Highlands Center for Natural History

The mission of the Highlands Center for Natural History ( HCNH) is to provide children and adults the opportunities to discover the wonders of nature and become wise caretakers of the land. We believe that everyone has a fundamental need to connect with the natural world, fostered through outdoor-science education based on observation and discovery of the Central Arizona Highlands. HCNH operates as a partner of Prescott National Forest on a 80 acre campus through a special use permit.

Through nature based day camps for children, family programs, school field trips, and the schoolyard habitat program HCNH programs reach over 10,000 children a year. Thanks to fundraising events, memberships and generous donations , HCNH turns no child or schools away from our programming due to financial limitations. Other offering include adult field studies programs, public Naturalist Walks, Nature Festivals, summer cultural events, and two miles of hiking trails in Prescott National Forest . In 2017 the Center opened the James Family Discovery Gardens, an eight acre fully accessible, regional botanical garden. The Gardens feature engaging Interpretive Signage, eight habitat focused Learning Circles, a fully accessible ADA compliant paved trail and an innovative and very popular Children's Forest playground. All these elements combine to attract over 42,000 visitors last year to our campus.

Testimonials

"My twin girls could not stop talking about how much fun they had at camp. Everyday they came home talking about exploring the creek, hiking, arts and crafts, game time, journal time, and adventure time. They made foot prints out of their favorite animal. The girls really enjoyed learning how to track animals. More importantly,they learned we need to respect and live with nature not destroy it. Now, when bees or spiders get in the house they pick up the spiders or bees with a stick and put them outside. My kids would say, 'mom they are important to our environment too; so they need to live with us too, but outside!' If we did not receive the scholarships my kids would not have
been able to participate in camp." Parent of a Nature Camper.

"My eight year old son came home every day from camp telling me what they learned about critters, scat, plants, identifying trees and tracking animals. He learned how we need to respect nature and take care of our environment. He enjoyed writing in his journal which I was surprised because he does not enjoy writing but when he wrote in his journal at camp he put a lot of thought and time into it." -Parent of a Nature Camper.

"Such a great place to visit with the family. We always look forward to the Events they plan, and my oldest loves their summer camp program! We like to meet at the kids play area with our play group regularly"- Facebook Visitor.

The new Discovery Gardens at the Highlands Center for Natural History are phenomenal. The Center's staff, contractors and volunteers did a wonderful job. I thoroughly enjoyed the fully accessible trail. -Discovery Gardens Visitor.