NEDERLAND - Wild Bear Nature Center has experienced much change over the last few years. After purchasing a patch of land near Mud Lake Open Space, the organization hosted a blessing of the land in 2022.
In 2023, construction launched on a...
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NEDERLAND - Wild Bear Nature Center has experienced much change over the last few years. After purchasing a patch of land near Mud Lake Open Space, the organization hosted a blessing of the land in 2022.
In 2023, construction launched on a net-zero nature center integrated into the land, encouraging families to interact with nature directly and through activities in the nature center.
Wild Bear cannot host major events on the land until the nature center’s construction is complete. As a result, they took a break from hosting their annual Enchanted Forest event in 2023 and 2024.
Now, in 2025, the nature center is nearly complete, but with construction still in progress, the Enchanted Forest still cannot be hosted there. Lining up perfectly with the organization’s 30th anniversary, the Enchanted Forest moved to a new location this year: Eldora.
On Saturday, September 27th, Wild Bear hosted the 22nd Annual Enchanted Forest from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Nederland ski resort, surrounding the area outside the Caribou Lodge.
The event hosted local vendors, live music, magic acts, face-painting, and tours through a forest to meet the animals that call Colorado home.
Chief Visionary Officer Jill Dreves found the ski resort’s mountain backdrop, covered with color-changing aspens, perfect for the event. She loved seeing the event come to life and feels grateful to the resort and the attendees of the event.
She even made a rare appearance in the enchanted forest tour, dedicating the afternoon to embodying the spirit of a mountain lion.
The nature center anticipates that the 23rd Annual Enchanted Forest will be moved back to the land patch hosting the new building, as construction is projected to be completed in 2026.
This year, though, the Enchanted Forest proved its ability to take many forms in many places. With the location offering an event like never before, this will certainly be part of a 30th anniversary celebration to remember.
To learn more about Wild Bear Nature Center, head to wildbear.org. To learn more about the net-zero nature center and the Go Wild Campaign, head to gowild.wildbear.org.
