Center for the Environment at Catawba College

The Center for the Environment and the Department of Environment & Sustainability will be hosting exciting Summer Explorations for students in Grades 3-8. Please share and learn more at https://www.catawba.edu/explorations/

Please share this amazing opportunity with High School Students who would enjoy Exploring the Science of Microplastics! For more information, visit: https://www.catawba.edu/explorations/

Check out this great summer opportunity for Rising Junior and Senior High School Students who have an interest in Genomics research.
To learn more, visit https://www.catawba.edu/explorations/

Join us today for two great events here on campus! Take a break from studying and enjoy some fresh air and the beauty of the great outdoors. First, we have an open canoe, from 1-4 pm on Lake Baranski in the preserve, stop by whenever and for however long you would like🛶! Also, a BioBlitz competition to have fun and see who can find the most critters🦉! Meet behind the Center for the Environment at 6:30 pm.🦌

Spring Blooms at the Center🌸🌺🪻🌼

The spring season is putting on a show. Our Center for the Environment gardens are bursting with blooms right now, offering a chance to see native flowers up close and the pollinators they support. Did you know that the gardens around the center are laid out to display the main geographic regions of North Carolina. The front of the center is comprised of mountainous species, the south side of the building displays piedmont plants, and the back of the building holds vegetation from the coastal plains! Stop by and enjoy the colors of the season before it’s too late.

Wildlife Wednesday: Coolest dude on campus 🦦

Check out these resident otters found in the Fred Stanback Ecological Preserve, thriving in clean, connected waterways. River otters are opportunistic hunters, feeding on fish, crayfish, frogs, and even small turtles, and their sensitive whiskers help them locate prey in murky water.

📸: Austin Wise ‘26

Our Wildlife Society student chapter recently competed at the Southeastern Wildlife Conclave hosted by the University of Florida, joining 19 schools and 400 participants for a weekend of competition, collaboration, and hands-on learning. In addition to the events, students explored the region through a variety of field trips led by wildlife professionals, gaining valuable insight into real-world conservation and natural resource management.🐊🦇

We’re proud to recognize several individual achievements:
Austin Wise placed 2nd in Wildlife Photography and 3rd in Field Photography, Kaden Reynolds placed 2nd in Rifle, and Nate Bruce placed 3rd in Archery.👏

It was a great weekend representing our program and connecting with fellow wildlife students from across the Southeast. We’re especially grateful to Dr. Dollar for organizing and supporting this trip. His thoughtful guidance and dedication made this unforgettable experience possible for all of us.