Celebrating 25 Years of the Highlands Center for Natural History
2022 marks 25 years of the Highlands Center for Natural History helping children and adults discover the wonder of nature through science-based education and exploration of the Central Highlands in and around Prescott, Arizona. Throughout 2022, we will be sharing our roots as we celebrate our past and share our vision a bright future.
Chats with our founders
Highlands Center Founding Women Featured in Prescott Woman Magazine
Support our mission into the future
Your memberships, donations and volunteerism will help sustain and maintain the Highlands Center and ensure that we achieve our mission for generations to come.
Support our mission into the future
Your memberships, donations and volunteerism will help sustain and maintain the Highlands Center and ensure that we achieve our mission for generations to come.
Schedule of Events
Founders’ Day
Wednesday, April 27 , 4 – 6 pm
A celebration of the individuals whose vision and collaboration were instrumental in the creation and growth of the Highlands Center.
Key Supporters Celebration
Thursday, May 26, 4 – 6 pm
An outdoor party thanking the donors, event sponsors, and partners whose support helped the center grow and sustains the Center now and into the future.
Discovery Saturday
Open to the Public
Saturday, May 28, 9 am – 12 pm
Join the Highlands Center staff and volunteers for a fun and engaging Discovery Saturday 25 years in the making.
25th Year Annual Appeal
Month of June
The generous support from our community has allowed the Highlands Center to Grow and expand its reach and impact. Donations in the month of June will be matched dollar for dollar up to $25,000 by an anonymous donor.e.
Members Only Picnic
Sunday, July 31
Member support enables the Highlands Center to serve thousands of children through our field trips and camps each year. Join us at the members only picnic to come together as we thank you for helping us serve the community.
Wander the Wild :Open to the Public
September 12 – 17 On-Line Auction
Sunday, September 18 Live Auction
Our 14th annual signature fundraiser features an online and live auction of local, regional, national, and international destinations, educational experiences, and nature-inspired art by local artists. Proceeds directly support our youth and intergenerational educational programming.
Volunteer Recognition Party
Tuesday, October 25
For 25 years volunteers have enhanced and extended our capacity to provide quality, affordable, educational programs and maintain our scenic grounds.
Adult Day Camp
October 18-20
HC Founders, Board of Directors, Committee members, and other key volunteers will be invited to experience an adult version of our children’s nature camps and the expertise of our educational staff.
Holiday Party
Thursday, December 8
As the Highlands Center wraps up its Celebrate 25 Years campaign, we extend our gratitude and appreciation to our dedicated and hard working Staff, Board of Directors, and Committee members for their time, talent and treasure.
25+ Years of Highlands Center History
Community Nature Center Opens
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.
1973Community Nature Center Opens
Community Nature Center Closes
The Community Nature Center is closed for a short time due to lack fo funding from the Prescott Unified School district.
1990Community Nature Center Closes
Community Nature Center Reopens
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.
1991Community Nature Center Reopens
Exploring Growth
In 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.
1994Exploring Growth
Highlands Center for Natural History files for Incorporation
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.
September 18, 1995Highlands Center for Natural History files for Incorporation
Searching for a Home
Several sites were taken into consideration during this time to be the new home for the Highlands Center.
1996Searching for a Home
An Official 501-c3
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.
1996An Official 501-c3
A New Mission
The Highlands Center's mission statement was adopted: to help children and adults dsicover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land. Everyone has a fundamental need to connect with the natural world. This connection is fostered by the Highlands Center through outdoor programs based on observation and discovery of the Central Arizona Highlands.
March 22, 1997A New Mission
Special Use Submitted
The special use permit for the Lynx Creek site was submitted to the Prescott National Forest along with a conceptual site plan.
February 12, 1997Special Use Submitted
Site use Granted
The Prescott National Forest announces their pre-decision to grant the site now occupied from Walker Road to Lynx Creek.
February 6, 1998Site use Granted
Planning and Fundraising Begins
Planning and fundraising for facilities on the Lynx Creek site begin.
1999Planning and Fundraising Begins
FUN! Nature Camps
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.
2001FUN! Nature Camps
Knee High Naturalists
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.
2003Knee High Naturalists
A Stage to Call Home
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.
2004A Stage to Call Home
Bringing Nature into Schools and Students Outside
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.
2004Bringing Nature into Schools and Students Outside
Growing Native
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.
May 2006Growing Native
A Center for Learning
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.
2007A Center for Learning
A New Era
Dave Irvine becomes the Executive Director upon the retirement of Nichole Trushell.
January, 2008A New Era
Take a Hike!
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.
Fall 2008Take a Hike!
Wander the Wild Begins!
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.
Sept 2009Wander the Wild Begins!
Highlighting the Highlands
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.
2011Highlighting the Highlands
Shakespeare's Midsummer Magic
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.
June 2014Shakespeare's Midsummer Magic
Discovery Gardens Groundbreaking
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.
October 2015Discovery Gardens Groundbreaking
Two times the fun
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.
2018Two times the fun
Accessibility from Car to Trail
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.
December 2018Accessibility from Car to Trail
New Restroom for All
The new restroom in the Discovery Gardens is completed, providing convenient facilities and changing stations in close proximity to the children's play area, the Ramada and those walking the winding paver trails.
August 2020New Restroom for All
Art in Nature and Nature in Art
The first annual Prescott Plein Air Art Festival is held in partnership with the City of Prescott. The festival showcases the works of 13 professional plein air artists as they capture the magnificence of Prescott's landscape, and historic and architectural beauty.
October 2020
