If the natural world fascinates you then enroll in our annual series of classes focused on the study of the natural world around us. Expert presenters, eager to share their love of nature, will guide you through some of the intriguing and wonderful aspects of the flora, fauna, geology, and climate of the Prescott area. You will discover the diversity of species that inhabit this place and why they are able to live and survive here. These classes are designed for any and all community members who are simply curious about the natural world. Pre-registration is required. Call the Center to register.

DATES - Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout February 2013
TIME - 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
TUITION-Series: Members $130.00; Non-members $175.00
Individual Classes: Members $20, Non-members $25
Active Docents and Naturalists Special Rate: $10 per class

  Tuesday, February 5th
Doug Hulmes, Prescott College Professor
What is Home?
Explore the meaning of Home, what it takes to learn about our home without the benefit of generational wisdom handed down to us, and what we can do to educate ourselves and others about the importance of taking care of our Homes.

  Thursday, February 7th
Bob Gessner, Mycologist
The Good, Bad and the Deadly - Fungi in Our Environment
Unlock the mysteries of mushrooms, molds and yeasts with answers to some of the most common questions about decomposers such as how humans and fungi are related, why the Highlands Center beer, wine, cheese and chocolate tasting events could not happen without fungi, and what you can find on your
own in our the Prescott area.

  Tuesday, February 12th
Sylvester Allred, NAU Biology Professor
Squirrel and Ponderosa - A Match Made In Nature
The enigmatic Abert Squirrel relies heavily on the Ponderosa Pines for shelter and food. Their dependence helps create a balanced ecosystem. Explore the finer points of this beautiful relationship.

  Thursday, February 14th
Jim McKie, Prescott National Forest Archaeologist
Perspectives on Ancient Cultures

  Tuesday, February 19th
Bonnie Pranter, local bird enthusiast
Birds: Backyard and Beyond
Bonnie will introduce our year round resident birds - where they live, how they adapt to changing seasons, their life habits, and their foraging and nesting behaviors.

  Thursday, February 21st
Scott Poppenberger, AZGF Wildlife Biologist
Javelina and the Wildland Interface

  Tuesday, February 26th
Carl Olsen, U of A Entomology Curator
Arizona Arthropods
Did you know that thirty percent of the food we eat depends on pollination from insects? The Bug Man comes up from Tucson to share some of the more
important roles insects play in nature. Plant-insect interactions, predation and parasitism, including how populations are influenced in nature, like with
fungi.

  Thursday, February 28th
Sue Smith, Native Plant Society President and Master Gardener