Upcoming Events
The Highlands Center for Natural History works to connect everybody with the outdoors. Whether it’s through camps for children, outdoor music and theater events or educational programming it’s our goal offer experiences on and of nature for everyone.
Click on the event below that interests you to see more!
Hiking Spree
September 4th through December 6th
Hike, or attempt, 8 out of 10 of the hikes before December 6th to be entered in a raffle for a $300 gift certificate from The Hike Shack.
HCNH Concert Series: Acoustic Blues in the Round
Friday, September 24
Featuring Mike Eldred, Hans Olson and Eric Ramsey –
AZ Blues Icon, Hans Olson is joined by guitarist and luthier, Mike Eldred and 2x Blues Showdown winner, Eric Ramsey for a “concert in the round,”.
Discovery Saturday
Saturday September 25th from 9am-12pm
Everyone knows the James Family Discovery Gardens and Highlands Center trails are a wonderful place to spend your time, but on Discovery Saturdays there will be more to visit, explore, and learn! This month learn all about art in nature.
Artists in the Gardens: Dorothy Ray
September 26, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
From August through October the Highlands Center will be hosting Plein Air Artists in our Discovery Gardens on select Sundays. Watch them work and learn what plein air painting is, how plein air artists are inspired by nature and view and purchase their artwork.
Knee High Naturalist Program
Mondays from September 20th-October 18th from 9:30-11am
Wiggle like a worm, pounce like a coyote, crawl like a tarantula! You and your Knee High Naturalist will have fun learning together as you examine real plant and animal specimens, complete scavenger hunts, enjoy a snack and story, and make a craft to take home.
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. This year’s auction will be online. Check back closer to the event for package offerings and additional details.
Knee High Naturalist Program
Mondays from September 20th-October 18th from 9:30-11am
Wiggle like a worm, pounce like a coyote, crawl like a tarantula! You and your Knee High Naturalist will have fun learning together as you examine real plant and animal specimens, complete scavenger hunts, enjoy a snack and story, and make a craft to take home.
Color of Birds: The Physics Behind Different Feather Colors
Tuesday, October 5th, 9 am- 12 pm
Ryder Moreno, a recent Embry Riddle Graduate and Highlands Center Intern, will discuss the various ways that birds achieve the color patterns present on their feathers, and the physics involved in these processes. The coloration of birds’ feathers is one of their most stunning and recognizable features, from the vibrant reds and yellows of the Western Tanager to the deep blues and blacks of the Steller’s Jay.
Cultivating and Growing Culinary Mushrooms for the Health of the Earth and Her Inhabitants- With Fungi-licious! Mushroom Farm
Thursday, October 7th, 5 – 7 pm
Kathryn Crew, the owner of Fungi-licious! and the mushroom cultivator, will teach attendees the purpose of fungi, the connection of fungi to all living things, nature’s lifecycle of mushrooms, and how mushroom farmers mimic nature followed by a mushroom tasting and building a “grow your own mushrooms” kit to take home.
Artists in the Gardens: Walt Anderson
October 10, 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
From August through October the Highlands Center will be hosting Plein Air Artists in our Discovery Gardens on select Sundays. Watch them work and learn what plein air painting is, how plein air artists are inspired by nature and view and purchase their artwork.
Fall Break Camp
Highlands Nature Camps are five, fun-filled days full of exploring, playing, and creating for ages 6-12! Wondering what to do for fall break? Come to the Highlands Center for Fall Nature Camp! We will be spending all of our time safely outside exploring, completing...
Knee High Naturalist Program
Mondays from September 20th-October 18th from 9:30-11am
Wiggle like a worm, pounce like a coyote, crawl like a tarantula! You and your Knee High Naturalist will have fun learning together as you examine real plant and animal specimens, complete scavenger hunts, enjoy a snack and story, and make a craft to take home.
