WNC Nature Center

WNC Nature Center Asheville's Wildlife Park
Plan your next visit at wildwnc.org! The WNC Nature Center is Asheville's premier wildlife park!
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This page is managed by the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, a 501c3 whose mission is to support and grow the facilities and programming of the WNC Nature Center through fundraising, events, membership and other outreach initiatives.

Our curator of education and guest experience, Eli, has been featured in The Week Junior "Ask the Expert" column! His...
01/03/2025

Our curator of education and guest experience, Eli, has been featured in The Week Junior "Ask the Expert" column! His most recent question focused on how you can show some love to your pet goat. To sum up his answer: Goats, like people, are individuals, but many can be won over with back rubs and treats. Do you think Bryan, pictured here, would agree?

Look for more of Eli's answers in upcoming issues of the magazine!

Happy New Year! Here are 3 New Year’s resolution ideas from our animals that we might actually keep…🐾 Take more naps. 🐾 ...
01/01/2025

Happy New Year! Here are 3 New Year’s resolution ideas from our animals that we might actually keep…
🐾 Take more naps.
🐾 Spend more time outdoors.
🐾 Treat yourself now and then!

What are your resolutions?

Tell us how you plan to ring in the New Year. We’re all ears!
12/30/2024

Tell us how you plan to ring in the New Year. We’re all ears!

We're FELINE festive, walking in a whisker wonderland! From all of us at the WNC Nature Center, and our animals, Happy H...
12/24/2024

We're FELINE festive, walking in a whisker wonderland! From all of us at the WNC Nature Center, and our animals, Happy Holidays!

As a member of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, your membership:🐾Updates habitats and provides animal enrichment🐾...
12/23/2024

As a member of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, your membership:
🐾Updates habitats and provides animal enrichment
🐾Supports the veterinary needs of our animals
🐾Provides classroom equipment for educational experiences
🐾Connects nearly 8,000 students and seniors who can't visit the Nature Center in person to our animals through outreach education
🐾Helps us pursue valuable conservation initiatives including going green with our digital membership card

As a member, you make a real impact every day at the Nature Center! Plus, you can enjoy....
🐾Free or discounted admission to over 450 reciprocal zoos, aquariums (AZA) and science centers (ASTC Passport) nationwide.
🐾Member Benefits! Member discounts on events or programs offered before we are able to reopen! Check out our upcoming events at www.wildwnc.org/events

Become a member or renew your membership today at www.wildwnc.org/membership

This month, the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangere...
12/20/2024

This month, the the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced a proposal to list the eastern hellbender as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act.

Eastern hellbenders, like Meatloaf, breath through their skin and require cool water as found in the streams and rivers of the North Carolina mountains. Their primary threats include loss of habitat and poor water quality. When we protect hellbenders, we protect our freshwater ecosystem!

The proposal is in the 60-day public comments phase. To make your voice heard visit www.regulations.gov and search docket number FWS–R3–ES–2024–0152

Running behind on your holiday shopping?🎁 We have some WILD ideas that don't require shipping! You otter check these out...
12/18/2024

Running behind on your holiday shopping?🎁 We have some WILD ideas that don't require shipping! You otter check these out:

🐾Gift Membership
🐾Gift a Private Tour
🐾Give and get with Give!Local
🐾Shop online and pick up locally

Check out all our ideas www.wildwnc.org/gift-guide

Did you know that BINGO was originally called BEANO? That’s right; Players covered their squares with beans! Speaking ...
12/17/2024

Did you know that BINGO was originally called BEANO? That’s right; Players covered their squares with beans! Speaking of BINGO, head on over to 12 Bones on Wednesday (12/18/24) for a fun night of Family BINGO and BEANS (the yummy baked kind)! Proceeds benefit Friends of the WNC Nature Center!
12 Bones Brewing

We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved male gray wolf, Wayah, passed away. During a recent routine preventativ...
12/16/2024

We are deeply saddened to share that our beloved male gray wolf, Wayah, passed away. During a recent routine preventative care exam, Wayah was found to have an abnormal liver and apparent leg tumor. Though he was displaying no outward signs of cancer at the time, treatments were initiated immediately to ensure his comfort. Unfortunately, in less than a few weeks, the tumor progressed and he was humanely euthanized to prevent any suffering. Wayah came to the Nature Center as a young puppy almost 11 years ago. He had a gentle and playful demeanor and will be greatly missed.

Did you know that elephants aren't the only animals with excellent memory? Donkeys have incredible memories too! Resea...
12/13/2024

Did you know that elephants aren't the only animals with excellent memory? Donkeys have incredible memories too! Research has shown that they can remember places and other donkeys they met years ago!

Hmmm... We wonder if Eeyore remembers this moment from back in December '21.

Don't FUR-get; The last day to order your WILD gifts for delivery before Christmas is Dec 15. Let our Gift Guide be your...
12/12/2024

Don't FUR-get; The last day to order your WILD gifts for delivery before Christmas is Dec 15.

