NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
Interior
$5,000,000βWild Bear Endowment Fund
Name the future for Wild Bear and secure its growth as it will continue to thrive and serve the community for generations to come.
$,000,000 We Are Nature Hall
Underscores our place in nature: We are earth, we are fire, we are water, we are animals. Learn how we can be good stewards. Playful hands-on exhibits as well as serious climate change research (CU Mountain Research Station connection, tundra cam). Gift of an anonymous donor. βCOMMITTEDβ
$100,000βNatureβs Breezeway
When you enter the building through the South Facing Patio, walk past the We Are Nature Hall, and head out the back door to the Northern Patio. This special area is bound to feel fresh and breezy in the summer and warm and cozy in the winter with the passive solar warmth!
$250,000βCommunity Gathering Hallβ a place to bring people together to learn, laugh and listen to the wisdom shared through guest speakers, movies, panel discussions, music, and more. When not conducting programs, the space will host docent-driven education through hands-on touch carts.
$100,000βCommunity Stageβon the north wall, this will be a special stage for guest speakers, performances, panel discussions, movies and mission-aligned community events
2 @ $25,000 eachβWe Are Animals! Restroomsβa very important place for visitors who are traveling through. βCOMMITTEDβ
$25,000 - Information Gathering Placeβ Stop by the front desk to ask about what is blooming, the best trails, register for a program or grab a booklet to take out on the self-guided trail. βCOMMITTED
3 @ $25,000 eachβDocent Touch-Cartsβ volunteers will be sharing hands-on learning from a cart that displays seasonal learning opportunities.
$150,000βWildlife Observation Window
This window along the north wall in the Community Gathering Hall will offer window seating where visitors can relax and enjoy bird viewing and watching for signs of wildlife, and participating in activities for children.
$500,000βObservation Deck in the Colorado Mountain Sky
Visitors can enjoy the observation deck to view the blue Colorado sky or the twinkling stars of the night sky. Search the montane forest and spot the hawks or identify the mountain peaks where Boulderβs water comes from. This space doubles as an outdoor classroom.
$250,000βRide to the Colorado Mountain Sky: Visitors will head up the elevator as if they are riding to the top of the world. This all-access feature provides a way to get up to the Mountain Sky Observation Deck to feel and breathe the beauty of this mountain. This special piece of integrated architectural art will be a journey unto itself.
$250,000β Stairway to the Colorado Mountain Sky
Visitors will head up the curving stairs as if they are climbing to the top of the world. This special piece of integrated architectural art will be a journey unto itself.
$500,000βNature Education Center
Occupies the entire ground-level walkout floor dedicated to formal programs.
$50,000βMakersβ Spaceβ where creativity abounds! Inspired by nature, people can create through art and musicβCOMMITTEDβ
2 @ $25,000 eachβNatureβs Classroomsβwhere we can make one big classroom or a series of smaller ones, depending on the size of the group. βONE IS COMMITTEDβ
2 @ $25,000 eachβWe Are Animals! Restrooms serving the downstairs classroom
Exterior
$1,000,000βNature PlayscapeβStretching the entire eastern boundary of Wild Bearβs property, children can enjoy a wild space to play, run, climb, pretend, dig, create, dream, and freely explore in wild nature. The landscaping allows for different play zones and includes two outdoor classroom spaces on round decks ideal for project-based learning.
$500,000βHike in the WoodsβThe half-mile trail loops around the building and moves through and around the distinctive rock outcropping at the top within view of the continental divide. An ADA-accessible trail will also be available near the building.
$250,000βPiazza in the SunβAt the entrance to the nature center, families can relax and enjoy the sun and fresh mountain air, with the birds and the butterflies in the special Bird Garden. This is sure to be a popular gathering spot!
$100,000βRelax and PlayβAt the entrance to the nature classrooms and makerβs space, the doors face east, inspired by Wild Bearβs Arapaho Indigenous Advisory Council. All tipis are erected with the door facing east, the direction of the rising sun, so that when they woke in the morning, they stepped out to greet the dawn. This will be a place where parents can relax while children play on the Nature Playscape.
$100,000 Amphitheater/Outdoor Classroomβ Imagine a gorgeous outdoor space just outside of the nature center and embedded in the woods for public programs such as evening nature talks, musical performances, guest speakers, theater, and family celebrations. βONE IS COMMITTEDβ
$100,000βSolar Powered StageβThis special stage facilitates presentations and performances with power.
$75,000β Hummingbird-Butterfly-Bee GardenβNative and xeriscaped, these gardens are there to attract pollinators and educate visitors about how to help them at home within view of the Wildlife Viewing Window.
