Nederland’s Wild Bear Nature Center on loss of animals and boost of community support

Families and friends of Wild Bear gathered in Chipeta Park to memorialize the loss of animal lives.

In KGNU’s continued coverage of the fire in Nederland that destroyed 20 businesses on October 9th, we spoke with the Wild Bear Nature Center. Jill Dreves is the founder and Chief Vision Officer of the organization. Their interim nature center, while a new one is being constructed, was one of the sites that was destroyed in the Lakeview fire a few weeks ago. Dreves describes the nature center as a key part of the Nederland identity for the past 30 years, and an anchoring point for children and adults to learn about local trails and wildlife. Abby O’Brien spoke to Dreves about what was lost in the fire, including the animals that were living at the nature center.