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 2019. 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 taking the torch but all of our historic Hiking Spree maps will remain available online for download.
Winter Luminaria
Bundle up and enjoy your favorite warm beverage while meandering the 5 acre Discovery Gardens glow with lantern light.
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 by the artists and artisans to support the Highlands Center’s nature based education programs.
Youth & Family Nature Programs
Family Nature Festivals
Each season offers something special to celebrate, and there is no better place to celebrate than here at the Highlands Center!
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
Spend a morning exploring 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
Each season offers something special to celebrate, and there is no better place to celebrate than here at the Highlands Center!
Nature Art Classes
Art classes at the Highlands center include our Colored Pencil Drawing series taught by Dianne Iverson. The next session of this 6 class series will be Spring 2021.
Trips and Tours
Our adult field trips are a great way to travel a little further afield and experience natural history first-hand with friends and family. Whether it’s a field trip with Highlands Center staff to a local nature preserve or a guided tour or presentation at a regional science or nature-related organization, we’re sure you will enjoy these special outings offered in the Spring and Fall.
Naturalist Certification
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. We are currently redesigning our Naturalist Certification check back for updates.
Highlands Happy Hours
Happy Hour is an educational adult program where participants can participant in various food and drink tastings while discovering the science and history behind what they are trying! Happy hours are offered several evenings a year and take place in the Kieckhefer classroom at the Highland Center’s main campus.