β 5 @ $50,000 eachβExplore the WoodsβAlong the trail, enjoy bird viewing, the lichens or smell a ponderosa. Hands-on and interactive correlating with the special bilingual guidebook.
$250,000βBoard the BusβThis 1940s Canadian Transit Bus is one of the last remaining remnants of trash removed during the 30-ton Mud Lake trash cleanup in 2000. This bus will be reimagined and renovated into an exhibit encouraging visitors to βget on the busβ for the earth and make a statement about our commitment to preservation and stewardship.
$50,000βRest in the Bird ForestβHead out the exit toward the Amphitheatre and the shaded Northern Patio, enjoy the Bird Attracting Garden, and learn about the birds who migrate or stay year-round.
$50,000 βBird Gardenβ Enjoy the Bird and Butterfly Garden at the Piazza in the Sun, the south-facing patio of the nature center with a native landscape to attract birds throughout the year βCOMMITTEDβ
β 5 @ $10,000 βBenchesβArtistically crafted benches to honor a loved one or an idea ββTWO ARE COMMITTEDβ
β 5 @ $10,000 eachβPicnic TablesβThese special picnic tables will allow for interactive learning while eating lunch!
Exterior
$1,000,000βNature Playscape
Stretching the entire eastern boundary of Wild Bearβs property, children can enjoy a wild space to play, run, climb, pretend, dig, create, dream and freely explore in wild nature. The landscaping allows for different play zones, and includes two outdoor classroom spaces on round decks ideal for project-based learning.
$500,000βWild Bear Hiking Trail
The half mile trail loops around the building and moves through and around the distinctive rock outcropping at the top within view of the continental divide. An ADA accessible trail will also be available near the building.
β 5 @ $50,000 eachβTrail Interpretive ExhibitsβAlong the trail, enjoy bird viewing, the lichens or smell a ponderosa. Hands on and interactive correlating with the special bilingual guide book. β1 COMMITTEDβ
β 5 @ $10,000 βBenchesβArtistically crafted benches to honor a loved one or an idea
$250,000βBoard the Bus
This 1940βs Canadian Transit Bus is one of the last remaining remnants of trash removed during the 30-ton Mud Lake trash cleanup in 2000. This bus will be reimagined and renovated into an exhibit encouraging visitors to βget on the busβ for the earth and make a statement for our commitment to stewardship.
$250,000βSouth-facing Patio
At the entrance to the nature center, families can sit and enjoy the sun and fresh mountain air while enjoying the beautiful gardens, as well as rocks for children to climb on and explore. Coffee and snacks will be available for purchase on the South Patio, making it a popular gathering place to meet and relax.
β $75,000β Hummingbird-Butterfly-Bee GardenβNative and xeriscaped, these gardens are there to attract pollinators and educate visitors about how to help them at home.
β 3 @ $10,000 eachβPicnic TablesβThese special picnic tables will allow for interactive learning while eating lunch!
β $50,000 βRock Climbing and Group Welcoming SpaceβThis special geologic feature can double as a climbing area or seating for special groups before a program begins.
$100,000βEastern Patio
At the entrance to the nature classrooms and makerβs space, the doors face east, inspired by Wild Bearβs Arapaho Indigenous Advisory Council. All tipis are erected with the door facing east, the direction of the rising sun, so that when they woke in the morning, they stepped out to greet the dawn. This will be a place where parents can relax while children play on the Nature Playscape.
β $50,000βWater Gardenβ a special architecturally crafted water feature which is especially active on a warm winter day after a snowstorm or after a thunderstorm in the spring and summer.
β 3 @ $10,000 eachβPicnic TablesβThese special picnic tables will allow for interactive learning while eating lunch!
β $50,000βNorthern PatioβHead out the exit toward the Amphitheatre and the shaded Northern Patio, and enjoy the Bird Attracting Garden and learn about the birds who migrate or stay year-round.
β $50,000 βBird Gardenβ Native landscape to attract birds throughout the year βCOMMITTEDβ
β $10,000 eachβBenchesβ Artistically crafted benches to honor a loved one or an idea
Amphitheater/Outdoor Classroomβ for public programs such as evening nature talks, musical performances, guest speakers, theatre and family celebrations. βCOMMITTEDβ
β $100,000βSolar Powered StageβThis special stage facilitates presentations and performances with power.
β $100,000βEducational Fire PitβThe need for forest wildfire education grows in importance on a daily basis. This tamper-proof fire pit will be used in accordance with Boulder County outdoor fire guidelines.
β $10,000 eachβBenchesβArtistically crafted benches to honor a loved one or an idea
$75,000βCompost Outdoor Restroom
An educational exhibit unto itself, this facility will model sustainability.