2017 Spring Newsletter

CONTENTS

• The Value of Membership

• State of the Station

• Wildflower Whimsy

• Photography contest

• Summer Workshops

• Special Programs & Zahner

Conservation Lecture Series

• Volunteer at HBS & New Staff

• Botanical Garden Update

• Art meets Science

• Growing Outreach

• 2017 GIA Recipients

• Special Donor Acknowledgement

LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Julia Grumbles, Highlands Biological Foundation

The Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support. This has been an incredibly successful year for our organization and we have our members and donors to thank for this success.

We are excited to report that we have successfully completed the full design of the "North Campus" project and obtained all of the necessary permits to begin construction this season! As you are aware, this project will include an entrance gateway on Lower Lake Road, a pollinator garden, a nature trail encircling beautiful Lindenwood Lake, and a lakeside teaching pavilion. Numerous generous individuals and family foundations have provided funding for this project, and thanks to their support we have raised sufficient funds to begin construction. A group of dedicated friends and family members have joined together to honor a man who was committed to helping others discover a connection with the natural world. We are proud to announce that due to their generosity, the new teaching pavilion on the bank of Lindenwood lake will be named in honor of John "Sto" Stowers Jr. We believe that naming the structure after Sto is a fitting way to pay tribute to a man who was always sharing his knowledge of the natural world with others. HBF is thrilled to embark upon this new project, and your support has made this project possible.

Finally, I want to wholeheartedly thank our members who have supported HBF in other ways. Your critical membership support enables our staff to organize lectures, summer camps, and workshops as well as oversee and manage events and day-to-day operations. Please take a moment to renew your membership by returning the enclosed envelope.

On behalf of the Board of Trustees of the Highlands Biological Foundation, we look forward to welcoming you back this summer for our 90th year of service to our community.

STaTE OF THE STaTION

Letter from the Executive Director

Greetings and salutations, friends of HBS!

The month of the spring equinox is here, marking new beginnings, a new cycle, for the flora and fauna of Highlands. Except that our flora and fauna are rather confused this year... Winter doesn't so much feel over as never having come at all, or just for a fleeting visit — in the Botanical Garden, skunk cabbage made its appearance back in midJanuary, and Oconee Bells bloomed in February! I suspect that we have not seen winter's last hurrah yet this year. In the meantime, we're gearing up for the busy summer season, right around the calendrical corner. You'll find some new faces as well as old friends in both the staff and the programming this year; Gail in the Nature Center has relocated to the coast, and Madi and Alyssa, our program assistants in the office, are moving on to new adventures — we wish them well! It's going to be an eventful year, not least owing to the three improvements projects I mentioned in the fall newsletter: our "North Campus" outdoor classroom, entry area, and pollinator garden; the state-funded renovation of the Cottages dorms, and our NSF-funded overhaul and expansion of the Aquatics Laboratory. The wheels of progress turn rather more slowly than we would like, but at the moment we are on schedule for the completion of all three projects by this time next year. It'll be something of a messy inconvenience once ground-breaking begins, but the pain will be worth it. It's somehow auspicious that these projects are unfolding in our 90th year, taking us into our 10th decade in style. Less conspicuous projects are going on as well, keeping things interesting. We're entering the second season of our successful "HBS Bicycle Fleet" project (with thanks to RB), Katie Lapish in the office developed a new on-line application and registration process for our summer courses, Facilities Manager Mike McMahan has singlehandedly installed a gray water recycling system in Valentine House (with thanks to Inman and Tricia Allen), Russell Funderburk has neat new Botanical Garden projects in the works, new Nature Center exhibits have been

developed over the winter (with thanks to Leslie Costa), and recruitment is proceeding apace for our fall semesterin-residence program with the UNC-Chapel Hill Institute for the Environment. Noteworthy, too, are several new short courses with, we hope, broad appeal — Bartram's Travels, nature macrophotography, mushroom ID, and more are subjects of new offerings for anyone and everyone with an interest. Last but not least, this year will also see a fun season-long program celebrating the arts and sciences at HBS, with a number of artist Fellows spending time at HBS following their muses and helping us appreciate the Station through their palettes and pens. We look forward to seeing you — please enjoy the gardens and grounds, courses and workshops, Nature Center programs and exhibits we've prepared for you with TLC!

