More Than A Zoo: Jon Hettrick

More Than A Zoo: Highlighting the personal connections and the broader impact of the WNC Nature Center in its 100th year

Each month during our centennial year, we’ll be interviewing people who have had an impact on the Nature Center. This month’s Q&A is with Jon Hettrick. Jon is a former board member of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center and also served for several years as the Friends’ Interim Executive Director.

Meet Jon Hettrick

What was your role at the Nature Center? I was a member of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center Board of Directors. In 2013, there was a leadership transition and I was asked to be the interim Executive Director of the Friends. There wasn’t a determination of how long I would be in this role. Two weeks? Two months? I ended up leading the organization for two years!

A big part of my job was to support the Friends Board of Directors, help lead the search for the next Executive Director, and to keep the ship steady. During that time, the Board was also able to accomplish a lot of things still visible today, like securing funding and construction of Arachnid playground and picnic pavilion, the Red Wolf habitat extension, the construction of the main events plaza, and the expansion of the honorary bench program. I think most importantly, I was able to be a part of the negotiations to solidify the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the Nature Center (City of Asheville) and the Friends organization.

Personal Connection

What keeps you interested in what’s going on at the Nature Center?

I’ve always valued education and the opportunity the Nature Center provides for local children – and adults, too! My daughter grew up going to the summer programs. I just recently gave away many, many years of summer camp t-shirts – such great memories!

I also loved going up to the Nature Center on days when there were school field trips. It’s chaos, but it’s those days you truly see the impact the Nature Center can have. So many of these kids do not have the opportunity to go elsewhere. We are the best accessible “zoo” option locally. It’s important for these kids to learn about the native animals, like the hellbender. They learn about lions and tigers in school, but do they learn about the local native species?

Can you share a favorite memory or experience at the Nature Center that stands out to you?

During my time with the Friends and for a few years following, I installed the engraved bricks that were sold as tributes as part of the Friends fundraising program. It was fun. I would take the opportunity to call the people who purchased bricks and let them know that their brick was installed. The best part was taking them through the park to see their brick.

What is the greatest reward of your involvement with the Nature Center?

When we successfully recruited and hired the next Friends Executive Director in 2015. I knew we had accomplished a lot along the way, and the Board and I had a great time together in the process.

Mission & Impact

In your view, how does the WNC Nature Center go beyond being just a zoo?

The Nature Center has done just that, and it has consistently worked towards being more than a zoo through events and programs that truly showcase how special a place it is. From Brews & Bears, to private events, Running of the Goats, after-hours educational programs – the Nature Center is a great place for multi-generational community engagement. The Friends have really helped to bolster the Nature Center’s impact.

How has the Nature Center contributed to conservation efforts in Western North Carolina?

Education. It’s so accessible. There are opportunities to learn at every turn of the Nature Center. And when you can’t get to the Nature Center, the outreach education program – going into schools and libraries in the various communities in WNC – is such a great way to teach conservation to kids of all ages and demographics.

What do you think the Nature Center’s 100-year legacy means to the community?

I think for a majority of the residents of Western North Carolina, if they know the Nature Center exists, they don’t think about the fact that it’s been around for 100 years. They just have fond memories. It’s important to highlight the 100 years and everything that went into founding a mission-oriented Center. We’ve made it to 100 years!

Looking to the Future

What hopes do you have for the next 100 years of the WNC Nature Center?

I see the Nature Center as spearheading a resurgence of the environment being paramount, and education being critical and pivotal. I see tremendous opportunity for growth, both physically and through the Friends’ outreach education program.

How can the community support the Nature Center’s mission moving forward?

Beyond being a member and supporting financially, we have to encourage and advocate. Whether it’s bringing the kids to spend the day, or attending events like Brews & Bears, Critter Check Up, or whatever else is going on, we have to make the Nature Center part of our routine.

Fun Reflection

If you could be any animal at the WNC Nature Center for a day, which one would you choose and why?

Cougars! They are so slow and gentle, and yet extremely powerful. Pisgah and Mitchell were the cougars at the Nature Center during my time there. They were so docile and peaceful, but if you’d watch them interacting with enrichment, it was a different story. They were springs wound so tightly – so powerful. You just want to go in there and love on them, but you know they’d get ya!

What’s one surprising fact about the Nature Center that most people don’t know?

The amazing partnerships the Nature Center has had with so many local organizations, like The American Chestnut Foundation. Oftentimes people don’t stop to read signs in the park.

How would you describe the Nature Center in three words?

1. Education (teaching the community about the beauty of nature around us and how we can and should live in harmony)
2. Inspiration (seeing the discovery happen as guests walk from exhibit to exhibit)
3. Recreation (watching the physical joy that occurs when we interact with wildlife and nature)

Are you interested in learning more about becoming a board member of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center? Email Kate at [email protected]. Want to learn more about buying a brick? Visit wildwnc.org/buy-a-brick or email Cindy at [email protected].

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