Ground Breaking Set for Friday, October 16th, 10:00 AM
PRESCOTT, AZ -September 27, 2015 – Guests at the 7th annual Highlands Center’s Wander The Wild fundraiser Sunday, September 27 were treated to a surprise announcement. Dave Irvine, Highlands Center Executive Director, shared the news that The Harold James Family Trust is the principal donor of the Highlands Center’s Discovery Gardens with their gift of $150,000. “We are so grateful for the generosity and continued support of the James Family. This major contribution bring us to $496,000, and meets the fundraising goal set for Phase I of the Gardens,” stated Irvine. Ron and Laura James added, “We are pleased to help fund the Highlands Center’s eight-acre expansion and bring more accessibility to nature for everyone in our community.”
A groundbreaking ceremony for the James Family Discovery Gardens is scheduled for Friday, October 16 at 10:00 AM at the Highlands Center site. After a brief presentation, officials will ceremoniously kick off the construction phase of the James Family Discovery Gardens project. The project’s leadership team includes Toby York (chair), Donna Putschoegl (project manager), Anita Fleming, Bob Gessner, and Sue Smith. Garden designers Steve Morgan and Nichole Trushell of Landscapes for Life, Ramada architect Robert Burford, and project contractors will be present along with local donors and officials.
In addition to the James Family, Discovery Gardens donors include: The J. W. Kieckhefer Foundation, The Margaret T. Morris Foundation, Prescott Kiwanis Club, Prescott Yavapai Indian Tribe, The Prescott Area Association of Realtors, The Hike Shack, The Arizona Community Foundation of Yavapai County, an Anonymous Family Foundation and over 100 individual donors.
Project partners include: Prescott National Forest, Landscapes for Life, Yavapai County Master Gardeners and Robert Buford, Architect.
Photo courtesy the Highlands Center; left to right: Laura James, Dave Irvine and Ron James as the news of the $150,000 gift is announced at the Wander the Wild fundraiser September 27 at Talking Rock.
