Asheville City Council Recognizes 100 Years of Fascination at WNC Nature Center
The City Council of Asheville officially proclaimed May 30th, 2025, as WNC Nature Day, as the WNC Nature Center celebrates 100 years of service, since the Recreational Park Zoo first opened in 1925. The City recognized the contributions the center makes to the community's education about the natural world.
The WNC Nature Center is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums and has earned the gold standard for animal care since 1999, marking 25 years of excellence.
In 2023, the Nature Center, along with its non-profit support organization, contributed $23 million to Buncombe County’s economy.
Click here to watch the official proclamation:
The Nature Center is inviting the public to celebrate its 100th anniversary. Here are the details.
FREE ADMISSION for the First 100 Non-Member Adults and Kids
Thanks to the generous support of our community partners, the first 100 non-member adults and first 100 non-member children will be able to enter the park for free.
Gates open at 10 a.m.
Special thanks to The Duke Energy Foundation for sponsoring 100 free adult tickets for non-members and The Junior League of Asheville for sponsoring 100 free children’s tickets for non-members.
SEED PACKET GIVEAWAY for Members
Friends of the WNC Nature Center members can grow a little wild at home and pick up a free native seed packet at the Membership Office
HISTORY WALL REVEAL
Be among the first to see the brand-new mural on the side of the barn and the unveiling of the 1925 history panel, one of twelve panels that will be revealed, highlighting the past hundred years of Center’s history.
Wild Fun with BINGO
Families (and children at heart) can pick up a BINGO card at the Front Ticket Office or Membership Office and explore the park in a whole new way.
Centennial DISCOUNTS
Symbolically adopt an animal representing the zoo’s past – exotic animals like the elephant, peacock, chimpanzee, lion, and eagle can be adopted in person at the Membership Office or Gift Shop. The adoptions will include a 15-percent discount on May 30 and proceeds will support the animals who currently call the Nature Center home.
The WNC Nature Center is located at 75 Gashes Creek Road in Asheville, North Carolina, and is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Please visit www.wildwnc.org for alternate directions to navigate to the Center after the loss of the Gashes Creek Bridge due to Hurricane Helene.
