Highlands Center Celebrates 30 Years of Connecting Prescott to Nature

Community invited to a free anniversary celebration November 19, featuring music, food, memories, and a renewed partnership with Prescott National Forest

For three decades, the Highlands Center for Natural History has been a place where curiosity grows, connections are made, and the natural beauty of the Central Arizona Highlands comes to life.

Now, the beloved Prescott nonprofit is celebrating a major milestone: 30 years of inspiring people of all ages to explore, appreciate, and care for the natural world.

The Highlands Center invites the community to celebrate its 30th birthday on Thursday, November 19, 2026, from 4 to 7 p.m. at its beautiful campus, located at 1375 S. Walker Road in Prescott.

The free celebration will feature food, music, activities, and opportunities to reconnect with friends, share memories, and recognize the people who have helped shape the organization over the years.

But the evening is about more than looking back. It also marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter.

A Partnership Rooted in Nature

One of the evening’s most significant moments will be the signing of the Highlands Center’s renewed Special Use Permit with Prescott National Forest, continuing a longstanding partnership dedicated to connecting the community with the outdoors.

For Highlands Center Executive Director Sarah Vincent, the milestone represents both an extraordinary legacy and an opportunity to build on decades of meaningful work.

“It’s humbling to celebrate 30 years as a nonprofit while beginning another 30 years of partnership with Prescott National Forest. Some of our founders, now in their 90s, are still volunteering and guiding, a remarkable example of lifelong dedication to nature and community. There’s so much good work ahead, and we invite everyone to join us in shaping the next 30 years,” Vincent said.

That dedication has helped make the Highlands Center an important part of Prescott’s community.

Through nature education, outdoor experiences, and opportunities for discovery, the organization has encouraged generations of residents and visitors to develop deeper relationships with the landscapes surrounding them.

From children discovering the wonders of the outdoors to adults continuing their lifelong appreciation for nature, the Highlands Center’s mission has always centered on the idea that connecting with the natural world enriches lives.

Celebrating the People Behind 30 Years of Discovery

While the Highlands Center is known for its natural setting and educational opportunities, its story is equally about people.

Volunteers, founders, educators, supporters, and community partners have contributed to its growth and lasting impact.

The fact that some of the organization’s original founders continue volunteering and guiding well into their 90s speaks to the dedication that has sustained the nonprofit for three decades.

The anniversary celebration will recognize those contributions while welcoming a new generation of supporters.

Guests can enjoy an evening surrounded by the beauty of the Highlands Center, listen to music, share stories, and celebrate the friendships and experiences that have made the organization special.

The gathering is designed for longtime supporters and first-time visitors alike, offering everyone an opportunity to become part of the Highlands Center’s continuing story.

Looking Ahead to the Next 30 Years

The renewed partnership with Prescott National Forest reinforces a shared commitment to environmental education and community connection.

“The Prescott National Forest is proud to join the Highlands Center in celebrating 30 years of success providing nature education to our community in Arizona’s Central Highlands,” said Jason Williams, District Ranger of Prescott National Forest. “We look forward to the next 30 years as the Highlands Center continues to expand their capacity to provide connection to nature in our community.”

As the Highlands Center looks toward the future, its mission remains rooted in helping people discover the wonders of nature.

The organization’s 30th birthday is an opportunity to celebrate everything that has been accomplished while inviting the community to help shape what comes next.

Whether someone has participated in Highlands Center programs for years or has yet to experience its offerings, the anniversary provides a chance to discover why this organization continues to hold a special place in Prescott.

Join the Birthday Celebration

The Highlands Center’s 30th Birthday Party is free and open to the public, with advance registration encouraged.

Special VIP tickets are also available and include a private reception, onsite parking, and special food and beverages.

Because onsite parking is extremely limited, general admission guests should park in the designated lots near the Costco gas station, where complimentary shuttle transportation will be available to and from the Highlands Center. Accessible parking and other designated spaces will be available onsite.

Event Details

Thirty years of discovery, education, friendship, and community deserve a celebration. The Highlands Center invites Prescott residents to join in honoring its past and welcoming the next generation of nature lovers, explorers, and environmental stewards.

After all, the greatest gift of connecting people with nature is creating a legacy that continues to grow.