Guests visiting the WNC Nature Center this spring and summer have seen an influx of new animals! Over the past six months, 19 animals representing seven species have been born or brought to the Nature Center.

In late April, the WNC Nature Center announced the birth of a large litter of critically endangered Red Wolf puppies. Six females (Babs, Bonnie, Ruby, Rufina, Sienna, and Toto) and one male (Tony) have grown up in front of guests and visitors and are now almost indistinguishable in size from their parents, Gloria and Oak. The WNC Nature Center anticipates that the Red Wolf pups will remain in Asheville for the next two years.

On the heels of the Red Wolf births came two coyote pups, Cal and Walker. They were also born in April and came to the Nature Center in late July from Izzie’s Pond Sanctuary in South Carolina. While Cal and Walker are not biological brothers, they were introduced to each other at a very young age, so they have bonded and will be companions. These coyotes are incredibly shy and are usually spotted by guests behind their open den shelter.

Quickly becoming a guest-favorite, bobcat kitten Tufts joined the Nature Center in early August. He came from the May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center in Banner Elk, North Carolina, and was named after Edgar Tufts, the founder of Lees-McRae College. The latest bobcat addition was Kohana in late November, a female bobcat who was found in the wild by the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, she was born around the same time as Tufts, and the two will be non-breeding companions.

Raccoons Grace and Frankie came to the WNC Nature Center in late September from Appalachian Wildlife Refuge. These kits have acclimated quickly with their curious behaviors and tactile foraging skills.

To say the least, animal keepers and the veterinary care team at the WNC Nature Center have been busy keeping up with vaccines and immunizations, introducing the animals to their new habitats, and encouraging behaviors that will help with their care as they grow into adulthood.

“When you visit and see our animals, it’s important to understand why they are here with us,” says Erin Oldread. Animal Curator at the Nature Center. “Sometimes they were born under human care, like our Red Wolves. Other animals were permanently injured in the wild and need ongoing veterinary care. In the case of our new coyotes, bobcats, and raccoons, they were found to be unreleasable by the sanctuaries who received them. Oftentimes when you are rehabilitating a very young animal and feeding them from a bottle, they very quickly become dependent on and overly comfortable around humans. It can be harmful to them and humans if they were released back into the wild, so the WNC Nature Center is happy to give them a home.”

In the case of WNC Nature Center’s last collection of baby animals, sometimes the Center serves as a holding ground as animals develop and prepare to be released back into the wild. Appalachian Station, the Nature Center’s indoor exhibit for reptiles and amphibians, is currently housing two baby box turtles and two baby snapping turtles, all four of which are overwintering and will be released in spring 2024.

Also joining the WNC Nature Center this year are adult animals, Suli the Black Vulture and Morticia the Turkey Vulture. Suli was born in the wild but came under human care after a wing injury. She came to the Nature Center in late March from the NC Aquarium at Pine Knolls Shores. Morticia arrived from Hershey Park Zoo/Zoo America in October and joined the habitat next to Buzz, the longest living resident at the Nature Center at 33 years, in December.

Typically, the WNC Nature Center sees less crowds as Asheville enters the colder weather seasons. However, the animals who call the Nature Center home are generally more active during this time of year, and visitors can enjoy watching all the new additions encounter their first winter in Western North Carolina.

Check out the WNC Nature Center’s holiday gift guide at dev.wildwnc.org/gift-guide to see all the ways you can support the animals who call the Nature Center home, including symbolic adoptions and purchasing items from the Animal Wishlist and Holiday Giving Tree.

“Double, double, toil and trouble; fire burn and caldron bubble”– Shakespeare’s Macbeth

Immerse yourselves in the enchanting world of creatures that seem straight out of a sorcerer’s tale, but call the WNC Nature Center home! Embark on a creepy cruise through Shakespeare’s classic Witches Song to uncover magical facts about some of our often overlooked native wildlife champions. Plus, we’ve conjured up our own delightful Witches’ Brew recipe for you to concoct with young sorcerers-in-training.

“Fillet of a Fenny Snake
 In the cauldron boil and bake”

Meet our “fenny snake” Gary, an Eastern Garter Snake. The term “fenny snake” evokes a snake from the swamps, as a fen is a type of wetland. Garter snakes have a hearty appetite for amphibians and slugs, so they thrive in wetlands, but these non-venomous snakes can live in many different habitats. But here’s where the magic comes in: Gary’s species practices ovoviviparity. That means snake moms give birth to live snake babies! They hatch from soft eggs inside their mother and emerge into the world as little baby snakes.

