25+ Years of Highlands Center History
The Highlands Center for Natural History, surrounded by beautiful pine forest, is the perfect venue for your special event. Whether considering our tranquil and well-equipped campus for a wedding, corporate retreat, party or memorial, we will be delighted to accommodate you and your guests.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
Springing from the vision of Prescott Unified School District superintendent Dr. Ken Walker, the Community Nature Center of Prescott is created on Williamson Valley Road next to the new Granite Mountain Middle School. Dr. Henry Dahlberg is the project director.
Community Nature Center Opens
(1973)
Community Nature Center Closes
(1990)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
The Community Nature Center is closed for a short time due to lack fo funding from the Prescott Unified School district.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
CNC reopened with it’s new director, Nichole Trushell and a group of volunteers. At the time 8 schools were being served with educational programming.
Community Nature Center Reopens
(1991)
Exploring Growth
(1994)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
n order to expand it’s operations, discussions began on the feasibility of forming a new organization and moving to a larger site. During this time classes were expanded from Prescott to Chino Valley, Prescott Valley and Dewey School districts.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
On September 18, 1995, the articles of incorporation for the Highlands Center for Natural History were filed with Arizona and HCNH became an official non-profit organization. The Highlands Center was now a separate entity from the Community Nature Center.
Highlands Center for Natural History files for Incorporation
(September 18, 1995)
Searching for a Home
(1996)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
Several sites were taken into consideration during this time to be the new home for the Highlands Center.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
The IRS grants the Highlands Center official 501c3 status as a non-profit, allowing individuals, businesses and corporations to receive a tax deduction for their contributions.
An Official 501-c3
(1996)
Special Use Submitted
(February 12, 1997)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
The special use permit for the Lynx Creek site was submitted to the Prescott National Forest along with a conceptual site plan.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
The Highlands Center’s mission statement was adopted: to help children and adults discover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land.
A New Mission
(March 22, 1997)
Site use Granted
(February 6, 1998)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
The Prescott National Forest announces their pre-decision to grant the site now occupied from Walker Road to Lynx Creek.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
Under the direction of Fiona Reid the Highlands Center introduces its summer nature camp which brought children onto the Lynx Creek site for an outdoor nature day camp experience.
FUN! Nature Camps
(2001)
Knee High Naturalists
(2003)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
In 2003, the Coyote Walking program begins, bringing preschool aged children outside into nature for educational programming with their parents. In April 2007, the program was reimagined and Knee High Naturalists was implemented at the Lynx Creek site.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
Hiking trails, the Kiwanis Amphitheater, and restrooms are completed at the Lynx Creek site, wrapping up Phases I and II of construction. Classes begin using the new facilities and trails and the prior Williamson Valley site is vacated. The restrooms feature natural history themed hand-painted tiles created by students.
A Stage to Call Home
(2004)
Bringing Nature into Schools and Students Outside
(2004)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
In August of 2004, the Highlands Center begins it’s first Schoolyard Habitat project at Coyote Springs Elementary School in Prescott Valley. This three year partnership creates an outdoor, nature learning space on the school grounds and leaves a school with the tools, lessons and outdoor space to continue nature learning into the future.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
In May of 2006, the Highlands Center launches the Grow Native! Plant Sale. The sale highlights the benefits of using native and regionally-adapted plant species for home landscaping. It continues with a spring and fall version today.
Growing Native
(May 2006)
A Center for Learning
(2007)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
The James Learning Center is completed and opens at the Lynx Creek site, offering a large classroom, offices, a library, a kitchen, and a bookstore. It is recognized as the first ever building in Yavapai County to earn a Gold rating from the U.S. Green Council LEED program.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
An “Equipoise” is set to be created by H. Johnson in Nichole’s honor. Equipoise means to stay in balance and to serve as a counterweight.
“Equipoise”
(2007)
A New Era
(2007)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
Dave Irvine becomes the Executive Director upon the retirement of Nichole Trushell.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
CNC reopened with it’s new director, Nichole Trushell and a group of volunteers. At the time 8 schools were being served with educational programming.
1600
(1991)
Take a Hike!
(Fall 2008)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
The annual Hiking Spree is introduced to encourage people of all ages to get outdoors and “Take a Hike!” Participants who attempt eight or more hikes are eligible for a raffle and may purchase a medallion to commemorate their accomplishments.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
To fund it’s ever increasing educational offerings, the Highlands Center begins an annual live auction and dinner, Wander the Wild, at Juniper Well Ranch. Proceeds directly funded School Field Trips by local elementary schools to the Highlands Center. The auction has grown over time into a a hybrid online and live event which features local, regional, national and international experiences and destinations, educational opportunities, and nature-inspired art by local artists.
Wander the Wild Begins!
(Sept 2009)
Highlighting the Highlands
(2011)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
Planning begins on the design and creation of an ADA accessible native garden, the Discovery Gardens, to bring the wonders of the Central Highlands to a wider audience, including youngsters, seniors, and those with mobility challenges.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
The first presentation of Shakespeare in the Pines occurs at the Highlands Center’s amphitheater with two performances of A Midsummer Night’s Dream by LAARK Productions. Shakespeare performances have become an annual event in partnership with LAARK Productions who creatively adapt the selected plays to reflect unique aspects of the location in the pines.
Shakespeare’s Midsummer Magic
(1991)
Discovery Gardens Groundbreaking
(October 2015)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
Key shareholders – from the Prescott National Forest, to civic leaders, designers, and donors – join Dave Irvine, HC Executive Director, as shovels hit the ground and the vision of the Discovery Gardens begins to take physical form.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
Planning and fundraising for facilities on the Lynx Creek site begin.
Planning and Fundraising Begins
(1999)
Two times the fun
(2018)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
Two additional school field trip programs are introduced: Rock Detectives for third grade students, and the Senses Field Trip is introduced for kindergarten students. Over 2000 kindergarten through 5th grade students are served annually during the school year.
City Tavern
October 5th, 2020
In December of 2018, the Highlands Center’s parking lot paving project is completed, creating an accessible experience from the car to the Learning Center, the Amphitheater, and through the five acre Discovery Gardens.
Accessibility from Car to Trail
(December 2018)
A New Beginning
(2024)
John Hancock Barbershop
November 24th, 2014
Sarah Vincent becomes the third HCNH Executive Director as Dave Irvine passes the torch to her.
Highlands Center for Natural History
The Highlands Center for Natural History is a regional hub for lifelong learning through outdoor education.
We nurture a meaningful sense of place and foster an appreciation for and knowledge of the Central Arizona Highlands. The development of both onsite and offsite outdoor education programs and partnerships provides opportunities for our community to understand the connections between humanity and the natural world, inspiring all to live in a respectful and sustainable way. We believe that everyone has a fundamental need to connect with the natural world.
