[ECOLOG-L] Introducing the Tree House, the new molecular lab at the Highlands Biological Station
The Highlands Biological Station in Highlands, NC is excited to announce the opening of an ultra-modern molecular facility, affectionately named The Tree House. Located on the second floor of the Bruce Biodiversity Laboratory with views of the Lindenwood Lake, the new facility contains equipment suitable for a diversity of molecular research applications in ecology, systematics, and evolutionary biology. A list of equipment and a detailed user manual is available at http://www.wcu.edu/hbs/Research.htm. Please feel free to forward this information to colleagues and students that might be interested in taking advantage of the opportunity to do labwork at a field station!
[ECOLOG-L] Science Society Fellowship in Highlands, NC
Highlands Biological Foundation Science Society Fellow The Highlands Biological Station and Foundation and pleased to announce a new competitive Grant-in-Aid fellowship in support of research at the Highlands Biological Station. The Highlands Biological Foundation Science Society Fellow will be awarded to a meritorious proposal that addresses an environmental problem or issue of local or regional relevance, and includes significant community engagement. This fellowship program is intended to promote the study or solution of environmental problems while affording opportunities to educate the public. We invite proposals from graduate or post-graduate researchers (graduate students, postdocs or faculty) for a project with relevance to local or regional environmental or conservation issues (e.g., invasive species, habitat fragmentation, watershed quality, etc.). The Fellowship will support the successful applicant at the level of $450/week in support of residence at HBS, with a minimum residency of 4 weeks and a maximum residency of 12 weeks in the summer of 2011. To be considered for the Highlands Biological Foundation Science Society Fellow award, in addition to following the format and submission guidelines established for the standard HBS Grant-in-Aid program applicants are asked to provide a cover letter explaining (1) the significance of the proposed project in terms of local or regional environmental or conservation issues, and (2) how the applicant proposes to engage the Highlands community while in residence at HBS. We see this fellowship as an opportunity to educate and inspire our community about the importance or significance of fellows work. Community engagement might take many forms, for example developing a special exhibit for the Highlands Nature Center, giving public presentation(s), and/or working with the local newspaper or new HBS Communications Director on articles. The applicant would also agree to make themselves available for interviews, etc. For further information or inquires about project suitability, please contact HBS Executive Director Jim Costa at 828-526-2602, or co...@email.wcu.edu.
[ECOLOG-L] Summer courses in field biology-Highlands Biological Station
2011 SUMMER COURSES AND WORKSHOPS AT THE HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION The Highlands Biological Station, an inter-institutional research center of the University of North Carolina, is offering its 2011 series of summer courses and workshops that can be taken for undergraduate OR graduate credit toward your academic program. The following list of field-based courses and workshops are focused on the diversity of organisms in the region with special emphasis on identification and collection techniques as well as principles of evolution, ecology and conservation. Scholarships, Grants-in-aid of research for graduate students, and summer internships also available. Highlands, North Carolina, is located in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, at an average elevation about 3,800 feet, and situated near the Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee Indian Reservation, Appalachian Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information and to apply, visit www.wcu.edu/hbs, email h...@email.wcu.edu or call 828-526-2602. 2011 Course Schedule: FISHES OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS (May 9 19) Robert Cashner, University of New Orleans Mollie Cashner, Southeastern Louisiana University ECOLOGY OF ROCK OUTCROP COMMUNITIES (May 23 June 4) Keith Clay, Indiana University VASCULAR PLANTS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS (June 6 18) Paul Manos, Duke University EVOLUTION IN THE BLUE RIDGEFOR SCIENCE EDUCATORS* (June 20 July 2) Louise Mead, BEACON Center at Michigan State; Jim Costa Kefyn Catley, Western Carolina University PRINCIPLES OF CONSERVATION BIOLOGY IN THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS (July 4 16) Peter White, UNC-Chapel Hill CONSERVATION BIOLOGY OF AMPHIBIANS (July 18 30) Ray Semlitsch, University of Missouri SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MAYFLIES, STONEFLIES AND CADDISFLIES (August 1 13) John Morse, Clemson University