Adult & Community Programs
At the Highlands Center
The Highlands Center offers educational programs for adult learners throughout the year, both on and off-site, regarding the natural history of the Central Highlands of Arizona. For our complete list of upcoming events, please view our calendar.
Presentations & Workshops
Explore engaging presentations and hands-on workshops led by local experts and visiting speakers, covering everything from wildlife and astronomy to geology and literature. Click below to view upcoming events, including Community Nature Study Series, Wonder at Nightfall, and The Ancient Landscapes of Yavapai County.
Community Nature Study Series
3rd Wednesday of the month with exceptions- learn different facets of natural history in Arizona and sometimes beyond…..
Our Community Nature Study Series (CNSS) is one of our flagship Adult Programs. Through this series, there is a wide range of enriching and enlightening subjects for the learner about the Central Highlands around us and sometimes beyond. No matter the topic, you will discover new and exciting facts about the natural world.
Upcoming Presentations:
Peace in the Pines
September 10th – October 29th
We know—both intuitively and through science—that nature is profoundly healing. When we spend time in wild, quiet places, something inside us begins to soften, settle, and restore. To show up fully for our families, our communities, and ourselves, we must first give ourselves space to reconnect—with our breath, our grief, and the natural world.
That’s why Peace in the Pines takes place in the heart of the Ponderosa pine forest of Prescott National Forest, on the grounds of the Highlands Center for Natural History. Here, you can hear the wind whispering through the tall pines, feel your footsteps grounding into the earth, and notice the presence of birds, Abert’s squirrels, and other wildlife. This setting is more than a backdrop—it’s an active participant in your healing.
PLEASE NOTE: FALL SESSION DATES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Night Wings: Bats of the Highlands.
July 10th, 6:30pm – 8:30pm
Join the Highlands Center for Natural History Community Science team to learn about Prescott’s local bat species and see a monitored bat colony in our bat box. Discover how researchers use Echo Meter bat detectors to identify and record bats’ ultrasonic calls, and, with a little luck, watch these fascinating nocturnal mammals emerge at sunset in Walnut Meadow.
Wonder at Nightfall: July New Moon
July 14th, 7:30pm – 9:00pm
Experience the Highlands Center after dark during the July new moon. Join naturalists for a guided evening walk to explore the sights and sounds of the nighttime forest and discover the wonders of nature under the stars. Suitable for all ages.
Book Club
The Natural History Book Club at the Highlands Center offers adults the opportunity to engage in thoughtful discussions on contemporary natural history literature with a Southwestern focus.
Wednesday Wanderings
Our guided nature walks involve a walk on wooded trails with a local expert to learn about the Central Highlands ecoregion.
These walks are on the unpaved trails on the Highlands Center’s 80-acre campus
Hiking Spree
Hiking Spree is an annual community-wide event that takes place each fall and can be completed at the participant’s own pace. People from all over the state come to Prescott to hike 8 out of 10 trails within the Prescott National Forest and the City of Prescott.
Sense of Place in the Highlands: A Naturalist’s Journey
$650 Members | $700 Nonmembers
Join regionally renowned naturalist and educator Walt Anderson for an immersive eight-week exploration of the Central Highlands designed to deepen your understanding of the plants, animals, landscapes, and ecological relationships that make this region so remarkable.
Course Dates
- September 3, 10, 17, and 24
- October 1, 8, 15, and 22
Registration for this course is currently full. If there is enough interest on the waitlist, we will explore offering an additional course and will contact waitlisted participants with any updates.
Don’t see what you’re looking for?
Design your own program.
Have an idea for a program that isn’t listed? We can help you create a custom experience tailored to your group’s needs, schedule, and goals. Tell us what you’re looking for and we’ll follow up to start planning.
Plan Your Visit or Program
Interested in an upcoming class, group visit, or school program? Reach out here and we’ll help you find the best fit.
