While the Nature Center has been closed, the Friends of the WNC Nature Center have leaned into their mission of connecting people to the wildlife of the Southern Appalachians. From November 2024 to February 2025, their two-person Outreach Education team traveled one thousand miles across the region, providing affordable, hands-on wildlife experiences to 1,200 individuals in schools, libraries, and community centers.
“Helene left a lasting impact on Western North Carolina, damaging parks, trails, and waterways that serve as vital outdoor learning spaces for families,” says Friends Executive Director Kate Frost. “Many were uncertain about where it was safe to explore and engage with nature. Our Outreach Educators worked tirelessly to connect our communities with nature through special animal interactions and educational moments during this time.”
