2024-10-29T14:07:41-07:00 2023-12-31 202571677 CORLISS & SOLOMON PLLC 242 CHARLOTTE ST SUITE 1 ASHEVILLE NC 28801 990 2023-01-01 560634513 Highlands Biological Foundation Inc HIGH 8285262221 PO Box 580 Highlands NC 28741 John Mitchener President 8285262221 2024-10-28 true true Todd Oldenburg P02281691 8282360206 2024-10-29 2023 2024-10-15 13:58:12Z John Mitchener PO Box 580 Highlands NC 28741 839518 false X https://highlandsbiological.org/foundation/ X 1930 NC To actively promote and support biological research and education in the Southern Appalachians 33 33 5 40 0 0 429666 486640 24005 35032 72060 207953 21418 37330 547149 766955 241946 231997 0 266511 274386 0 74051 142981 224111 651438 730494 -104289 36461 3029933 3206335 1081 1709 3028852 3204626 The mission of the Highlands Biological Foundation is to actively stimulate, promote, and support biological research and education in the Southern Appalachians. false false 519118 231997 35032 Highlands Nature Center In 2023, the Highlands Biological Foundation (HBF) made a resonant impact via the Highlands Nature Center. Two dedicated full-time Education Specialists curated an array of year-round educational programs for Highlands residents and visitors. These initiatives were rooted in experiential, place-based learning, focusing on the incredible biodiversity of the southern Appalachian region. HBF staff welcomed over 14,000 visitors to the Nature Center to engage with exhibits, interact with animal ambassadors, and partake in complimentary daily programs. Additional learning experiences included special events, enriching summer day camps, the annual Zahner Conservation Lecture Series, and other family-centered programs. HBF Education Specialists extended their influence through outreach efforts, crafting impactful programming for organizations within Macon and Jackson counties including the Literacy and Learning Center, the Gordon Center, the Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau, and more, as well as enhancing regional events. This harmonious blend of immersive education and community engagement underscores HBFs dedication to nurturing a profound connection with the natural world. 4 summer Naturalists were hired to support educational programming and nature camps through the 2023 summer season. Education In 2023, the Highlands Biological Foundation awarded $100,000 to UNC-Chapel Hills Institute for the Environment program at the Highlands Biological Station (HBS) for the third consecutive year. This program hosts a cohort of approximately 15 students at HBS each fall as they take a full slate of courses and get hands-on experience conducting research independently and as a group while learning about human impacts in the southern Appalachian region. HBF also awarded funding to Macon County Schools STEM program and Highlands Schools greenhouse project. Research In 2023, the Highlands Biological Foundation awarded Grant-in-Aid research grants to individuals conducting regional research while in residence at the Highlands Biological Station. Additionally, HBF provided funding for summer Research Assistants to assist Highlands Biological Station and UNC-Chapel Hill staff with ongoing research projects studying birds, microplastics, bats, small mammals, and more. HBF awarded $4,950 in funding to Blue Ridge Bird Observatory (formerly Southern Appalachian Raptor Research) to continue the Monitoring Avian Productivity and Survivorship (MAPS) research program at the Station for the fourth consecutive year. Finally, HBF awarded $10,500 in funding to the BatPack citizen science project which aims to monitor bat populations along southern portions of the Appalachian Trail. 519118 true true false false false false false false false true true false false false false true true false false false false false false false true false false true true false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false false true 14 0 5 true false false false false false false false false false false false false X 33 33 true false false false false true false true true false false true true true true true true true false false NC GA X X Jamie Creola 8285262221 2465 Cashiers Road Highlands NC 28741 Charlotte Muir Departing Executive Director 40.00 X 80263 0 13951 Winter Gary Interim Executive Director 40.00 X 14789 0 1286 John Mitchener President 2.00 X X 0 0 0 William Clarkson Vice-President 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Amy Patterson Treasurer 2.00 X X 0 0 0 David Martin Secretary 1.00 X X 0 0 0 Jennie Stowers Past President 5.00 X 0 0 0 Tricia Allen Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lisa Armstrong Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Linda Barlow Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jim Costa Ex-Officio HBS Director 1.00 X 0 0 0 Kimberly Coward Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lisa Dailey Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Ruth Edwards Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Monte Gaillard Board Member 2.00 X 0 0 0 Greg Gregory Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Julia Grumbles Past President 1.00 X 0 0 0 Lindy