For over 26 years, Wild Bear Mountain Ecology Center has been hosting nature programs and educating children and families to connect with the outdoors and their own communities. A few years after its inception, the center also started hosting its annual Enchanted Forest event, where children and families gather to watch live music, participate in crafting, and take a tour through a magical forest trail to meet the animals of the area. Now, for the 20th Annual Enchanted Forest, the center’s mission is about to expand.

Wild Bear is responsible for the preservation of the Mud Lake Open Space, where they cleaned up over 30 tons of trash in 2000. That nature area has now become one of the most beloved hikes in the Boulder County area, and Wild Bear is lucky to own a five-acre space.

This area is not only going to host the 20th Annual Enchanted Forest, but also their brand new permanent nature center. Their current location at 20 Lakeview Drive, Unit 107 in Nederland is a quaint little building, but it is located in a place where it is often stumbled upon by those who find it. Founder and Executive Director Mrs. Jill Dreves hopes that the new nature center will make Wild Bear a destination that more people find themselves intentionally traveling to, increasing those who are aware of the center’s mission.

The net-zero emission, 8,500-square-foot building will include a playscape, a wildlife observation area, a viewing window, a nature space, and easy access to the nearby hiking trails. Dreves believes that it will further encourage those who visit to find ways to actively engage with nature and its connection with humanity.

For those who are curious about the new nature center, the building committee will be present at this year’s Enchanted Forest event, as will others who are happy and willing to take any questions about it. Due to Covid-19, last year’s Enchanted Forest was entirely digital, centering on five-minute films with the various animals on the trail talking about their experiences. Now, the entire center is thrilled to host the event once again in person.

The 20th Annual Enchanted Forest will be hosted on Wild Bear’s new property just across from The Caribou Room, 88 Indian Peaks Drive.

For additional information, check out wildbear.org.