Membership - WNC Nature Center

Join the Friends & Save!

Your membership can pay for itself in as few as two visits!

With this green initiative, your membership cards will always be available on your phone!

Reciprocity
with AZA & ASTC

With free or reduced admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers, membership with the Nature Center is one of the best deals in the nation!

Cubs & Kits Club

Members with children ages 3 to 12 in their household can join! Kids will receive a birthday card and a monthly email to learn fun things about nature all year round!

Click Here to Sign Up

Join the Friends of the WNC Nature Center to become a member today! Becoming a member is one of the best ways to support the Nature Center’s mission.

Your membership provides funding and resources to support educational programs, animal care, conservation efforts, and facility enhancements.
Memberships are not refundable.
Membership can not be used for admission when visiting the WNC Nature Center with a paid Group program.

With our green initiative, your updated membership cards will be available on your smartphone within 48 hours of your purchase!

Choose the perfect plan for you!

Individual

^$39
One Year

^$68
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for one adult

Dual

^$59
One Year

^$108
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for one adult and one guest
or two named adults
or one named adult and one child in the same household

Family

^$89
One Year

^$168
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old

FamilyPLus

^$119
One Year

^$228
Two Year

Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old
PLUS two additional people, adults or children

^$175

WILDLIFE
GUARDIAN

FamilyPlus Membership for one year + 2 Brews & Bears tickets

^$250

WILDLIFE
BENEFACTOR

FamilyPlus Membership for one year + 2 Wild Walk/Junior Wild Walk tickets

^$500

Wildlife
Patron

FamilyPlus Membership for one year + a private tour for up to 6 people

Member Benefits

Your membership with the Friends of the WNC Nature Center gives you exclusive benefits all year round,
including free admission to the park for a year, free or discounted admission to events and programs, and other special perks!

Free daily admission to the WNC Nature Center, plus early entrance at 9:30 am to see how keepers prepare and clean animal habitats before opening the park
10% discount at the Nature Center Gift Shop
Discounts on programs, summer camp, and special events
Free or half-priced admission to 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide
Access to the members-only Cubs & Kits Club for households with children ages 3 to 12
Annual member button, available for pick up from the Membership Office each year (one per household)

FREE ADMISSION FOR A YEAR

Free daily admission to the WNC Nature Center. Friends members now can enter daily at 9:30 am to see how keepers open the park!

Nature Center DisCounts

Members receive discounts at the Nature Center Gift Shop, select special events, and summer camp!

Discounted admission to 450+ centers

Free or half-priced admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide.*

*Reciprocity may change. Please call reciprocal partners before visiting to ensure they are accepting reciprocal memberships. Refunds are not offered if reciprocity changes.
**Science centers within 90 miles “as the crow flies” of your home address or the Nature Center may not honor reciprocity.

Friends
E-Newsletter

Subscribe to learn about member giveaways, upcoming events, animal updates, and conservation efforts in your inbox each month!

Cubs & Kits Club

A free program for Friends of the WNC Nature Center member children between the ages of 3 and 12.

Club Details

Children receive access to monthly conservation content, a birthday card and birthday button, and free giveaways during select months.

Digital Membership Cards

With our green initiative, your membership cards will be available on your smartphone within 24 hours of your purchase.

How to Get Your eMembership Card:

Download the eMembership App from the Apple App store or Google Play Store

2. Search for and select the Friends of the WNC Nature Center tile and touch “Find My Membership Cards”

3. Enter the phone number you used when you joined or renewed and your last name.

4. Download your card.

Please contact the Membership Office at [email protected] with any questions or to verify or update your phone number!

If you prefer not to download the digital app, you can download or print your card by clicking here.

Gift Memberships

Want to give the gift of Nature? We offer personalized gift memberships, as well as gift certificates for yet-to-be-named recipients.

Gift memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase. A membership purchased with a gift certificate is valid for one year from the date it is redeemed.

To purchase a gift membership, click the link below and choose the plan for your recipient; the form includes a section for gift recipient information and a personalized message.

Contact the Membership Office at 828-259-8092 if you have questions about which gift membership option is best for you!

Frequently asked questions

Click here to view all Membership FAQs.

What's the best way to buy or renew a membership?

You can purchase your membership at any time on our website.

Memberships may also be purchased daily in person at the Nature Center from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm or over the phone by calling (828)259-8092.

Can I apply my ticket purchase toward a membership?

If you choose to purchase a membership on the day of your visit and have already purchased admission tickets, we will give you a guest pass for each adult included on the new membership. Just visit the Membership Office to start the process!

When will I receive my membership cards?

In an effort to go green, our membership cards are digital. To download your Digital Membership Card, go to the App Store or Play Store and download the eMembership Card app. Under Institutions, select Friends of the WNC Nature Center. Click “Find my Membership Card,” then enter the phone number you used when you joined or renewed and your last name. Start using your card right away!

Please allow up to 48 hours after purchase for our system to process your membership.

Choose the perfect plan for you!

Individual

$39 One Year $68 Two Year

Dual

$59 One Year $108 Two Year

Family

$89 One Year $168 Two Year

FamilyPLus

$119 One Year $228 Two Year

$175

WILDLIFE GUARDIAN

$250

WILDLIFE BENEFACTOR

$500

Wildlife Patron

Member Benefits

FREE ADMISSION FOR A YEAR

Nature Center DisCounts

Discounted admission to 450+ centers

Friends E-Newsletter

Cubs & Kits Club

Club Details

Digital Membership Cards

How to Get Your eMembership Card:

Gift Memberships

Frequently asked questions

^$39
One Year

^$68
Two Year

^$59
One Year

^$108
Two Year

^$89
One Year

^$168
Two Year

^$119
One Year

^$228
Two Year

^$175

WILDLIFE
GUARDIAN

^$250

WILDLIFE
BENEFACTOR

^$500

Wildlife
Patron

Friends
E-Newsletter