“Eye of Newt and Toe of Frog”

The Eastern Red Spotted Newt takes center stage with this famous line! These captivating creatures possess the “magical power” of shape-shifting. Newts start off as aquatic larvae with gills, then transform into land-dwelling juveniles known as efts, using their lungs to breathe air. Eventually, they become adults, returning to the water with a sleek tail, changing colors from fiery red to lush green. If you visit our two newts, Alex and Olivia, in Appalachian Station, see if you can decide which life stage they are in. If their transformations don’t seem magical enough, newts have another truly enchanting power: regeneration. If a newt is injured, it can regrow entire functioning limbs and organs! It is a skill that seems straight out of a spellbook, doesn’t it?

“Adder’s Fork and Blind-Worm’s Sting
Lizard’s Leg and Howlet’s Wing”

Enter Natalie and Nora, our Carolina Anoles, with their mesmerizing ability to change colors from vibrant green to earthy brown, adapting to the season and their habitat. It’s no wonder spotting them at Appalachian Station in the WNC Nature Center can be a challenge! These lizards blend in seamlessly into the trees they call home.

There are plenty of animals in the poem we didn’t learn about together. Next time you visit the WNC Nature Center (or see a wild animal) you can use these connections to explore with your child how wildlife plays a key role in so many parts of our lives, including inspiring art and literature.

There are plenty of animals in the poem we didn’t learn about together. Next time you visit the WNC Nature Center (or see a wild animal) you can use these connections to explore with your child how wildlife plays a key role in so many parts of our lives, including inspiring art and literature. Now that you’ve learned about all the ingredients, use the recipe below to concoct your own witches’ brew!

“For a Charm of Powerful Trouble”
Witches’ Brew Recipe!

Ingredients:

• Pudding or peanut butter
• “Eye of Newt”: Mini-chocolate chips or raisins
• “Lizard Leg”: Shredded coconut or carrots
• “Fillet of Fenny Snake”: Gummy worms or apple strips

Directions: In your cauldron (a large pot), combine the above ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon, moving in slow, mystical circles. For extra magical flair, recite the lines from the poem as you add each ingredient! Scoop the concoction into cups or bowls and garnish with extra “eyes of newt” to add a final spellbinding touch.

To serve a small gathering of witches, have each brew their own treat in a mini cauldron (a small mug), adding the ingredients one by one.

Special thanks to Outreach Education Specialist Brian Wuertz for this wildly-inspired article!

The Board of Directors of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center is pleased to welcome Kate Frost as the next Executive Director of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. Frost began her role as Executive Director on July 1, 2023, after the retirement of Karen Babcock, who had served as Executive Director since September 2018. Frost worked alongside Babcock for four years as the nonprofit’s Development and Marketing Director.

Frost has a solid history of nonprofit leadership. Prior to her role as Development and Marketing Director for Friends, she most recently served as Resource Development Director for Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County and Development Associate at Givens Communities. After spending thirteen years working alongside nonprofits to serve young children and their families, college students, and senior adults, she made the move from human services to animal welfare, joining the Friends of the WNC Nature Center in 2019. 

During her four-year tenure in Development for the Friends, Frost quadrupled individual giving and doubled special events revenues. She developed strong marketing partnerships with the community, including WNC Farmers Market, Asheville City Soccer Club, and Highland Brewing, successfully managing and growing the WNC Nature Center’s communications and marketing presence.

 “Kate has been integral to us,” says Nature Center Director Chris Gentile. “She has worked tirelessly to implement new fundraising opportunities and strategic marketing efforts, raising the profile of the Nature Center throughout the Southeast.”

With the support of their donors and members, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center have partnered with the WNC Nature Center for several capital enhancement projects, including the 2018 Front Entrance renovation and 2019 Red Panda Exhibit addition. For 2023 and beyond, new projects include the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians enhancement, new butterfly exhibit, expansion of the Gift Shop, and the creation of a new Animal Health Center and Commissary. “This is an exciting time for the WNC Nature Center,” says Gentile, “and we are glad to have the Friends as we continue to improve our offerings and grow in attendance and revenue.”

