Check Out Wild Bear Nature Center’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wild Bear Nature Center.

Wild Bear Nature Center, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Wild Bear Nature Center was started by an elementary school with $500 in 1995. Now we receive over 20,000 visitors annually!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I think our biggest struggle has been trying to get out of the shopping center. Currently, our Nature Center is located in Caribou Village. However, our new building is on 5 acres surrounded by 16 miles of trail. When we found out our original land wasn’t safe to build on because of a sink hole, we had to secure another spot. This has been a long process, but now the building should be open to the public next fall!

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Our mission is to inspire connection to nature and community through creative exploration of the outdoors. We are so proud that we get to share our local montane ecology with people near and far. On top of being located in a toursity spot, we are also the only school-aged child care provider in Nederland. We see Nederland Elementary students all the time, and also have plenty of international visitors coming from Norway to New Zealand.

What matters most to you?
What matters most is connecting people to nature. It’s so important, especially in the digital age we are in. Children today spend less than ten minutes a day playing outside on average. Our summer camps and Nature Adventure Days are able to get them outside for hours a day. It’s so good for their mental health. Adults, too. We do outdoor art classes, guided hikes, and even short seasonal walks to try to get people interested in being outside again.

Pricing:

• Children’s Day Program – $85
• CCAP Accepted
• Sliding Scale Scholarships offered
• Adult and Family Programs $10-$40

Contact Info:

• Website: https://wildbear.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildbearnaturecenter/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildbearnaturecenter/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wild-bear-nature-center-nederland
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSMv2RJ5XtQ&feature=youtu.be