“I took a stroll within the woods and got here out taller than the timber.”
~ Henry David Thoreau

Jill Dreves grew up within the mountains of Colorado. As a baby, she attended a tiny, nature-immersed public college of simply 32 youngsters in grades Ok-8. Throughout these youth, a deep reference to Mom Earth was solid, and a seed was planted.

“After instructing public college for 9 years, in 1995 I went again to my roots of connecting youngsters (and now group) to their yard nature and took $500 out of my financial savings account to begin Wild Bear Nature Heart,” Dreves, the Government Director of the group, mentioned.

Wild Bear Nature Heart in Boulder County is an all-ages nature heart open to the general public 360-days a 12 months and a 2022 Elevations Basis grantee.

Sharing the fun of nature

The nonprofit nature heart in downtown Nederland is open 360 days a 12 months and free to the general public. Wild Bear gives year-round studying experiences for kids throughout their days off from college together with weekends, summer time break and over the winter holidays.

As well as, you’ll discover all-ages actions and nature workshops geared towards adults, households and faculty teams on the calendar of occasions together with guided snowshoe and summer time hikes, nature lessons corresponding to snow science, water research, herbalism, birds and mushrooms, nature artwork lessons and extra.

“The mountain ecosystems are essentially the most unimaginable lecturers to attach all ages to studying about water, geology, vegetation and animals,” Dreves added. “In the course of the summer time, youngsters journey from Boulder to Wild Bear in Nederland on the RTD bus with our workers. Wild Bear additionally enjoys guests and individuals from everywhere in the world.”

Time for extra progress

Wild Bear is at present engaged on constructing a brand new 8,500-square-foot nature heart (rendering proven above) on the gateway to three,000 acres alongside the Peak to Peak Scenic Byway with 16 miles of nature trails in western Boulder County.

Inside, guests will get pleasure from lecture rooms, nature reveals, a wildlife commentary window and group program area. Head exterior to a nature playscape, an amphitheater, ADA-accessible trails and extra.

“Since its founding, Wild Bear has turn into a powerful and rising group, offering 1000’s of individuals with alternatives to search out pleasure in nature, to unplug and really feel the therapeutic energy of the universe,” Dreves mentioned.

Getting exterior to breathe contemporary air, take heed to the birds and contact the Earth may also make us extra aware of the have to be environmentally conscious and take steps to guard our planet.

Connecting with our group

Not too long ago, Wild Bear was awarded a grant from the Elevations Basis.

“I used to be actually excited after I obtained the information and couldn’t wait to share with the entire group!” Growth Director Kat Barr mentioned. “I ran down the corridor to inform my coworkers immediately. Elevations Basis helps so many wonderful group organizations, and we couldn’t be prouder to be certainly one of them.”

Barr and Dreves mentioned the funds will assist them proceed to supply free and nominal-fee alternatives to the character heart’s guests and transfer ahead on a brand new facility.

“We now have so much happening and the overall working assist offered by Elevations Basis is essential to our success as a rising group,” Barr added.

When you’d wish to study extra about Wild Bear Nature Heart, turn into a volunteer or donate to their efforts, click on right here.

For extra info on Elevations Basis and the work it’s doing in our group, to study extra about its grant program or to assist assist one of many Elevations Basis’s causes, click on right here.