NEDERLAND - Wild Bear Nature Center, currently located in the Nederland shopping center, is soon entering a new space. Situated in the wilderness, the new location will easily allow visitors to immerse themselves in nature.
According to Wild Bear’s website (https://www.gowild.wildbear.org/), the center has outgrown its current location in downtown Nederland. The new building will be 8,500 square feet, with dedicated areas for offices, community programs, volunteer work, and more.
Jill Dreves, Wild Bear’s founder, established the center in 1995 with only $500 in her bank account. Starting with only 25 children enrolled, Wild Bear now sees thousands of visitors yearly. After moving to the new location, Dreves said, Wild Bear’s growth will be exponential
“We truly have something for everyone,” Dreves said in a message to The Mountain-Ear. “People always learn something when they come to the nature center.”
Wild Bear educates through a variety of programs for youth and adults. Youth programs include nature adventure days, snow school, summer nature camps, group programs, and outdoor story times. Adult programs include hikes and art in the wild.
The new nature center was born after Wild Bear helped to restore Mud Lake. It is now one of healthiest wetland habitats in the Front Range, according to Wild Bear. Afterward, they purchased five acres of adjacent land and voters approved the building of a nature center on the site.
The new structure will improve accessibility by having nature in its backyard. Rather than requiring people to travel from the center to nature, they will simply need to walk outside. Additionally, the facility will feature ADA-accessible trails and activities.
The building is expected to have a net zero (or better) energy footprint, as it will produce more energy than it consumes. Features of the center will include 50kW of solar panels, floor insulation, south-facing windows, floor plumbing for solar powered water heat, and more.
Interior and exterior features of the new construction take advantage of the new location. The interior is set to include a wildlife observation window and an outdoor classroom. The exterior will have hiking trails and a nature playscape.
So when will this building come to fruition? Well, it is a work in progress, according to the website. It is expected for the corrugated steel skin, high-performance windows, and split-seamed roof to be completed by the end of December. Interested donors have the opportunity to make a pledge (https://www.gowild.wildbear.org/naming-opportunities) and name different areas of the center.
In the fall of 2025, Wild Bear plans to open a new forest preschool. It will serve up to 30 children aged 3-5 years. The kids will participate in unstructured forest play activities such as story time and periods of creative play.
“As we move into the new building, our growth will be incredible,” Dreves told The Mountain-Ear. “We will be one of the only places to embrace nature along the Peak to Peak Highway. This will be a spot where people can stop and go on hikes and learn about the beautiful montane ecosystem that they are in.”
