Our New Phase
The WNC Nature Center is excited to announce the completion of our Vision For The Future, an exciting new chapter in our Strategic Plan. Complete with a long-awaited butterfly garden and immersive guest experience, a renovated barn and farmyard space, and an expanded Gift Shop, the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians project broke ground in late May 2024 and was completed in 2026.
The Renovated Farm Yard and Barn
An iconic landmark of the WNC Nature Center, the barn and adjacent farm yard have been renovated to enhance the space and add a hillside to the grazing area. Moving the farm yard to include the hillside has allowed room for guest pathways to be widened.
Revisioning “The Beauty of Butterflies”
The WNC Nature Center first opened a seasonal exhibit called “The Beauty of Butterflies” in July 2004 to overwhelmingly positive public response. Guests were able to see butterflies representing 20 species and flowering plants in a 15′ by 40′ mesh hoop house. The exhibit provided education on the four stages of the butterfly life cycle and how to create habitats for pollinators. The Nature Center hosted this exhibit annually through the summer into early fall for seven years until 2010. Due to the exceeding popularity of this seasonal event, the Nature Center’s strategic plan included a vision to include immersive outdoor butterfly gardens. Guests can now enjoy a permanent display of native plants and get inspiration for creating their own gardens.
A New Gift Shop and Member Services Office
The Nature Center Gift Shop has expanded its footprint by moving across the Front Entrance Plaza to a newly constructed space. Doubling its square footage, the Gift Shop is now able to offer even more unique items and souvenirs for visitors. Membership has moved to the old Gift Shop space, creating a Member Services Office to better serve Friends of the WNC Nature Center members.
Funding Provided By:
