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 naturalistsadult 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 at the Highlands Center

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.

People on the trails for our Hiking Spree

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.

Discovery Gardens decorated with luminarias

Winter Luminaria

Bundle up and enjoy your favorite warm beverage while meandering the 5 acre Discovery Gardens glow with lantern light.

Shoppers at the Highlands Holiday Bazaar

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

People on the trails for our Hiking Spree

Family Nature Festivals

Each season offers something special to celebrate, and there is no better place to celebrate than here at the Highlands Center! 

Memberships help give scholarships for camps

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).

Jessie reading a book to Knee High Naturalists

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

Natural History Classes Community Nature Study Series

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!

Diane Iverson Colored Pencil Drawing Series

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.

People on the trails for our Hiking Spree

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.

Outdoor Natural History Class-Galls

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.

Jessie reading a book to Knee High Naturalists

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.

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