About - WNC Nature Center

Our Mission

The Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people with the animals and plants of the Southern Appalachian Mountain region by inspiring appreciation, nurturing understanding, and advancing conservation of the region’s rich biodiversity.

Today, the Nature Center is one of the primary facilities in Western North Carolina offering school children and adults opportunities to learn about and develop an understanding of their responsibility for this area’s native wildlife and habitats. The WNC Nature Center is home to sixty species of wild and domestic animals and hundreds of species of plants, all representative of this unique bioregion, the Southern Appalachians.

The WNC Nature Center is managed by the City of Asheville.

Vision for the Future:
Wild Asheville!

Since its grand opening in May 1977, the Nature Center has been an integral part of the Western North Carolina community and contributed toward economic growth through tourism in the area. In 2008, City of Asheville residents were surveyed, and 85% felt the Nature Center was very important to the community. 73% felt that it was very important for the Nature Center to expand and/or improve.

As a result, the WNC Nature Center embarked on a journey in 2010 to develop a strategic plan to shape the future of the Nature Center. We’re proud to present VISION FOR THE FUTURE: Highlighting the unique wildlife of the Southern Appalachian region both past and present, the Nature Center will become a true gateway to the incredible world of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

Completed Projects:

2010 – Brandon’s Otter Falls enhancement & new Turtle Pond Exhibit

2012 – Arachnid Adventure Playground & Enhanced Red Wolf Exhibit

2014 – Appalachian Station remodel with new Hellbender Exhibit

2018 – New Front Entrance with Relocated Gift Shop

2019 – First Prehistoric Appalachia Exhibit: Red Pandas

Coming Soon:

2024 – Gateway to the Southern Appalachians and Butterfly Pollinator Garden Exhibit

2027 – Black Bear Boardwalk Extension & Habitat Reconstruction

About the Friends of the
WNC Nature Center

The Friends are a vital partner with the WNC Nature Center. With their donors and members, the Friends enrich the Nature Center’s mission to connect people with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

As a conservation organization, the Friends inspires a passion to know more, care more, and do more for the wildlife of the Southern Appalachian Mountains.

They advance the critical work of the WNC Nature Center by supporting its growth and development through fundraising, membership, outreach education, marketing, and volunteer services.

Your tax-deductible donation to the Friends (Tax ID: 23-7412910) directly supports the animal habitats, education programs, and conservation initiatives of the Nature Center you love!

Board Login

Our Mission

Vision for the Future: Wild Asheville!

Completed Projects:

Coming Soon:

About the Friends of the WNC Nature Center

Vision for the Future:
Wild Asheville!

About the Friends of the
WNC Nature Center