A lifelong resident of Asheville, Frost is a graduate of Appalachian State University and the Duke University Nonprofit Management program. Professional history aside, she has always had a passion for nature, often visiting the WNC Nature Center as a child. “While I’ve been with the Friends, my love for animals has grown into a deeper understanding of our role in protecting the natural world around us. I’m so grateful to be able to play a part in sharing the WNC Nature Center’s story and leading the Friends as we help them realize their vision,” Frost shares.

An additional announcement comes with the hiring of Cindy Smith, the new Director of Development for the Friends of the WNC Nature Center. Smith joins the Nature Center after serving two years as Executive Director of Jewish Family Services of Western North Carolina, where she helped to bolster support and enrichment for older adults and caregivers and expand accessibility to mental health services for residents of Western North Carolina.

Smith brings to the Friends 12 years of nonprofit fundraising and community engagement experience, as well as 10 years in professional journalism. A native of Southfield, Michigan, she is passionate about promoting environmental stewardship through doing, donating, and practicing.

“Joining the Friends team will allow me to integrate so many of my skills and passions to raise important funds and bring awareness to the wonderful work of the WNC Nature Center,” says Smith. “I’m thrilled to be in such incredible company – colleagues, animals, and guests alike!”

 Just in time for Mother’s Day, the WNC Nature Center announced the birth of nine red wolf pups! The critically endangered pups were born on April 28, 2023, and are the offspring of three-year-olds Gloria and Oak, both first-time parents. The nine pups – eight females and one male – are all healthy and doing well. The Nature Center’s veterinary care team is continuing to carefully monitor the newborns during these critical first weeks. At just two weeks old, these pups are still wholly dependent on their parents, but Gloria and Oak have been seen moving them around the habitat, so guests may sporadically see them. The pups may begin venturing out of the den box around the end of May, and guests may begin to see the pups in the red wolf habitat in June. Updates on the pups’ progress will be shared on the WNC Nature Center’s social media channels.  

 Parents Gloria and Oak were paired in January 2023 based on a breeding recommendation from the Red Wolf SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) program of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. SAFE is a collaborative effort between zoos and other conservation organizations to protect and recover the red wolf population through habitat restoration, genetically diverse breeding, and reintroduction of red wolves into their natural habitat. Gloria was born in April 2019 at the Endangered Wolf Center in Missouri, and Oak was born at the NC Zoo in Asheboro in April 2020.

By participating in this program, the WNC Nature Center is making a significant contribution to the conservation of this critically endangered species. “The WNC Nature Center is honored to be a part of the American red wolf conservation effort,” said WNC Nature Center Director Chris Gentile, “and we are so proud of Gloria and Oak for playing such an essential role in helping their species recover.”

American red wolves are native to North America and are one of the most endangered canine species in the world. In April 2023, the US Fish & Wildlife Service estimated that there are only 15 to 17 red wolves living in the wild in Eastern North Carolina. Red wolves in the SAFE program under human care numbered 235. The WNC Nature Center has been part of the American Red Wolf Recovery Program since 1990. Between 1996 and 2014, 13 pups were born at the Nature Center. This year’s litter brings that total to 22.

Community members and supporters of red wolf conservation have a role to play as well. With a pack of 11 red wolves at the WNC Nature Center, the community can help support a local effort to save these critically endangered animals. You can symbolically adopt a red wolf at www.wildwnc.org/adopt. Donations can also be made online at www.wildwnc.org/donate or mailed to Friends of the WNC Nature Center, PO Box 19151,  Asheville, NC, 28815

The WNC Nature Center is continuously focused on the well-being of the animals in its care, along with creating more dynamic presentations for guests. Inspired by the many AZA institutions moving towards a hands-off animal program style, the Education Team created a portable, ecosystem-inspired presentation wagon to showcase ambassador animals in a more naturalistic setting. 

By providing ambassador animals more choice in their environment, this allows for more natural movements and a greater diversity of behaviors to be showcased. Guests can see up-close the way Box Turtles explore their environment as they climb, burrow, or crawl through the assorted features of the program wagon. “This new presentation wagon benefits our animals and guests- we are truly excited for this enhancement,” said Eli Strull, Curator of Education. 

The program wagon was designed and built at the WNC Nature Center and rolled out its debut in February 2023. The Education Team is currently creating two more program wagons for additional ambassador animals to be presented in this way.  Just like a house, these carts are outfitted with “furniture” for the animal to thrive and interact with, and the WNC Nature Center needs your help stocking up on things like caves, plants, and driftwood.  If you’d like to donate, please check out our Amazon Animal Wishlist.