~ Jim Costa

REGISTER NOW WILDFLOWER WHIMSy

Celebrating spring ephemerals

Wildflower Whimsy is a two-day event taking place Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6. The celebration begins with a lecture given by Gary Kauffman on "After the Fires: Fire Ecology in the Blue Ridge, " and is followed by a native plant auction and wine reception in the meadow. The reception includes a cocktail buffet, wine, and beer accompanied by live music by the Tyler Kittle Trio. On Saturday, various wildflower enthusiasts and forest ecology experts are leading hikes focused on finding these fleeting, yet enduring wildflowers from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Lunch is provided. Choose your excursion from a hand-picked selection of favorite ephemeral locations in different burn areas to discover the persistent blooms of the southern Appalachians. Tickets are $75 for members and $100 for non-members. Register online at www.highlandsbiological. org/wildflower-whimsy/.

RENEW yOuR MEMbERSHIP TODay

There are many advantages to membership including: discounts on events, classes and summer camps, early registration, and our members are the first to know of the many opportunities offered through HBS. Most importantly, we cannot acomplish our goals and mission without your generous support. Please be sure to renew your membership today!

aNNuaL

SIGN uP FOR NaTuRE CENTER SuMMER CaMPS TODay

A perfect way to inspire your child to become a better steward of our environment and have some summer fun. To learn more or to register go to: highlandsbiological.org/nature-center/ summer-camp/ or call (828) 526-2623.

MEMbERSHIP MEETING

Join us during this exciting time of growth and help us plan for the future of h B s !

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING, 3:00 PM, SATURDAY, JUNE 24th

the meeting will be held in the seminar room of the coker laboratory (265 n . 6th s treet).

photo by Monte Gaillard

SuMMER WORkSHOPS

Immerse yourself in art, literature, or biology workshops perfect for our community members

Since its founding 90 years ago in 1927, the Highlands Biological Station has specialized in immersion-based outdoor education and programming under the philosophy that the best way to learn about the natural world is to experience it.

Wildflowers and Waterfalls

(May 1–5) with Dr. Timothy Spira, Clemson University

Discover the allure of waterfalls and the wildflowers that populate our local spray cliff communities.

Mountains Piled Upon Mountains: Exploring Western North Carolina through William Bartram's Travels

(May 15–20) with Brent Martin, The Wilderness Society

Explore the western North Carolina landscape through the writings of renowned 18th century naturalist and artist William Bartram.

Macrophotography: A Bug's-Eye View of Nature

(June 5–9) with Dr. Kefyn Catley, Western Carolina University

Experience nature from a bug’s-eye view and the biology behind the photograph for photographers and the art behind the image for those with a biology background—combining art and science to result in beautiful and useful photos.

Gardening with Native Plants in Highlands

(July 10–14) with Dr. Larry Mellichamp, UNC-Charlotte

A great opportunity to familiarize yourself with the habitat factors that define where plants grow and to learn how to use those factors in your own garden.

Rain Garden Design

(July 17–18) with Russell Funderburk, Highlands Biological Station

Designing and implementing a rain garden—a sustainable way to reduce pollution and manage runoff while cultivating native plants.

Mushrooms of the Carolinas

(Aug. 14–18) with Alan & Arleen Bessette, Michael Hopping

Introduction to the fleshy mushrooms of the southern Appalachian Mountains and those looking for the opportunity to pursue their personal mycological interests.

Tree Identification

(Oct. 18–20) with Russell Funderburk, Highlands Biological Station Learn about the trees of the Highlands Plateau.

Members of the Highlands Biological Foundation at the Sagee Mountain level and above receive a $50 discount. For more information about courses, costs, and instructors, call (828) 526-2602 or visit highlandsbiological.org/ summer-2017 and scroll down to the workshop section.

SPECIaL PROGRaMS aT THE NaTuRE CENTER

April 22 Earth Day Festivities

11:30am – 4:30pm; Free.