Let our Gift Guide be your source for thoughtful giving! www.wildwnc.org/gift-guide

Stroll with us! You and your little one can tour the WNC Nature Center while we are still closed to the Public. Little E...
12/10/2024

Stroll with us! You and your little one can tour the WNC Nature Center while we are still closed to the Public. Little Explorer Stroller Strolls are hour-and-a-half-long tours geared toward children ages 0-5 years and their caregivers. Tours include story time and a guided stroll through the park.

🎟Tickets are $10 for member adults and $15 for non-members. Kids are free.
Thurs, Jan 9 from 9:30-11 a.m.
Thurs, Jan 16 from 9:30-11 a.m.
Www.wildwnc.org/calendar

The WNC Nature Center is still closed, but you can get ✨behind the scenes✨ with a private tour. High five to that! 🎟 Go ...
12/07/2024

The WNC Nature Center is still closed, but you can get ✨behind the scenes✨ with a private tour. High five to that!
🎟 Go to our website for more info and to book a private tour https://wildwnc.org/events
🎁 Want to give a private tour as a gift? Go to our GIFT GUIDE for more info https://wildwnc.org/gift-guide/

this month at the West Asheville Tailgate Market. The WNC Nature Center Pop Up Shop will be there on Tues, Dec 10 & Tu...
12/05/2024

this month at the West Asheville Tailgate Market. The WNC Nature Center Pop Up Shop will be there on Tues, Dec 10 & Tues, Dec 17 from 3:30-5:30 p.m.

We'll see you there at 718 Haywood Rd, Asheville!

West Asheville Tailgate Market

Don't miss the opening reception of "Wild At Heart" this Friday. Nationally recognized pastel artist, Zoe F. Schumaker's...
12/03/2024

Don't miss the opening reception of "Wild At Heart" this Friday. Nationally recognized pastel artist, Zoe F. Schumaker's series features wildlife paintings of animals that she observed at the WNC Nature Center! Tell us in the comments if you know which Nature Center animals are featured here!

We are honored that she is donating 50% of sales from these paintings to the Nature Center.

Where: Asheville Gallery of Art, 82 Patton Ave
When: Friday, Dec 6 from 5-7:30 p.m. (opening reception). The show continues through the end of December.

Paintings in this post:
First Snow, Pastel,20x16
The Princess and the Jester, Pastel,18x18

It’s Giving YOU-sday! We’re howling with gratitude for YOU, our incredible supporters! Thanks to your generosity, we can...
12/03/2024

It’s Giving YOU-sday!

We’re howling with gratitude for YOU, our incredible supporters! Thanks to your generosity, we can care for our amazing animal ambassadors and connect our community to the wonders of the wildlife of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Our gift to YOU: a special moment with gray wolves Nova and Wayah, reminding us all why we do what we do!

Here's why we're so thankful:

YOU make it possible to provide top-notch care to our animals.
YOU help us create unforgettable educational experiences for children and families.
YOU ensure our natural world remains a source of wonder and learning for generations to come.

Keep the magic alive. Consider donating to us through the Mountain Xpress Give!Local campaign.

https://givelocalguide.org/nonprofits/friends-of-the-wnc-nature-center/

From all of us (two-legged and four-legged) at the WNC Nature Center—thank YOU for being part of our pack!

Address

75 Gashes Creek Road
Asheville, NC
28805

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Videos

With Thanksgiving around the corner, Tufts is busy, busy making the biscuits! #wncnaturecenter #wildwnc #keepashevillewild #thanksgiving #bobcat

We've got what you're searching for.... fun summer evenings at Brews & Bears! Get your tickets for June 14, July 12 or August 9 on our website www.wildwnc.org/brews-and-bears

It's Bear Awareness Week! Our friends at BearWise have an important message: Never feed or approach bears! #wildwnc #keepashevillewild #wncnaturecenter #bearawarenessweek #blackbears

Bamboo is just one of those foods that's hard to eat quietly, as red panda Leafa demonstrates! #wncnaturecenter #wildwnc #keepashevillewild #redpanda

Our friends at BearWise want you to know what to do if you see a bear. #bearwise #keepashevillewild #wildwnc #wncnaturecenter

We’ve got some eggs-clusive footage of Elvis enjoying his Easter egg enrichment! #keepashevillewild #wncnaturecenter #wildwnc #skunk

Happy Presidents Day! Our Barn & Aviary Keeper, Ben, has some fun facts to share about U.S. Presidents and their White House pets! #wildwnc #keepashevillewild #wncnaturecenter #PresidentsDay #whitehousepets

This Groundhog Day, how about we change things up a bit? If our gray wolf, Wayah, captures the snowflake, then spring is near!🌷If he misses, it’ll be six more weeks of winter.❄️Could this become a thing? #wildwnc #wncnaturecenter #keepashevillewild #animalenrichment

No extravagant gifts for our bobcats, Tufts and Kohana. They're happy with a pile of dirt to play in!

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