Background Statement
Wild Bear Nature Center was founded in 1995 by a public school teacher and lifelong naturalist. Today, Wild Bear provides nature education to tens of thousands of people annually from around the Front Range as the only year-round, non-profit nature center serving all ages in Boulder County.
WBNC's nature center is located in downtown Nederland at 8,236 feet in elevation, and specializes in mountain ecology. This past year, more than 25,000 people visited the nature center and explored its exhibits, met its animal ambassadors, learned about outdoor adventure and education programs, and spoke with expert staff and volunteers. Wild Bear is known in the community and along the Front Range as a place to learn about the mountain ecosystem and where to explore, a go to source of quality outdoor adventures, science-based nature education, and nature-centered child care.
Wild Bear is a deep-rooted part of the mountain community. As the only year-round licensed school-age childcare in Nederland, Wild Bear plays a critical role in the Peak to Peak community. In particular, we serve many lower income families as a provider with the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program and, this past year, 42% of children's program participation was supported by sliding scale scholarships.
In addition, as a partner in the preservation of Mud Lake Open Space’s 260 acres, Wild Bear has helped ensure the preservation of critical wetland on the northern edge of town along the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway. Today, that preserved open space has grown to nearly 3,000 acres and is home to the future of Wild Bear - during the summer of 2022, we broke ground on a permanent, net zero 8,500 sq. him ft. nature center on five acres owned by Wild Bear, achieving a vision years in the making and driven by a team of donors, volunteers, green building and energy experts dedicated to making this vision a reality. Learn more about the new nature center vision here: https://www.gowild.wildbear.org/