May 26 Salamander Meander

9:00pm – 10:00pm; $5.

June 4 Birds of the World 7:00pm; Free.

June 10 World Oceans Day

11:30am – 4:30pm; Free.

June 22 Feelin' Froggy

8:30pm – 9:30pm; $3.

June 29 Nocturnal Nature

8:30 – 9:30pm; $3.

July 1 Red, White, and Blue-tiful!

10:00am – 4:00pm; Free.

July 5 Salamander Spotlight

9:00pm – 10:00pm; $5.

July 25 Going Batty

8:00pm – 9:30pm; $3.

Aug. 8 Myths and Mysteries of the Night Sky

9:00pm – 10:30pm; $3.

Sept. 23 GO: Get Outside!

11:30am – 4:30pm; Free.

PHOTOGRAPHY CONTEST

Help us celebrate the beauty and diversity of the Highlands Plateau with your best photographs! HBS is looking for photos that illustrate a natural aspect of the Highlands Plateau in such categories as:

Mountains and Valleys, Waterways, Small World, and Winged Creatures.

All ages are welcome to participate in the contest and all submissions will be showcased at the Nature Center. The deadline for submissions is June 21st. For more information, visit highlandsbiological.org/photo-contest/.

SOME NEWS abOuT OuR

HbS EXECuTIvE DIRECTOR...

Jim Costa was appointed a Trustee of the London-based Charles Darwin Trust this year, as well as named to the Distinguished Lecturer Program of Sigma Xi, the Scientific Research Honor Society, a scientific "speakers bureau" making lecturers available to colleges and universities nationwide. Jim has also been lecturing abroad as a Study Leader with the Harvard Alumni Association travel program and the CLE, and has a new book coming out late summer: Darwin's Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory. Join us on August 3rd when Jim will give a Zahner Lecture on his new book!

ZaHNER CONSERvaTION

LECTuRE SERIES

All lectures are held at 6:30pm in the Highlands Nature Center (930 Horse Cove Road). Lectures are free and open to the public.

Jul. 6 Saving Our Salamanders: Natural History, Ecology, and Conservation in the "Salamander Capital of the World"

Dr. JJ Apodaca, Professor, Warren Wilson College

Jul. 13 Highlands Botanical Garden A View From the Top: The Highest Botanical Garden in Eastern America

Dr. Larry Mellichamp, Professor Emeritus, UNC-Charlotte

Jul. 20 Who Says You Can't Go Home Again: Returning Elk to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Dr. Joe Yarkovich, Wildlife Biologist, Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Jul. 27 The Chestnut: The Life, Death and Rebirth of an Iconic American Tree

Lisa Thomson, President and CEO, and Dr. Jared Westbrook, Director of Science, American Chestnut Foundation

Aug. 3 Darwin's Backyard: How Small Experiments Led to a Big Theory

Dr. James T. Costa, Executive Director, Highlands Biological Station

Aug. 10 Southern Appalachian Cataract Fens: Rare Plant Communities Living on the Edge

vOLuNTEER PROGRaM

Volunteers are an invaluable resource for a nonprofit organization. We promise to make your time not only useful and meaningful, but educational as well. Our new volunteer program includes diverse opportunities spanning a wide array of interests and abilities.

bENEFITS OF vOLuNTEERING

• Meet new and interesting people with a common interest.

• Refine or gain new skills.

• Learn more about gardening and the Highlands environment.

• Learn about the rich history of this organization.

• Participate in continuing education about the natural world.