C.J. Geraci, National Museum of Natural History MOLECULAR METHODS IN BIOLOGY (May 16 21) Ron Michaelis, Western Carolina University NATURE JOURNALING WORKSHOP WITH DRAWING AND PHOTOGRAPHY (June 6 10) Nancy Lowe, Discover Life John Pickering, University of Georgia MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY WORKSHOPFOR SCIENCE EDUCATORS* (June 27 July 1) Karen Kandl, Western Carolina University BRYOPHYTE IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP (July 18 22) Paul Davison, University of North Alabama Cost and Credit Information Course fee: $525 per 2-week course (**$425 for students from HBS member institutions**) Workshop fee: $275 per 1-week workshop (**$225 for students from HBS member institutions**) [[*Evolution in the Blue Ridge course Mountain Biodiversity workshop for science educators have significantly reduced ratescall 828-526-2602 or see website for details!] Course credit: Summer courses can be taken for 4 semester hours credit, workshops can be taken for 2 hours credit, through either UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University for an additional $85 Housing: $75/week depending on accommodations. Check website for course applications, detailed descriptions, and prerequisite requirements: http://www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm
[ECOLOG-L] SUMMER COURSES AT HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION
2010 SUMMER COURSES AND WORKSHOPS AT THE HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION The Highlands Biological Station, an inter-institutional research center of the University of North Carolina is offering its 2010 series of summer courses and workshops that can be taken for credit toward your academic program. The following list of field-based courses and workshops are focused on the diversity of organisms in the region with special emphasis on identification and collection techniques as well as principles of evolution, ecology and conservation. Scholarships, Grants-in-aid of research for graduate students, and summer internships also available. Highlands, North Carolina is located in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, at an average elevation about 3,800 feet, and situated near the Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee Indian Reservation, Appalachian Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information and to apply, visit www.wcu.edu/hbs, email h...@email.wcu.edu or call 828-526-2602. 2010 Course Schedule: TAXONOMY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MAYFLIES, STONEFLIES, AND CADDISFLIES with John C. Morse (May 3 May 15) BIOLOGY OF PLETHODONTID SALAMANDERS with Stephen G. Tilley (May 17 May 29) MAMMALS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS with R. Wayne Van Devender (May 31 June 12) BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION OF BIRDS with Rob Bierregaard (June 14 June 26) INSECT BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY with James T. Costa and Lynn E. Fletcher (June 28 July 10) SPIDERS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS with Kefyn M. Catley (July 12 July 24) FLESHY FUNGI OF THE HIGHLANDS PLATEAU with Andrew S. Methven (July 26 August 7) LAND SNAIL IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP with Amy and Wayne Van Devender (May 1014) IDENTIFICATION OF SEDGES WORKSHOP with Dwayne Estes (May 2429) FERN IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP with Dwayne Estes (August 914) MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY WORKSHOPFOR TEACHERS with Karen Kandl (June 21-25) OBSERVING NATURES DETAILSSCIENTIFIC ILLUSTRATION AND PHOTOGRAPHY WEEKEND WORKSHOP with Nancy Lowe and John Pickering (April 24-25) Cost and Credit Information Course fee: $525 per 2-week course (**$425 for students from HBS member institutions**) Workshop fee: $275 per 1-week workshop (**$225 for students from HBS member institutions**) [Mountain Biodiversity can be taken for 2 graduate credits or 3 CEUs. Registration fee is $30] Course credit: Summer courses can be taken for 4 semester hours credit, workshops can be taken for 2 hours credit, through either UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University for an additional $85 Housing: $75/week Check website for course applications, detailed descriptions, and prerequisite requirements: http://www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm
[ECOLOG-L] Observing Nature's Details Workshop April 24-25 at the Highlands Biological Station
