Friends of Western North Carolina Nature Center

The Friends of Western North Carolina Nature Center is the nonprofit membership and volunteer organization supporting the WNC Nature Center in Asheville — a beloved native wildlife zoo and education facility recognized as one of the Southeast's best for its focus on Appalachian mountain species.

For families visiting Asheville, the WNC Nature Center is a pillar destination — see the separate WNC Nature Center listing for full details on the animal exhibits, trail experience, and visitor information. The Friends organization represents the community support side of the same institution.

Becoming a member of the Friends group provides annual unlimited access to the Nature Center while directly contributing to the care and conservation of native North Carolina wildlife including the critically endangered red wolf, river otters, black bears, mountain lions, and many other species. For families who visit Asheville regularly or who want to support wildlife conservation in a meaningful way, the membership offers real value.

The Friends group also runs volunteer programs, educational events, and family-friendly conservation activities that provide additional engagement beyond standard zoo visits. Families interested in going deeper into nature education and wildlife care can find those opportunities through the Friends organization.

At its core, visiting the WNC Nature Center in any capacity — as a day visitor, as a member, or as a volunteer — supports a facility that does genuine, important work protecting the native wildlife of the Southern Appalachian region.