• Participate in special annual events for volunteers.

vOLuNTEER OPPORTuNITIES

• Gardening

• Herbarium Assistant

• Adult Education

• Youth Education

• Special Events

• Office Support

• Nature Center Greeter

• Photography

To learn more about volunteering, please call Hillrie Quin at (828) 526-2385 or email him at hillriemquin@gmail.com

Tim Lee, Park Interpreter and Naturalist, Mountain Bridge Wilderness Area

Aug. 17 2017 Carolina Total Solar Eclipse

Christi Whitworth, Director of Learning Experiences, PARI Institute

Aug. 24 Woodpeckers and Hoover Chickens in the Southern Piney Woods

Robert Abernathy, President, The Longleaf Alliance

Aug. 31 Eastern Cougar: Their Ecological Importance and Their Prospects For Recovery in the Southeastern USA

Dr. Ron Sutherland, Wildlands Network

Sept. 7 The Butterfly Highway: A Roadmap for Pollinator and Wildlife Contervation in North Carolina

Dr. Angel Hjarding, Director of Pollinator and Wildlife Habitat Programs, North Carolina Wildlife Federation

Sept. 14 A Bird's-Eye View of Climate Change: BlackThroated Blue Warbler Populations in the Southern Appalachians

Dr. Robert Cooper, Professor, University of Georgia

bOTaNICaL GaRDEN uPDaTE

Exciting things are happening in the Garden Happy spring from the Highlands Botanical Garden! A warm, mild winter encourages the early arrival of some of our spring wildflowers, and in fact, two are already here. Skunk cabbage, a northern affinity species rarely found in the south, put up its “pod-like” bloom on January 17th, two months earlier than last spring. Another early bloomer is crocus, a diminutive, introduced ephemeral species that is considered by many to be the “first flower of spring.” This year, however, it made its debut in late winter, arriving on February 7th .

The new year promises to bring new challenges and opportunities here at the Highlands Botanical Garden. It will be interesting to see how the considerable lack of rainfall and unseasonably warm temperatures over the past year will affect the native collection (data are available at highlandsbiological.org). It appears that every new season brings new questions. The Botanical Garden committee is currently considering two projects to initiate this spring. First, we intend to enhance the plantings along the trail between the amphitheater and the garden entrance near the cottages. This plan will include multiple new plantings of shrubs and perennial flowers as well as the construction of a split-rail locust fence to help delineate the garden and improve safety. The second project is to enhance the Cherokee Garden with new plant specimens, a small traditional Cherokee dwelling, and new signage, created in cooperation with the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians. We hope to involve our members in both projects through volunteer opportunities in spring and early summer. These improvements, along with day-to-day maintenance and discovery, give promise of an adventurous and productive year here at the Highlands Botanical Garden. We hope to see all of you soon as a guest, student, or garden volunteer!

STaFF DEvELOPMENTS

We are pleased to welcome our new Nature Center Education Specialist, Eliese Ronke. Eliese has many years of experience working with kids of all ages as well as adults. She is looking forward to joining the HBF team and continuing the long and wonderful tradition of summer nature camps, special programs and sharing her knowledge of the natural world with our community. Gail Lemiec has accepted a new position at an aquarium on the coast of North Carolina. Gail did an incredible job of bringing fun new programs to the Nature Center and educating the community on what makes Highlands so special.

IN THE GaRDEN, WHERE aRT aND SCIENCE MEET

Our 2017 season celebrating our 90th year will include a number of special events where Science and the Arts meet. We will host a number of art related happenings beginning in early May and culminating in October with an exposition of paintings, photography, music, poetry, dance or other artworks inspired by the Botanical Gardens and environs of the HBS campus.

On Wednesdays, through the summer, local artists will sketch, paint, play music, or perform on the HBS campus grounds. Artists will share the generation of ideas and the creative process with garden visitors. In October, we will host an exhibition of the works completed this season by participating artists. The art work exhibited at the October event will be for sale with a percentage going to both the artist and to HBF. At the closing art show, participating artists will invite listeners to be part of a panel discussion about how their works represent their responses to nature. We hope you will join these casual, creative opportunities to celebrate the meeting of Art and Science.

GROWING OuTREaCH

Adding another layer to classroom learning

School Outreach programming at HBS continues to thrive and expand. More than 40 different programs, designed to meet the curriculum requirements of the North Carolina Science Essential Standards for each grade level, supplement existing lessons by bringing additional resources to the school and by providing immersive, experiential education opportunities for students ages pre-K to adult. This past year, a record 6,800 students were served through 200 school programs and community service events, totaling more than 11,000 contact hours in schools! That represents increases of 37% in the number of students, 27% in programs, and 45% in contact hours.

