HIGHLANDS CENTER FOR NATURAL HISTORY
It’s a sunny summer morning at the Highlands Center for Natural History in Prescott. Across the forest, the songs of birds are ringing out, mingling with the sounds of children laughing and playing along the trails. Our popular Highlands Nature Camps are in full-swing this time of year, providing children preschool through middle school with authentic, nature-based experiences.
Kids spend the entire week outdoors learning about plants and animals, doing activities and crafts, making friends and playing in Lynx Creek.
Stepping into the James Family Discovery Gardens, I see an older couple strolling leisurely down the paved path, pausing to read about the grassland ecosystems of the Arizona Central Highlands. Did you know there was once an American cheetah that preyed on pronghorn, and that’s the reason for their amazing speed?
The Discovery Gardens is the only accessible, native botanical garden of its kind in the Prescott area, and celebrates the incredible biological diversity of this unique region. Throughout the summer, special events and programs are held in the garden’s ramada, including the new Second Sunday monthly events. Check the website for details. The Discovery Gardens is also a beautiful and unique place for a special event or wedding.
Listen … there’s applause coming from the James Family Learning Center! It’s for the natural history presenter and her fascinating class on Plant Physiology. Did you know that plants and insects have co-evolved for hundreds of millions of years? Their relationships are more complex than we ever thought possible.
Our Natural History classes for adults are great and are offered once a month March through November, in addition to our January through February 10-part Community Nature Study Series.
Oh, look, I see the staff is setting up for Shakespeare in the Pines, our annual fundraiser. Live theater presenting Shakespeare classics — complete with hors d’oeuvres and beverages in a gorgeous outdoor setting. Who could ask for more? (Tickets sell fast for these popular performances, so reserve yours today – “Twelfth Night” will be presented June 15-16 and June 22-23).
Now, that’s what I call summer! Visit highlandscenter.org for more information.
