Friends of the WNC Nature Center

The Friends of the WNC Nature Center provided $641,657 to the WNC Nature Center in FY24. Donations were a combination of cash, services, in kind, and volunteer hours. Through Friends support, the Nature Center finished their new commissary and began working on their new veterinary clinic, both part of the new Animal Health Center; updated the coyote habitat; added necessary animal and perimeter fencing; installed new wayfinding signage; and completed an economic impact study. The study estimated that the Nature Center and the Friends made a combined $23 million economic contribution to the Buncombe County economy in 2023, supporting nearly 220 both within the Nature Center and indirectly in the wider community, boosting the Countys GDP by $13.5 million, and generating roughly $3.1 million in tax revenues. As a partner organization, The Friends operate the Gift Shop, Membership, Volunteer, and Outreach Education Programs and provide full marketing services to increase Nature Center admission numbers annually. The Nature Center had a record-breaking attendance in 2023 with 192,535 guests. The growth of both the WNC Nature Center and the Friends of the WNC Nature Center is because of their successful partnership.