Outreach programming has also expanded now to 12 different regional mountain counties. Although most programs continue to be presented in Macon and Jackson Counties, the Outreach Department has also recently received requests from several previously-unserved schools in Transylvania, Swain, Clay, Cherokee, Haywood, and Graham Counties. A record 49 different regional public, private, and home schools and other community organizations received programming in 2016, with most lessons (81%) taking place in the classroom.

In addition, new biodiversity programs are now available for students enrolled in the NC Wildlife elective course at some area high schools.

For more information about our wide range of program offerings, please contact Outreach Education Specialist, Patrick Brannon, at 828-526-4123.

2017 GIA Recipients

Congratulations to the following for receiving Grants in Aid of Research

Rich Baird, Faculty, Mississippi State University

Continuation of short- and long-term studies of fungi as symbionts, saprophytes and pathogens in reforestation and established forest ecosystems of the southern Appalachian Mountains

Meaghan Gade, PhD student, Ohio State University

Patterns of distribution, abundance, and population demographics of plethodontid salamanders across environmental and wildfire severity gradients *Bruce Family Scholarship*

Philip Gould, PhD student, Ohio State University

Assessing the ecological role of stream salamanders in the southern Appalachians *Martina Haggard Scholarship*

Wendy Harmon, MS student, Western Carolina University

The impossible salamander [Ecotoxicology of plethodontid salamanders at Buck Creek Serpentine Barren]

Amanda Lafferty, MS student, Western Carolina University

Distribution and high-elevation adaptation of the invasive fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in North Carolina *Ralph Sargent Scholarship*

Mary Kate O'Donnell, PhD student, University of South Florida Clinging and climbing in plethodontid salamanders

Mike Osbourn, Faculty, Appalachian State University

Terrestrial salamander persistence in regenerating timber cuts

Rada Petric, PhD student, UNC-Greensboro

Effects of broadband anthropogenic noise on behavior and physiology of deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus)

IN MEMORIaM

Robert Foreman 1926 2017

We are saddened by the loss of our dear friend Robert Langdon Foreman Jr. Robert is survived by his wife, son and daughter Alexa Foreman, who now serves on the Highlands Biological Foundation Board in his stead. Robert was a huge supporter of the environment and education and had a deep love for theater and the community.

*HBF Science & Society Fellow*

Ellen Quinlan, MS student, Western Carolina University

The ecophysiological diversity and migratory history of sandmyrtle (Kalmia buxifolia)

Sarah Wanamaker, PhD student, Washington State University

The effect of temperature on energy allocation in Desmognathus ocoee

HBF Board oF

TrusTees

Julia Grumbles, President

Henry (Greg) Gregory, Vice President

Dick Allison, Treasurer

Jennie Stowers, Secretary

Melissa Delany, At Large

Elizabeth Sargent, At Large

Linda Barlow

Tom Claiborne

Kenneth Conover

Kimberly Coward

Vevie Dimmitt

Ruth Edwards

Alexa Foreman

R.B. Haynes

Marianne Jenkins

Glenn E. Murer

Ruthie Oliver

Karen Patterson

Hillrie Quin

Helen Regnery

Martha Stibbs

Robert Tucker

Glenda Zahner

special donors

We appreciate the contributions of all members. Those who have made especially generous donations this fiscal year (between January 2016 and March 2017) when this newsletter went to print include:

$500-$999

Mr. John Briggs

Dr. and Mrs. Richard C. Bruce

Mr. and Mrs. Bill Burke

Ms. Michele Burns

Mr. Kenneth J. Conover and Dr. Lynda Anderson

The Coca-Cola Company

The Curry Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Daugherty

Mrs. Melissa Delany

Dr. Richard Feldhoff

Mr. Donald W. Fisher

Ms. Sandra Freeman

Mr. and Mrs. Larry Fuller

Mr. and Mrs. Palmer Gaillard

Mr. and Mrs. Scott Glass

Ms. Judith Greene-McLeod

Dr. Lynne Houck

Dr. and Mrs. William Jordan

Mr. and Mrs. Michael Levine

Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Malcom

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Mauldin

Mr. and Mrs. William McCoy

Mr. and Mrs. Jim Meadows

Ms. Moyna Monroe

Mr. and Mrs. Obie Oakley

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Oliver

Ms. Cookie Patterson

Dr. Ronald H. Petersen

Mr. and Mrs. Don Proctor

Mrs. Elizabeth Sargent

Ms. Catherine Seay

Mrs. Susan Sheehan

Kay and Walter Strom

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Tucker

University Financing Foundation, Inc.