Next time you’re visiting the WNC Nature Center, be sure to keep an ear open for program announcements over the intercom and join us for a fun and educational demonstration of our ambassador Box Turtles in their new digs!

The WNC Nature Center has partnered with the WNC Farmers Market to create a new exhibit at its wildlife park. The Educational Farmers Market Garden will provide fresh produce for the animals in addition to educating the public about how agriculture and nature can have a sustainable relationship. The exhibit opened to guests on Wednesday, November 16, 2022.

The partnership between the two attractions began this past spring, and it was a labor of love for the employee volunteers from the Farmers Market. After testing the garden’s soil, installing new fencing, and establishing the garden beds, they planted spring crops. Then the construction began in July to build a kiosk that would share the story of the garden. The education kiosk contains signage sharing seasonal produce that grows in Western North Carolina, a life cycle of the garden, how the produce is used as enrichment for the animals, and agricultural careers that kids could choose to have when they grow up.

“We loved that the Educational Farmers Market Garden was situated across from one of the Nature Play areas at the Nature Center,” said Phil Jacobus, manager of the WNC Farmers Market. “Parents can check out the garden while their kids play nearby and have special learning moments with the family about seasonal availability of produce and North Carolina’s number one industry – agriculture.”

Guests who want to the visit the WNC Farmers Market after seeing the exhibit don’t have far to travel. The two attractions are less than 10 miles from each other. Both the WNC Nature Center and Farmers Market are open to the public 361 days a year.

Using sustainable planting methods including rainwater collection, composting, soil restoration, and companion plants, the educational garden has thrived. Harvests have produced lettuce, carrots, squash, zucchini, cantaloupe, cherry tomatoes, and acorn squash for the animals’ diets and enrichment. The Farmers Market is also working directly with their farmers and vendors to provide watermelon, pumpkins, and trees for enrichment that can’t be grown onsite at the garden.

Nature Center Director Chris Gentile has been collaborating with the Farmers Market since last October, when the idea of this exhibit was planted: “We are so excited to be partnering with the WNC Farmers Market on this endeavor. The WNC Nature Center’s mission is to connect our guests with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachian Mountains, and because of this
partnership, we now have the opportunity to show how agriculture as an industry has shaped our region.”

The WNC Nature Center and the WNC Farmers Market opened in 1977, and for the past 45 years, the millions of residents and tourists visiting have learned that Western North Carolina is a unique ecosystem of plants and animals combined with a culture as rich as its soil.

The Educational Farmers Market Garden is located above the river otter exhibit on the way to the gray foxes. Stop by and enjoy the new space! You can learn more about the WNC Farmers Market at www.wildwnc.org/wncfarmersmarket.

What do Jane Goodall, Steve Erwin, and Jeff Corwin all have in common? Their passion for wildlife! Every great naturalist has to get their start somewhere. More often than not, the seed is planted by observing animals in nature and in zoos at a young age. While a family visit or school field trip to the WNC Nature Center can be impactful for a young person, there are several programs offered by our Education Department tailored to youth that instill a deep appreciation for nature and nurture their love for animals.

If you’ve ever visited the WNC Nature Center on a summer day, you may have seen a teen volunteer stationed around the park providing hands-on, engaging education to guests. These dedicated individuals are a part of the Young Naturalist program at the WNC Nature Center. The program was created in 2001, and over the past two decades, local teens have been able to explore potential careers in the animal field and get more involved in their community as a whole. 

This past summer, 57 teens were involved in the program. These volunteers served over 1,000 hours in two months! They engaged Nature Center guests with Nature Play, Animal Olympics, and docent stations. They also had access to virtual professional development including resume building, community science, art in nature, and developing public speaking skills. Young Naturalists completed two major service projects including cleaning up the Swannanoa River with RiverLink and giving the red panda habitat a makeover.

The Young Naturalist program has made many impacts in our community and on impressionable young adults. The program won the Association of Zoos and Aquariums award in 2021 for education because of its long-term success. And some program participants have even moved on to have impactful careers working with animals or in the environmental field. Kelsi Rutledge, a Young Naturalist alumni, has recently gained media attention. Rutledge discovered a new species of ray and has done unprecedented research about how rays smell. She attributes the Young Naturalist program to helping foster her love for animals.  

