Esther E. Manheimer Mayor at City of Asheville | Official website
Esther E. Manheimer Mayor at City of Asheville | Official website
The WNC Nature Center is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2025, marking a century of connecting visitors with wildlife. This milestone coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Friends of the WNC Nature Center, a nonprofit supporting the center's mission. Since its opening as Recreation Park Zoo in May 1925, the center has evolved from housing exotic animals to showcasing species native to the Southern Appalachians, such as river otters and red wolves.
In 2023, the center attracted over 192,500 visitors, including 75,000 children. However, Tropical Storm Helene caused a temporary closure starting September 27, affecting visitor attendance in late 2024. Despite this setback, improvements are underway as part of the Gateway to the Southern Appalachians project. The project includes a new entrance and butterfly garden and is expected to be completed by summer 2025.
Chris Gentile, director since 2009, highlighted an upcoming exhibit: “One exciting part of our Gateway project will be the unveiling of a 70-foot history timeline along the exterior of our barn wall.” The timeline will feature significant milestones like accreditation by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) in 1999.
The center plans various events throughout its centennial year. These include educational programs and community outreach activities. Gentile expressed enthusiasm for these initiatives: “What we’ve collectively accomplished to date is worth celebrating, and what we can learn from it as we look to the future is inspiring.”
The center has faced closures before due to events like World War II and financial challenges but has consistently rebounded thanks to support from entities like the Junior League of Asheville and community campaigns led by figures such as Jeanne Cummings and Sally Rhodes.
The Friends organization was established in May 1975 and has been crucial in securing resources for animal care and conservation efforts over five decades. Their contributions have supported significant projects at the nature center.
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