Mr. and Mrs. Bestor Ward

$1,000-$4,999

Ms. Bryan Baldwin

Mr. and Mrs. Griffin B. Bell

Dr. Richard Bierregaard Jr.

Mr. Richard Boger

Mr. Dan Boone

Ms. Carol Ann Bowers

Mrs. J. Elizabeth Bradham

Mr. and Mrs. Waldo Bradley

Mr. Chris Carpenter and Mrs. Cathy Henson

Dr. and Mrs. Tom Claiborne

Mr. and Mrs. Wade Coleman

Dr. Grant Connette

Mrs. Kimberly Coward

Mr. and Mrs. Ed Crenshaw

Mr. Sam Dixon

Dr. and Mrs. Michael Dupuis

Fidelity Bank

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fisher

Ms. Tink Friedrichs

Givewell Community Foundation

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goodsell

Mr. William H. Haggard

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Hall III

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Holmes

Ms. Suzanne Inman

J.P. Morgan Charitable Giving Program

Mr. and Mrs. Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Paul Jones

Mr. and Mrs. Stiles Kellett

Mr. Alfred D. Kennedy III and Mr. William Kenney

Mr. Frank Langford

Mrs. Lydia Sargent Macauley

Mr. and Mrs. David Martin

The Knox Massey Family

Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Mathes

Ms. Kimberly Matthews

McAilley Endowment Trust

Dr. and Mrs. McCollum

Mr. John Mitchener and Mr. Heath Massey

Mountain Findings

Mr. Glenn Murer

Dr. and Mrs. Alex Nading Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Lyle Nichols

Mr. and Mrs. Tabor Novak

Marsha and Skip O'Connor

Mr. and Mrs. Joe Owens

Dr. Amy E. Patterson

Ms. Karen K. Patterson

Mr. and Mrs. Hillrie Quin

Mr. and Mrs. Kim Ratliff

Mr. and Mrs. Williams Reeves

Mr. and Mrs. John F. Rogers

Mr. and Mrs. Saik

Mr. Paul W. Sanger

Mr. and Mrs. Hugh A.A. Sargent

Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Skiles

Mark Squillante and Danielle Berry

Mr. and Mrs. Rusty Stewart

Mr. and Mrs. Hal Stibbs

Mrs. Jennie Stowers

Mr. and Mrs. Claude T. Sullivan

Mr. and Mrs. James Swann

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Tracy

Mrs. Jane S. Webb

Mr. and Mrs. Walter Wingfield

$5,000 to $9,999

Mr. and Mrs. H. Inman Allen

Mr. Julian Banton and Mrs. Carol Garrison

Mr. and Mrs. Frank Burke

Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Conlee

Mr. and Mrs. Richard Goodsell

Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson

Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Jones

The Old Edwards Inn

$10,000 to $24,999

Mr. and Mrs. Richard A. Allison

Mr. and Mrs. Berryman Edwards

Mr. Robert L. Harrison

Hart Foundation

Mr. and Mrs.Forrest McConnell Jr.

Mr. and Mrs. Forrest McConnell III

Mr. and Mrs. William McConnell

Mr. and Mrs. John Moorehouse

Mr. Jeffrey Schenck and Ms. Rachel Friday

Mrs. Lyda White

$25,000 to $99,999

Anonymous

Mr. and Mrs. James Ethier

Mr. and Mrs. Henry (Greg) Gregory

Mrs. Julia Sprunt Grumbles

Mr. and Mrs. Ben Jenkins

Over $100,000

A. L. Williams Jr. Family Foundation

Photo curtesy of Jessie Allen