The Next Phase
Renovating the Farm Yard and Barn
An iconic landmark of the WNC Nature Center, the barn and adjacent farm yard will be renovated to enhance the space and add a hillside to the grazing area. Moving the farm yard to include the hillside will allow room for guest pathways to be widened.
During construction, our barnyard animals will be interacting with new habitats inside and outside of the barn and receiving daily enrichment. Our keepers are monitoring the welfare of our animals, and we’re excited for the improvements being made for our animals and guests!
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.
Expanding the Gift Shop and Member Services Office
The Nature Center Gift Shop will expand its footprint by moving across the Front Entrance Plaza to a newly constructed space. Doubling its square footage, the Gift Shop will be able to offer even more unique items and souvenirs for visitors. Membership will move to the old Gift Shop space, creating a Member Services Office to better serve Friends of the WNC Nature Center members.
Design-work for the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians and Butterfly Pollinator Gardens began in 2020 and the project broke ground at the end of May 2024.
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