Events at The Highlands Center
The Highlands Center offers special events throughout the year. Below you will find information about all of the fun events we have planned for 2023. Educational programming also occurs year round. We offer children’s nature camps, knee high naturalists, adult art classes, adult trips and tours, naturalist certification classes, Insights to the Outdoors, and our Community Nature Study Series.
You may also browse through our calendar for a full list of upcoming events and educational programs.
Signature Events
Wander the Wild
The Highlands Center for Natural History’s flagship fundraising auction, Wander the Wild, directly supports our youth, outdoor education programming. Each year we have local, regional and international opportunities, with emphasized local outdoor experiences and services.
Shakespeare in the Pines
Presented in the beautiful outdoor Kiwanis Amphitheater, the Highlands Center for Natural History and Laark Productions present captivating, humorous and entertaining productions of Shakespeare in support of nature based education programs.
Prescott Plein Air Art Festival
The Prescott Plein Air Art Festival brings artists and art enthusiasts alike into the outdoors of Prescott. Plein Air artists paint outdoors, capturing the spirit and essence of a landscape by incorporating natural light, color, and movement into their art.
Hiking Spree
For over a decade the Highlands Center for Natural History has encouraged people of all ages to get out and explore the region through its annual hiking spree. Yavapai Trails has taken the torch but all of our historic Hiking Spree maps will remain available online for download.
Holiday Bazaar
Our annual showcase of local artists and artisans whose products are nature themed, inspired or sourced. 20% of sales are donated to the center by the artists and artisans to support the Highlands Center’s nature based education programs.
Youth & Family Nature Programs
Family Nature Festivals
Whether you’re decorating a pumpkin at Halloween Happening, tasting insects at Arthropalooza (yes, really!), or learning about the Abert’s squirrel or dragonflies at Discovery Saturday, our family events have something fun for the whole crew!
Youth Nature Camps
Discovering the mysteries of the animals, plants, and land of the highlands often inspires a new love and understanding of nature among campers. Our nature day camps are for ages 4-13 (summer) or 6-12 (spring and fall).
Knee High Naturalists
Explore the Prescott National Forest with your 3-5 yr old. Open their eyes to the ‘little big world’ of the Central Highlands.
Adult Programs
Community Nature Study Series
Learn about pertinent scientific topics from local experts through our regular Community Nature Study Series presentations. Connect with others and leave with a greater understanding of our natural world.
Nature Art Classes
Art classes at the Highlands center include our Colored Pencil Drawing series taught by Dianne Iverson. The next session of this class series will be Summer 2023.
Guided Walks
Take a walk on the wooded trails of the Highlands Center to learn more about Central Highlands flora, fauna, geology and more. These walks are free and occur regularly throughout the year. Sign up on our website!
Arizona Master Naturalist Certification Course
This course is designed to build ecological literacy, stewardship, naturalist skills, and an emotional connection to nature through environmental education, natural history, citizen science, and the arts and humanities. Course begins in January, info sessions coming in October!
