Field groups from institutional members have priority over those from non-member institutions in the assignment of research space and housing. The Nature Center, housed in the Clark Foreman Museum Building, is maintained by the Station as a public educational facility that emphasizes the biological, ecological, geological, and archeological heritage of the southern mountains. In addition to its displays and exhibits, the Center sponsors nature study classes for children and natural history programs for adults during the summer months. A wide variety of lectures, films, guided walks, and field studies are offered each summer by the Center and area naturalists. The Botanical Garden, bordering Lake Ravenel on land originally provided by the Clark Foreman family, contains 450 labeled specimens of plants native to the Southern Appalachians.
Several trails lead visitors to all sections of the Garden.
The Garden is open to the public throughout the year.