BECOME A MEMBER! 
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Friends of the WNC Nature Center is a 501c3 non profit charitable organization dedicated to providing the resources to support the high quality growth of the WNC Nature Center and its efforts to educate the public about the natural history and ecology of the Southern Appalachians.

Why Become a Friend?

#1 FUND RAISING:
Every organization needs money. The City of Asheville supports the Center by paying salaries, supplies, and all maintenance. New exhibits and expansion of the Center are paid for by generous donations from private individuals, foundations and corporations, special events and membership in the Friends. Hey Day, a fall family festival, is the major special event sponsored by the Friends.

#2 VOLUNTEERS:
The Friends rely on volunteers to help with Hey Day, their major special event. Friends volunteers are also needed to act as docents to enhance educational presentations at the Center. Currently, we have several members developing "educational moments" at the Center, 20 minute presentations at regular times on specified days each week. This outreach will target the educational needs of both the home schooling population and that of parents with young children. always needed for our speakers bureau to present slide shows to interested organizations within the community.

Friends volunteers are also need to enhance the visitor experience at the Center, especially for parents and their young children. Sample ideas are creating environmentally educational sidewalk games for youth to enjoy during their visit or establishing artistic creations compatible with the Nature Center experience that would provide climbing or wiggling fun.
Friends volunteers are also needed to enhance the floral and faunal experience of all our visitors. As an example, if you have a naturalist and/or an artistic backround and have the time, the Friends could use you to create signage that conveys more in depth information on the plants housed within the Center and their uses during times past.


#3 ADVOCACY:
The Friends of the Nature Center take an active role in seeking continued support of the WNC Nature Center on a local and state level. This involvement includes long range planning with the City of Asheville Parks and Recreations department, as well as working with the City of Asheville to secure increased government support for the Nature Center.

#4 YOU:
Yes, you can make a big difference in our ability to provide resources to the Nature Center to make it be the very best it can be, and you can have fun doing it. Please call Sarah Oram, Friends Director,  at (828) 298-5600 ext. 308 for information on making a donation to support improvements at the Center or to volunteer in one of the many ways described above. You may download a one year membership application from www.wildwnc.org.

Wonderful educational experience.
H. family  Bakersville, NC

Friends Membership Benefits Include:

FREE one year admission to the WNC Nature Center on regular admission days
RECIPROCAL ADMISSION to over 275 zoos, aquariums (AZA)
and science centers (ASTC) nationwide
DISCOUNT of 10% at the Possum's Pouch Gift Shop
EARLY SIGN UP AND DISCOUNT to WNC Nature Center Summer Camps
DISCOUNT for Onsite Birthday Parties
DISCOUNT to Offsite Educational Experiences (e.g. Elk Trip and Butterfly Tagging)
DISCOUNT to Nature Center special events and on site educational programs
SUBSCRIPTION to WILDWNC, the Friends quarterly Newsletter
FREE admission to Hey Day, our Fall Family Festival
INVITATION to the Friends Annual Meeting
DISCOUNT of 50% to the Health Adventure, downtown Asheville

ADDITIONAL WAYS TO SUPPORT WNC NATURE CENTER:

Your support is valuable to us so we have many ways for you to become involved in our success:

DONATIONS- Join our Food Chain!

All financial contributions are welcomed and used to improve our Center!

ADOPT AN ANIMAL

great idea for child or adult gifts!

BUY A BRICK

support the very foundation of our center!

VOLUNTEER

share your love of animals and the environment with others!