Harrison Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Tom Holmes Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Marianne Jenkins Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Cathy Jones Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Frank Langford Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Drew Lanham Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 James Landon Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Melanie Mauldin Board Member 3.00 X 0 0 0 James Milby Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Frances Oakley Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Karen Patterson Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 William Reeves Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Vernon Skiles Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Alex Smith Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Martha Stibbs Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Carol Stewart Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Jonnie Swann Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 Sarah Morgan Wingfield Board Member 1.00 X 0 0 0 95052 0 15237 false false false 98500 57970 330170 19643 486640 Nature Center Programs 611710 35032 0 0 35032 57454 0 57454 14100 14100 14100 14100 150499 150499 150499 0 0 150499 53550 98500 55390 -1840 0 -1840 42243 17173 25070 25070 766955 74202 0 206113 187313 187313 44684 44684 110289 64672 25755 19862 124711 86306 932 37473 3050 1968 357 725 18044 11629 2101 4314 18292 11755 2082 4455 2116 0 2116 0 28716 0 28716 0 21591 0 21591 0 19342 129 15213 4000 2745 2745 0 0 17102 5235 9340 2527 8072 294 7265 513 15433 6033 9400 0 7798 6435 1363 0 2952 2065 887 0 14754 14754 0 0 5435 0 5435 0 Nature Center Support 50580 50580 0 0 Program Events/Lectures 22069 22069 0 0 Professional Development 1401 285 1116 0 Dues and Subscriptions 4005 167 3656 182 730494 519118 137325 74051 55565 71070 81735 23765 966 2018 12596 500 500 483122 57373 440503 425749 2450664 2670637 3029933 3206335 1081 1709 1081 1709 X 1865811 1939037 1163041 1265589 3028852 3204626 3029933 3206335 36461 139313 X false true X true false X 0 932609 336499 442858 429666 486640 2628272 0 0 932609 336499 442858 429666 486640 2628272 442131 2186141 51624 42730 29587 54694 71554 250189 0 0 2878461 401790 0.75950 0.74760 X 0 0 0 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 235613 7175 242788 290657 -55044 235613 266297 24360 290657 204383 61914 266297 188384 15999 0 204383 0.39440 0.60560 true false 0 73600 73600 396143 44580 351563 13379 12793 586 425749 X 957241 139314 72563 211877 745364 21591 21591 766955 781466 72563 72563 708903 21591 21591 730494 Pt X, Line 2 The Foundation is exempt from federal income taxes under 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under the Code, however, income from certain activities not related to the organizations tax-exempt purpose may be subject to taxation as unrelated business income. The organization had no income from unrelated business activities in 2023 and was, therefore, not required to file Federal Form 990-T (Exempt Organization Business Income Tax Return). The organization believes that it has appropriate support for all tax positions taken, and as such, does not have any uncertain tax positions that are material to the financial statements. Pt V, Line 4 The purpose of the endowment is to generate investment income to supplement operating funds. Pt XI, Line 2d Fundraising Expenses $55,390; Cost of Goods Sold $17,173. Pt XII, Line 2d Fundraising Expenses $55,390; Cost of Goods Sold $17,173. Summer Soiree 112000 81800 30200 14459 23781 6177 Highlands on the Half Shell 40050 16700 23350 4419 4310 2244 152050 98500 53550 18878 28091 8421 55390 -1840 true WCU Highlands Biological Station 265 N Sixth Street Highlands NC 28741 566001440 54071 Support to Station UNC Chapel Hill-Inst for the Environment 104 Airport Drive Chapel Hill NC 27599 566001393 110665 Educational Programming Macon County Schools 1202 Old Murphy Rd Franklin NC 28734 566001069 10000 Educational Programming Highlands School 545 Pierson Dr Highlands NC 28741 566001069 6750 Greenhouse project 3 Research Grants 13 44684 Pt VI, Line 2 Two board members are sisters. Pt VI, Line 7a The organization has members whose rights consist of being able to vote for members of the governing body. Members do not have control over day-to-day governance decisions. However, if there would be significant changes to the organization, such as a merger or dissolution, members may vote on such issues. Pt VI, Line 11b The 990 is prepared by independent accountants, reviewed by management and presented to the Board for review and comment. Pt VI, Line 12c Annually, conflict of interest statements are required to be signed by each Board member. The statements affirm that the policy has been read & either that no conflict of interest exists or discloses any such conflict. Pt VI, Line 15a The compensation for the Executive Director is reviewed annually by the Board of Trustees. Pt VI, Line 18 Forms 1023 and 990 are available upon request. Pt VI, Line 19 Governing documents, conflict of interest policy and audited financial statements are available upon request.