In 1975, a non-profit charity later named the Friends of the WNC Nature Center was established to develop and fundraise for the improvements which ultimately opened in 1976[4].

The Center has been accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1999 and its collection features animals native to the southern Appalachian Mountains.

[4] In 2013 the center welcomed over 107,000 guests with over 13,000 coming from school children on field trips to the facility.

[9] The Prehistoric Appalachia exhibits will feature animals – or their closest living relatives – found in the region 15,000 years ago based on excavations done at the Gray Fossil Site, such as red panda (closest living relative of the Bristol's panda),.

[10] Other animals found at the fossil site include tapir,[11] wolverine,[12] and rhinoceros.