Photo: Kevin FitzPatrick
Letter from the President JULIA GRUMBLES, HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL FOUNDATION
CONTENTS: HBS Observation Cards
North Campus Update
2020 GIA Prospects
Zahner Reading List
Carpenter Lecture
Tribute to Hillrie Quin
Virtual Learning Center
Donor Acknowledgement
It is truly an unprecedented time in our country and in Highlands. Our beautiful campus is exploding with the onset of spring, but it is quiet. Like you, we are waiting to see where this pandemic is headed, when it will abate, and how soon the Highlands Biological Foundation can re-open its office. We are adhering to Western Carolina University’s policies and protocols while still serving our mission to educate our community about the natural world around us. In the meantime, I thought I would share with you what is happening at HBF while we wait to return safely back to a full-time schedule. Fortunately, we have a very hard working, dynamic staff led ably by Charlotte Muir. She and her team have quickly rallied to continue HBF’s long standing tradition and commitment to community education and outreach. Paige Engelbrektsson and Winter Gary have deftly employed technology through social media and our website to provide the Plateau community, and beyond, with environmental content and resources that can be enjoyed from home. From virtually guided Botanical Garden tours, daily online children’s activities, and nature book and movie recommendations to corresponding with individuals through the mail, our team is working hard to engage all members of our community, even those who may not have internet access at this time. Now that we are a few months into this new reality, we are working to be sure we are providing our community with as much up-to-date information as possible. WCU has recently restricted all face-to-face programming until further notice meaning we likely cannot hold our slate of educational programs. We are currently working to determine the best course of action to continue to engage our members and community, and we are planning to provide access to digital programs and Zahner Lecture alternatives in the months to come. We will advise you through emails and our website of all further updates due to the COVID-19 virus. We hope you and your family are safe and well. It is our sincere hope and prayer that we will soon be able to return to “normal” to enjoy all that Highlands Biological Foundation is sponsoring at the Station. Please reach out to me or Charlotte if you have any questions. I hope to see you soon!