Read Kelsi’s Story Here 

The WNC Nature Center also offers award-winning summer camps. First through fourth graders are invited to the Nature Center to discover the plants and animals that live on and around the Nature Center grounds. Kids get to experience animal encounters, play outdoor games, make animal themed crafts, and even do some science! Just like our Young Naturalists, many young adults have found inspiration from their childhood experiences at the Nature Center summer camps. R. Graham Reynolds, a summer camp alumni, is now a professor at UNC-Asheville. He’s recently discovered four new snake species!  Reynolds says his earliest memories of discovering his love of reptiles started in elementary school at the WNC Nature Center where he attended summer camps. 

Read Graham Reynolds’ Story Here 

It’s exciting to see that the Nature Center continues to serve its mission of fostering an appreciation for native wildlife. The Friends of the WNC Nature Center also supports the Nature Center’s mission by providing an outreach program to Buncombe County and surrounding counties. Outreach Educator Tori Duval brings the Nature Center to people who can’t otherwise come to the Nature Center, usually because of physical or financial restrictions. Every year, Tori reaches more than 10,000 kids, teens, and senior citizens in underserved communities all over Western North Carolina and as far as New Jersey with virtual programs! The Outreach Education program was also nationally recognized through The Association of Zoos and Aquariums in 2018 for significant achievement in “Expanding Impact through Targeted Low Income Outreach Education.” Through this program, the WNC Nature Center is able to inspire youth that otherwise wouldn’t have the chance to learn about wildlife through a visit or education program at the Nature Center or in their own backyards.  

The WNC Nature Center is proud and excited to be part of building up the next generation of conservationists, environmentalists, scientists, and biologists. Check out dev.wildwnc.org/ to learn more about the education programs we offer to our community. And who knows? Maybe the WNC Nature Center’s next Young Naturalist or Summer Camper will become the next Jane Goodall!

When it’s warm out, Asheville residents can stay cool by swimming at a public pool, tubing down the French Broad river, or visiting a local ice cream shop.  But how do the animals at the WNC Nature Center beat the heat during the summer months?

All of the animals at the Nature Center are native, or were once native, to the Southern Appalachian region.  This means they have the advantage of being used to the climate in which they reside.  However, for those extra hot days, the keepers at the WNC Nature Center have a number of ways to help keep the animals cool.  

We aren’t the only ones who enjoy a popsicle on a hot day!  Our keepers will prepare homemade popsicles containing special treats specific to whatever that individual animal enjoys.  For example, our otters receive popsicles containing trout and sardines, while our black bears enjoy popsicles containing watermelon chunks, blueberries, and strawberries!  While the idea of a rat popsicle may not sound appetizing, our cougar will lick an ice block containing a frozen rat!

While popsicles are a fun enrichment, too many treats are not good for our animals.  That’s why each animal habitat contains a Nelson automatic waterer (pictured above with our gray foxes).  Nelsons are a patented water bowl connected to a hose that is durable enough to withstand a black bear, and provides fresh, flowing water year round.  In the summer, the water stays cold, and in the winter, the water never freezes.  During the summer, animal keepers and our maintenance crew also work hard to prepare the animal exhibits that have water features.  The otters, wolves, and black bears can often be seen splashing in their pools.  Animal keepers will often place toys in the animals’ pools throughout the day to encourage them to take a swim when it’s hot.

If you have ever visited the WNC Nature Center, you may have noticed that the park layout mimics a leisurely hike through our mountains. The paths are hilly and shaded with native plant life. The habitats at the Nature Center have also been designed to mimic the natural spaces of Southern Appalachia since the species that reside here used to call these mountains home.  That means lots and lots of shade!  Each habitat has not only lots of natural shade, but also a structure that allows the animals to take shelter if they need a break from visitors, or if they get too hot. 

If you would like to see how our animals stay cool in the summer months, be sure to visit when we first open.  The cool mornings are when the animals are most active.  If you want to visit us when it’s coolest, consider purchasing a membership.  Members are allowed to enter the park early at 9:30am! Learn more about becoming a member at www.wildwnc.org/membership. 

A library card can be a passport to new worlds, experiences, and cultures. Now through a partnership with the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, local libraries are also introducing the plants and animals of the South Appalachian Mountains to their patrons. Through the Friends’ Library Pass Program, cardholders at participating libraries in nine counties across the region can check out a pass to visit the WNC Nature Center and gain free access to the wildlife park for a day.

 The WNC Nature Center originally partnered with the Buncombe County Library System in 2017 when the County established the ZOOM Library Pass program. Originally funded by the Buncombe County Friends of the Library, the program allows Buncombe County Library card holders to visit participating ZOOM partners at no cost by reserving a day pass online with their library card.

