisors. The tradition of a "private side" to HBS was continued as well, with the reorganization of the "original Station" into the Highlands Biological Foundation. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose sole purpose is to raise funds for HBS, invest these, and make grants to the Station to support its programs in research, education, and outreach. Currently, the Foundation provides about 10% of the total budget of HBS, most of which is used for scholarships and grants-in-aid of research. The Foundation has also expanded its support of the Highlands Nature Center and the Highlands Botanical Garden, which serve as the chief avenues for educating the public about the rich natural heritage of the area and how to preserve it. A 32-member Board of Trustees guides the operations of the Foundation. Further information about the Station, its facilities, and its programs can be obtained by contacting: Highlands Biological Station 265 N. Sixth Street Highlands, North Carolina 28741 Telephone: 828-526-2602 FAX: 828-526-2797 e-mail: hbs@email.wcu.edu
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