Highlands Center for Natural History
The Highlands Center for Natural History is a regional hub for lifelong learning through outdoor education.
We nurture a meaningful sense of place and foster an appreciation for and knowledge of the Central Arizona Highlands. The development of both onsite and offsite outdoor education programs and partnerships provides opportunities for our community to understand the connections between humanity and the natural world, inspiring all to live in a respectful and sustainable way. We believe that everyone has a fundamental need to connect with the natural world.
Our Mission and Core Values
The Center is guided by the following five core values in achieving its mission and vision:
The Center is guided by the following five core values in achieving its mission and vision:
Originally the Community Nature Center, an organization that hosted programs using a 20-acre natural site in the Prescott Unified School District, the Highlands Center for Natural History has served the residents of Central Arizona for nearly three decades. The Highlands Center was formed in 1996 and assumed the mission of the original organization. Since that time the Highlands Center has grown to offer an 80-acre campus in the Prescott National Forest near Lynx Lake, has built remarkable facilities, and now offers community events and outdoor educational programs and opportunities year-round.
We are able to accomplish all of this with the continued support of donors, members, volunteers, and community partners. The Center is operated under a special use permit with Prescott National Forest.
Accredited Arboretum with ArbNet
At the heart of our site lies the James Family Discovery Gardens, a thoughtfully designed, five-acre arboretum that highlights the rich botanical diversity of the Central Highlands of Arizona. These gardens serve as a living showcase of the region’s major plant communities—from the dense chaparral slopes of scrub oak and manzanita to the cooling shade of riparian willows, the iconic Ponderosa pine woodlands, and the transitional zones of pinyon pine, alligator juniper, and grassland species such as prickly pear and banana yucca.
This immersive landscape invites visitors of all ages and backgrounds to engage with the wonders of our native flora. Fully ADA accessible, the James Family Discovery Gardens are lined with interpretive signage and thoughtfully curated pathways that encourage exploration, discovery, reflection, wonder, and connection to the natural world.
Achieving ArbNet Level I Arboretum Accreditation is a meaningful milestone for us. It affirms our commitment to stewarding and celebrating the biodiversity of our unique ecoregion, and it allows us to deepen our mission: to help children and adults discover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land. This recognition strengthens our ability to engage the public in understanding the ecological importance of native trees and plants while fostering a culture of awareness throughout our community.
Watch Chats with our Founders
The Highlands Center for Natural History Chat with Tom Benson
The Highlands Center for Natural History Chat with Joan Dukes
The Highlands Center chat with Faith Roelofs
Celebrating 25 Years! Chat with Education Volunteers Mary Krzyik and Jane Kowalewski
