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OPEN TODAY: 10AM-4:30PM Last Admission @ 3:30

Become A Member

Join the Friends of the WNC Nature Center to become a member today! Becoming a member is one of the best ways to support the Nature Center’s mission.
Pick Your Plan
Member Benefits
Get Your Digital Card

Your membership provides funding and resources to support educational programs, animal care, conservation efforts, and facility enhancements.

Memberships are not refundable and membership can not be used for admission when visiting the WNC Nature Center with a paid Group program.
Your membership with the Friends of the WNC Nature Center gives you exclusive benefits all year round, including free admission to the park for a year, free or discounted admission to events and programs, and other special perks!
Explore Benefits

Choose Your Perfect Plan

Individual Membership

Individual

$39 One Year | $68 Two year

Includes all membership benefits for one adult

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This is a gift
Dual membership

Dual

$59 One Year | $108 Two year

Includes all membership benefits for one adult and one guest
or two named adults
or one named adult and one child in the same household.

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This is a gift
Turtle family membership

Family

$89 One Year | $168 Two year

Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old

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This is a gift

Family Plus

$119 One Year | $228 Two year

Includes all membership benefits for two adults and four children/ grandchildren under 18 years old PLUS two additional people, adults or children.

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This is a gift
Guardian

WILDLIFE GUARDIAN

$175

FamilyPlus Membership for one year + 2 Brews & Bears tickets

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This is a gift
Benefactor

Wildlife
Benefactor

$250

FamilyPlus Membership for one year + 2 Wild Walk/Junior Wild Walk tickets

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This is a gift
Happy Red Panda after Paton Membership Donation

Wildlife
Patron

$500

FamilyPlus Membership for one year + a private tour for up to 6 people

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This is a gift

Membership Benefits

Your membership with the Friends of the WNC Nature Center gives you exclusive benefits all year round, including free admission to the park for a year, free or discounted admission to events and programs, and other special perks!
  • Free daily admission to the WNC Nature Center, plus early entrance at 9:30 am to see how keepers prepare and clean animal habitats before opening the park
  • 10% discount at the Nature Center Gift Shop when you show your membership card
  • Discounts on programs and special events
  • Free or half-priced admission to 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide
  • Access to the members-only Cubs & Kits Club for households with children ages 3 to 12
  • Annual member button, available for pick up from the Membership Office each year (one per household)

FREE ADMISSION FOR A YEAR

Free daily admission to the WNC Nature Center. Friends members can enter daily at 9:30 am to see how keepers open the park!

Nature Center DisCounts

Members receive discounts at select special events and the Nature Center Gift Shop when they show their card!

Discounted admission to 450+ centers

Free or half-priced admission to more than 450 zoos, aquariums, and science centers nationwide.*

AZA Zoos & Aquariums
ASTC Science Centers
Other Reciprocal Facilities

CUBS & KITS KIDS CLUB

A free program for Friends of the WNC Nature Center member children between the ages of 3 and 12. Children receive access to monthly conservation content, a birthday card and birthday button, and free giveaways during select months.

Find current activities here

Join The Club

BILTMORE ESTATE DISCOUNT

$10 OFF Daytime Admission Tickets (limit 4) during 2025.

Tickets must be purchased in advance:

  • Call Biltmore’s Ticketing Center at 800-624-1575 to purchase your tickets.
  • On the day of your visit, go to Biltmore Ticketing Center to pick up your tickets at “Will Call.”
  • Present your Nature Center Digital Membership Card to receive your tickets.

Not valid with any other offer. Tickets can be upgraded to a Biltmore Annual Pass on visit day.

*Reciprocity may change. Please call reciprocal partners before visiting to ensure they are accepting reciprocal memberships. Refunds are not offered if reciprocity changes. **Science centers within 90 miles “as the crow flies” of your home address or the Nature Center may not honor reciprocity.
Current Monthly Membership Benefit

Current Monthly Benefit

MARCH 2026

BFF WEEKEND!

Bring a friend for free on March 7 or 8. One per member household.

Digital Membership Cards

With our green initiative, your membership cards will be available on your smartphone within 24 hours of your purchase.

How to Get Your eMembership Card:

  1. Download the eMembership App from the Apple App store or Google Play Store
  2. Search for and select the Friends of the WNC Nature Center tile and touch “Find My Membership Cards”
  3. Enter the phone number you used when you joined or renewed and your last name.
  4. Download your card.

Please contact the Membership Office at [email protected] with any questions or to verify or update your phone number! If you prefer not to download the digital app, you can download or print your card by clicking here. 

Apple App Store Download Button
Google App Store Download Button

Gift Memberships

Want to give the gift of Nature? We offer personalized gift memberships, as well as gift certificates for yet-to-be-named recipients.

Gift memberships are valid for one year from the date of purchase. A membership purchased with a gift certificate is valid for one year from the date it is redeemed.

To purchase a gift membership, click the link below and choose the plan for your recipient; the form includes a section for gift recipient information and a personalized message.

Contact the Membership Office at 828-259-8092 if you have questions about which gift membership option is best for you!

Purchase a Gift Certificate for a Membership
Purchase a Gift Membership
Redeem Your Membership Gift Certificate

Frequently Asked Questions

See All Membership FAQs
What’s the best way to buy or renew a membership?
You can purchase your membership at any time on our website. Memberships may also be purchased daily in person at the Nature Center from 10:00 am to 3:30 pm or over the phone by calling (828)259-8092.
Can I apply my ticket purchase toward a membership?
If you choose to purchase a membership on the day of your visit and have already purchased admission tickets, we can refund the cost of the admission tickets for anyone who will be included on the new membership. This option is available until 3:30 pm. Please visit the Membership Office to start the process!
When will I receive my membership cards?

In an effort to go green, our membership cards are digital. To download your Digital Membership Card, go to the App Store or Play Store and download the eMembership Card app. Under Institutions, select Friends of the WNC Nature Center. Click “Find my Membership Card,” then enter the phone number you used when you joined or your member ID# and your last name. Start using your card right away!

Please allow up to 24 hours after purchase for our system to process your membership.