See wildlife up close! The Western North Carolina Nature Center is a 42-acre Natural Heritage sanctuary located just a few miles from downtown Asheville. The Nature Center provides a home for injured, orphaned or imprinted animals that could not survive on their own, and it is one of 28 in the country participating in the red wolf re-introduction program. They have 1% of the entire red wolf population of the world, because there are only 300 - 400 red wolves in existence, and they participate in breeding programs for this critically endangered species.
See 60+ native species of animals, all in natural habitats, as well as many small mammals and songbirds wild on the grounds. Beautiful, shaded walkways and quiet places to sit and enjoy the scenery.
Learn about and touch our rich natural heritage through educational and interactive exhibits. Enjoy diverse wildlife, gardens, trails, indoor exhibits and farm animals. See deer, foxes and bears, wolves, bobcats and cougars. And meet reptiles and amphibians up close with in-hand programs led by keepers.
Recent additions include the cougar twin brothers Pisgah and Mitchell, the Striped Skunk Balsam, and Slate the Flemish Giant Rabbit. Enjoy nature plantlife on the Trillium Glen Nature Trail, a 2/3 mile hiking trail loop in their nature sanctuary.
Animal programs twice a day (11:30 AM and 3:00 PM) are good chances to see animals being fed, meet birds or reptiles in-hand, and learn about the natural history of native species.
The River Otter habitat has been expanded and visually enhanced as Brandon's Otter Falls, a memorial exhibit designed to better connect visitors to the otters.
The center is open seven days a week, year-round.
For more, go to the WNC Nature Center web site.
