Wild Bear Nature Center

Since 1995, Wild Bear has helped children and adults forge lifelong connections to nature through creative exploration of the outdoors. Specializing in mountain ecology, Wild Bear welcomes visitors to its hands-on nature center and provides year-round educational programs. Your donation will make a huge difference:

• A $75 donation sponsors a full day of nature education for a child from a low-income household. 
• A $250 donation funds a group program where children and adults learn from artists, scientists, or wildlife experts. 
• A $500 donation supports a week of full day childcare for a local family in need when school is out during spring, summer, or winter break.
• A $1000 donation supports an entire class traveling to the mountains four times - once each season - to learn about snow science, wildflowers, mountain ecology, our watershed, and more.

Your donation helps keep Wild Bear programs open to anyone, regardless of income - last year, 36% of children's program participation was supported through sliding scale scholarships. And, since Wild Bear is a licensed childcare provider, your donation could be eligible for a 50% Colorado Child Care tax credit! Check with your accountant.

Now more than ever, we need nature and nature needs us - support Wild Bear Nature Center today!

Testimonials

What people are saying about our Wild Bear Nature Center and our programs:

•  "It was a welcoming space that offered both factual information about our plant and animal relatives, as well as relational activities to help us connect with one another as participants."
• "It was a unique experience hiking at night and I loved [the guides's] enthusiasm! It definitely gave me a new perspective on the forest and piqued my interest."
• "The teachers are great with the children and the programs are fun and interesting."
• "Wild Bear has been such a positive experience for 7 years! Now [my child is] becoming a counselor in training!"
• "[My son] can name all different types of clouds, showed me what gumweed is, and what you can use it for."
• "[My daughter] talks about different insects and shows a wider interest in nature."
• "Wild Bear is like a family to me. Loves the little ones and they love her."
• "[My child] knows the names of about 100 wildflowers. Very nurturing for her, emotionally over the years! So grateful for caring staff & for financial help."
• "[My daughter] is very appreciate of nature. Quite knowledgeable about birds, insects, flowers. Counteracts electronics."
• "My daughter loves playing in the dirt."
• "My kids love it and are so grateful for the chance to play outside."
• "My son impressed people with scientific knowledge gained."
• "We fell in love with the center & it's mission on our first visit, & after trying a couple of Wild Bear classes when our son was 3, he love it so much that we knew it was worth our time."
• "When asked, [my son] talked for a solid 5 minutes listing the different topics covered in class. But above all, he loves the time spent outdoors at Mud Lake"