OBSERVING NATURE'S DETAILS This workshop is a survey of some visual techniques used by scientists to record natures details. In the process of learning scientific illustration and macro photography techniques, students will become better observers of the natural world. Participants will use their photography skills to collect data for the natural history website, www.discoverlife.org, and will help document species for inventories at Highlands Biological Station and environs. Discover Life is an online encyclopedia of life, integrated with maps, field guides, species information, and other web tools. Part One: Drawing From Nature (Sunday, April 24) Illustrator Nancy Lowe will teach drawing as a means to becoming a better observer of nature's details. Students will work in both black white and color media, and learn to use light and shadow, line, form, texture, and composition. Art supplies for Part One provided by instructor. No previous drawing experience required. Part Two:Digital Camera Safari: Zooming In On Nature's Details (Sunday, April 25) Dr. John Pickering and Nancy Lowe will teach macro photography of insects, plants, lichens and other interesting details of natural history. For Part Two, bring your digital camera. See http://www.discoverlife.org/popa/camera.html to find out if your camera has good macro and for a few recommendations for cameras. In addition to good macro function, we recommend a camera with an optical zoom (a lens that physically zooms in and out) of around 10x or more. Also bring laptop, GPS unit, and cell phone, if available. Classes will be held from 9-4 each day. Course fees are $125 ($100 for members of the Highlands Biological Foundation). Housing can be provided for a small fee if needed. The Highlands Biological Station is located in Highlands, NC. You can get more info about the course by calling 828-526-2602. More information about the Highlands Biological Station and its programs can be found at www.wcu.edu/hbs. *** Artist Nancy Lowe is Outreach Coordinator for Discover Life In America, the non-profit organization coordinating the All Taxa Biodiversity Inventory (ATBI) in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A former Artist-in-Residence for the Smokies ATBI, Nancy has taught scientific illustration at Highlands Biological Station and numerous other venues around the country. John Pickering is a Professor in the Odum School of Ecology at the University of Georgia, and been involved with the Smokies ATBI and Discover Life in America since their inception. Anya Hinkle, Ph.D. Associate Director, Highlands Biological Station 265 North Sixth Street Highlands, NC 28741 tel-828-526-2602 fax-828-526-2797 www.wcu.edu/hbs ahin...@email.wcu.edu
[ECOLOG-L] Summer offerings at the Highlands Biological Station
2010 SUMMER COURSES AND WORKSHOPS AT THE HIGHLANDS BIOLOGICAL STATION The Highlands Biological Station, an inter-institutional research center of the University of North Carolina is offering its 2010 series of summer courses and workshops that can be taken for credit toward your academic program. The following list of field-based courses and workshops are focused on the diversity of organisms in the region with special emphasis on identification and collection techniques as well as principles of evolution, ecology and conservation. Scholarships, Grants-in-aid of research for graduate students, and summer internships also available. Highlands, North Carolina is located in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains, at an average elevation about 3,800 feet, and situated near the Nantahala National Forest, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Cherokee Indian Reservation, Appalachian Trail, and the Blue Ridge Parkway. For more information and to apply, visit www.wcu.edu/hbs, email h...@email.wcu.edu or call 828-526-2602. 2010 Course Schedule: TAXONOMY AND NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTHERN APPALACHIAN MAYFLIES, STONEFLIES, AND CADDISFLIES with John C. Morse (May 3 May 15) BIOLOGY OF PLETHODONTID SALAMANDERS with Stephen G. Tilley (May 17 May 29) MAMMALS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS with R. Wayne Van Devender (May 31 June 12) BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION OF BIRDS with Rob Bierregaard (June 14 June 26) INSECT BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY with James T. Costa and Lynn E. Fletcher (June 28 July 10) SPIDERS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS with Kefyn M. Catley (July 12 July 24) FLESHY FUNGI OF THE HIGHLANDS PLATEAU with Andrew S. Methven (July 26 August 7) LAND SNAIL IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP with Amy and Wayne Van Devender (May 1014) IDENTIFICATION OF SEDGES WORKSHOP with Dwayne Estes (May 2429) FERN IDENTIFICATION WORKSHOP with Dwayne Estes (August 914) MOUNTAIN BIODIVERSITY WORKSHOPFOR TEACHERS with Karen Kandl (June 21-25) Cost and Credit Information Course fee: $525 per 2-week course (**$425 for students from HBS member institutions**) Workshop fee: $275 per 1-week workshop (**$225 for students from HBS member institutions**) [Mountain Biodiversity can be taken for 2 graduate credits or 3 CEUs. Registration fee is $30] Course credit: Summer courses can be taken for 4 semester hours credit, workshops can be taken for 2 hours credit, through either UNC-Chapel Hill or Western Carolina University for an additional $85 Housing: $75/week Check website for course applications, detailed descriptions, and prerequisite requirements: http://www.wcu.edu/hbs/currentyrcourses.htm
