Pisgah CenterCentennial Campus CenterOuter Banks CenterThe Wildlife Commission provides educational programs across the state through its regional education centers. A wildlife education center is a fun place for both adults and children to learn about wildlife and how we share natural resources with wildlife species. Plan your trip to see exhibits, participate in an educational program, or just browse the gift shop. Choose a region at right to learn more!

 



The Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education is located in Pisgah Forest (see map). Its programs and exhibits focus on the wildlife and habitats of North Carolina's Mountain region.

The center is open to the public daily, 8 am to 5 pm. It is closed on all state holidays except Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day. (Outdoor exhibits close at 4:30 p.m.)

EXHIBITS

Visitors to the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education can view both indoor and outdoor exhibits that focus on Mountain region wildlife. The exhibits are designed to show the relationship between people and wildlife, and the natural resources they share.

A paved walkway leads visitors through outdoor educational exhibits that focus on wildlife and fish management, law enforcement and conservation education. Visitors can view the trout raceways at the adjacent Pisgah Fish Hatchery managed by the Wildlife Commission's Division of Inland Fisheries. They can also learn about the importance of wetlands to aquatic life at the artificial wetland that is used by the state-of-the-art sewage treatment system at the center.

A model education site contains many wildlife food and cover plants and other habitat components arranged to attract wildlife. This site can provide ideas for enhancing your property to provide habitat and food for different wildlife species.

Indoor exhibits feature three aquariums that contain coastal, Piedmont and mountain aquatic species. The center also includes a N.C. WILD Store gift shop, an outdoor classroom, an auditorium, vending services and public restrooms.

PROGRAMS

Children at the trout raceways

The center offers programs on-site as well as outreach programs that take place at other locations across the region.

On-site programs include group programs and special events.

  • Group programs can be arranged for groups of 10 or more. These programs generally last 1 1/2 to 2 hours, and they are designed for specific age ranges.
    See current Group Programs!
  • Special events include the popular "Nature Nuts" and "Eco-Explorer" programs for kids and workshops on many different topics for adults and children. Special events are arranged seasonally.
    See current Special Event Programs!
For more information about on-site programs, contact the center's program coordinator:
Tanya Poole
Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
P.O. Box 1600
Pisgah Forest, NC 28768
Phone (828) 877-4423

Outreach programs include Project WILD and CATCH workshops and Outdoor Skill Experiences. Becoming an Outdoors-Woman workshops are also included. These workshops are facilitated by the center's regional education specialist.

Wildlife Education Specialist—Mountain Region
Lindsay Green
Pisgah Forest, NC
(828) 862-8721

 




LOCATION
 The center is easily accessible off U.S. Highway 276 near Pisgah Forest, North Carolina, in Transylvania County.

From I-40

  • Take exit 46A off I-40 (I-26 East, Hendersonville exit)
  • From I-26E take exit #40 (Asheville Airport & Brevard)
  • Turn right at end of exit ramp onto highway 280 West
  • Once on Hwy 280 drive approximately 17 miles
  • At the traffic light in Pisgah Forest (Bi-Lo, Taco Bell, Wal-Mart), Hwy 280 will intersect with Hwy 276 & Hwy 64
  • At this intersection turn right onto Hwy 276 North
  • Drive approximately 5.5 miles (Just after a bridge)
  • There will be a fork in the road and a sign for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
  • Bear to the left onto Forest Service Road 475
  • Drive approximately 1.5 miles and turn left at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education sign.

From I-26 West

  • Take exit 18B onto Hwy 64 West
  • Drive approximately 18 miles until Hwy 64 intersects with Hwy 280 & Hwy 276
  • At this intersection, continue straight onto Hwy 276
  • Drive approximately 5.5 miles on Hwy 276 (Just after a bridge)
  • There will be a fork in the road and a sign for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
  • Bear to the left onto Forest Service Road 475
  • Drive approximately 1.5 miles and turn left at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education sign.

From Brevard College

  • Take a right out of the college gate onto Hwy 64
  • Drive approximately 3 miles to the intersection of Hwy 276 & Hwy 280
  • At this intersection turn left onto Hwy 276 North
  • Drive approximately 5.5 miles (Just after a bridge)
  • There will be a fork in the road and a sign for the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education
  • Bear to the left onto Forest Service Road 475
  • Drive approximately 1.5 miles and turn left at the Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education sign.

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