A Highlands Lecture on Why the Bears Need Bridges Too

By Jon Tharp, Broker  ·  July 23, 2026

A wildlife biologist is coming to Highlands next week to make the case that black bears, elk, and salamanders all need the same thing we do on a mountain road: a safe way across.

On Thursday, July 30, the Highlands Biological Foundation hosts Liz Hillard, senior wildlife biologist for the Appalachian region at Wildlands Network, for a talk titled "Connecting Appalachia: Wildlife Connectivity, Corridors, and Road Crossings." It is part of the long-running Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, and like every talk in the series, it is free. The lecture starts at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Nature Center at 930 Horse Cove Road, up on the plateau in Macon County.

If you are coming from the north, Highlands is about 65 miles southwest of Asheville, a 90-minute to two-hour drive on US-64 through Cashiers. From Franklin it is a shorter climb, roughly 20 miles and 30 to 40 minutes up the mountain. Either way you gain a lot of elevation, and on a July evening the cooler air at 4,000 feet is its own reason to make the trip.

Why do wildlife corridors matter in these mountains?

As roads and new development spread across the region, natural habitats get carved into smaller and smaller pieces. That is the core problem Hillard studies. When a bear or a bobcat cannot safely move between two patches of forest, the whole population that depends on that connection gets weaker over time.

Her talk covers the range of solutions, from small local road-crossing projects to large-scale corridor planning that spans state lines. The idea is that crossing structures, connected habitat, and landscape-scale strategy work together. Done well, they reduce barriers to animal movement and make roads safer for drivers while supporting wildlife for the long haul.

Anyone who has driven US-64 or US-441 at dusk knows the driver-safety part is not abstract. A deer or a bear in the road is a real hazard here, and well-placed crossings are one of the few things proven to bring those collisions down.

What is the Zahner Lecture Series?

The Zahner Conservation Lecture Series is a summer tradition in Highlands, and it has been for years. The Highlands Biological Foundation brings in scientists, conservationists, and naturalists to talk about the natural world, and the whole thing is built for the community rather than for a room full of specialists.

Lectures run on Thursday evenings at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Nature Center through the summer. Admission is free every week. You can see the full schedule at highlandsbiological.org/zahner if you want to plan around a few of them.

The Nature Center itself is worth the visit even outside of lecture night. It is tied to the Highlands Biological Station and Western Carolina University, and it offers exhibits, a botanical garden, and trails on one of the cooler, greener corners of the region.

Why does this matter for people who live here?

Connectivity is one of those topics that sounds academic until you realize it shapes daily life in Western North Carolina. The wildlife people move here for, the bears in the backyard, the elk near Cataloochee, the trout in the creeks, all depend on land staying connected across town lines and county lines.

That makes talks like this one a useful window into how the region grows. Development is not going to stop in places like Highlands, Cashiers, and Franklin. The question is whether it happens in a way that leaves room for the natural world people came here to be near. Understanding corridors is a good first step, and a free Thursday-evening lecture is an easy way in.

Bring a curious friend, get there a little early, and give yourself time for the drive up and back.

If a story like this has you picturing what life closer to these mountains could look like, Jon Tharp is always glad to talk it through.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

When and where is the Highlands wildlife connectivity lecture?

The lecture takes place Thursday, July 30 at 6 p.m. at the Highlands Nature Center, located at 930 Horse Cove Road in Highlands, North Carolina. It is part of the Highlands Biological Foundation's Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, which runs on Thursday evenings through the summer. Admission is free and the event is open to everyone, no registration required. The featured speaker is Liz Hillard, senior wildlife biologist for the Appalachian region at Wildlands Network. She will present "Connecting Appalachia: Wildlife Connectivity, Corridors, and Road Crossings." You can view the full series schedule at highlandsbiological.org/zahner.

What are wildlife corridors and why do they matter in Western North Carolina?

Wildlife corridors are connected stretches of habitat that let animals move safely between larger natural areas to find food, mates, and seasonal range. In Western North Carolina, where black bears, elk, deer, and countless smaller species share the landscape with growing towns and busy highways, roads and development can slice those habitats into isolated pieces. That fragmentation makes it harder for populations to stay healthy and genetically diverse. Corridors and wildlife crossing structures, like underpasses or overpasses, reconnect those pieces. They also cut down on animal-vehicle collisions, which improves driver safety on mountain roads.

Is the Highlands Nature Center worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you enjoy the outdoors or are traveling with family. The Highlands Nature Center sits on Horse Cove Road and is part of the Highlands Biological Station, a research and education hub tied to Western Carolina University. It offers exhibits on regional plants and animals, a botanical garden, walking trails, and a full calendar of talks and programs like the Zahner series. The setting on the Highlands plateau, one of the higher and cooler spots in the region, makes it a pleasant stop in summer. Most public programs and admission to the center itself are free.

How far is Highlands NC from Asheville?

Highlands sits about 65 miles southwest of Asheville, roughly a 90-minute to two-hour drive depending on the route and the season. Most travelers take US-64 west through Cashiers, a winding mountain road with real scenery but slower going than an interstate. From Franklin, Highlands is about 20 miles up US-64, a climb of roughly 30 to 40 minutes onto the plateau. The elevation change is noticeable, with Highlands sitting above 4,000 feet, so summer temperatures there run cooler than in the valleys. Plan for mountain driving and give yourself extra time on busy weekends.