 According to Jesse Figuera, Branch Manager at the Weaverville Public Library, “‘Zoom’ reflects a combination of the words ZOO and Museum and was inspired by similar programs nationwide. Its purpose is to create and sustain new library card users while providing free access to area attractions that are participating ZOOM partners.”

Five years later, this program continues to open doors and introduce new experiences to Buncombe County residents. “The WNC Nature Center was a founding partner and participant in this exciting program,” says Figuera. “Since 2017, over 6,380 Buncombe County library card holders have used the ZOOM program to visit the WNC Nature Center. Buncombe County Public Libraries is honored and grateful for this partnership!”  

In 2022, Friends of the WNC Nature Center Membership Manager Kristen Schweikert expanded the Friends’ Library Pass Program to nine area county library systems, including Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Graham, Cherokee, Madison, Clay, and Polk in North Carolina, and Pickens in South Carolina.

 “We are excited to partner with Public Libraries in Western North Carolina to offer the opportunity for their patrons to visit the Nature Center. This is an important outreach opportunity for us to share our mission to inspire a passion to know more, care more, and do more for the wildlife of the Southern Appalachian mountains,” said Schweikert. “We are proud to offer this resource and encourage the community to connect with their local library to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Through the Friends’ Library Pass Program, each library pass admits up to two adults and up to four children (ages three to 17). Children ages two and under receive free admission to the wildlife park. For more information about checking out a pass to visit the WNC Nature Center, call or visit your participating county’s local library branch.

There are some incredible partners in this community who support the WNC Nature Center and love the wild animals who call the Southern Appalachian mountains home! Read below to learn more about some special programs and collaborations happening during the month of May. 

Asheville City Soccer ClubThis year,  Asheville City Soccer Club entered a multi-year partnership with the WNC Nature Center to help raise awareness and help visitors understand their part in protecting the native hellbender. The endangered amphibians thrive in pristine Appalachian rivers, living and surviving under river stones. In recent years, a viral trend of stacking rocks and posting them on social media has negatively impacted the hellbender habitat. 
In response, ACSC created amazing hellbender soccer shirts, with proceeds supporting the WNC Nature Center. These will soon be for sale in the Nature Center Gift Shop too! Additionally, the WNC Nature Center will join the Blues on Friday, May 20, for a doubleheader night welcoming both Dalton Red Wolves SC and North Carolina Fusion to Memorial Field (games at 5pm and 7:30pm). Buy tickets for the games here and stop by the Nature Center table to learn more about hellbenders and what you can do to protect their habitat! 

Highland BrewingLong-time community partner Highland Brewing launched a Pints with Purpose series this spring and summer to support five nonprofits in Western North Carolina. Each specially-brewed beer features an original label illustration by local designer Jenny Faire of Sound Mind Creative, and a portion of proceeds from all draft and crowler sales at taprooms will benefit the five non-profits. 

On May 22, they’re debuting the WNC Nature Center’s brew – the Black Bear Kolsch – to benefit the Friends of the WNC Nature Center! Stop by the celebration at Highland from 1 to 4 pm to see the WNC Nature Center tabling, along with face painting, balloon animals, bat boxes, and more! Learn more about Highland Brewing’s Pints with Purpose series here.  

Asheville Creative Arts

Please join Asheville Creative Arts’ world premier of Nehprii Amenii’s children’s theater production “HUMAN,” a multisensory puppetry experience for children ages five and up. 

Now that Humans are extinct and the world as we knew it has ended, the Octopus has a decision to make…  Will it be willing to give up one of its three hearts in order to create a new, more sensitive human being? Will it be willing to give humanity a second chance?  HUMAN is told through the windows of a sunken submarine, using images of the human heart, and a hybrid of puppetry styles. Meant to be enjoyed by children 5 and older and their families, it consists of projection design, sound design, dance, puppetry, and sensory play that explore what it means to be HUMAN.

Shows will be held at the Tina McGuire Theater at Wortham Center for the Performing Arts until May 15, with an array of showtimes. Tickets to embark on an exploration of what it means to be human along with a school of sea creatures are FREE! Visit www.ashevillecreativearts.org for detailed information. Come out and support these community partners and the WNC Nature Center this month! Interested in learning how you can partner with the WNC Nature Center? Email [email protected] with your ideas!