When the Caribou Village Fire swept through Nederland on Oct. 9, destroying a beloved local shopping center and about 20 businesses, the flames also consumed the interim home of the Wild Bear Nature Center, Boulder County’s only free, all-ages nature education center.
But in the weeks since, Wild Bear’s staff and supporters have refused to let the loss define the organization.
“Nature did not burn down, the building did,” said founder and chief visionary officer Jill Dreves. “We still have our heart and soul, and our wild places that we take people to.”
Dreves founded Wild Bear in 1995 with $500 from her savings and a lifelong love for exploring the outdoors. In 2000, Wild Bear led the effort to restore Mud Lake, once used as a dumping ground, into a healthy wetland habitat. The nonprofit later purchased five acres of adjacent land for a new, larger nature center.
Today, Wild Bear hosts educational nature programs for children, families and adults designed to foster connection with nature. For kids, that includes summer camps, story readings, adventure days and field trips focused on topics like pollinators, snow and owls. Adults can join themed hikes on birding, medicinal herbs and night ecology, with customized group activities available. During the 2021–2022 fiscal year, the center served about 2,400 children and 1,500 adults and logged more than 23,000 nature center visits, many from Boulder and across the county. Wild Bear is also Nederland’s only state-licensed school-age child care provider.
Until the fire, many of these programs were based at the Caribou Village Shopping Center, where visitors could meet the center’s “animal ambassadors.” All of the animals – including Westie the western painted turtle, Luna the ball python, western tiger salamanders Sal and Sally, Vinny the whip-tail scorpion and others — were lost. The animals had served as part of the center’s mission to help visitors connect with nature through hands-on interaction.
“Our motto is ‘The more you know, the less you fear, and the more you protect the Earth,’” Dreves said, explaining why it was important that animal ambassadors included creatures some might find less appealing, such as isopods and Madagascar hissing cockroaches.
Dreves said several days after the fire, firefighters called to ask where Westie had lived, just in case the turtle had burrowed deep enough to survive. “Just that thoughtfulness. Wow,” Dreves said.
“We’re a 30-year organization,” she said. “And we’ve gone through a lot of challenging times, but also really great times in terms of community support over the years.”
The Caribou Village Fire, also known as the Lakeview Fire, devastated central Nederland, burning through a commercial block that housed Brightwood Music, Mountain Man Outdoor Store and The Very Nice Brewing Company, among many other businesses. On Oct. 14, the town extended its state of emergency to ensure access to relief funds. Tebo Properties, which owns the Caribou Village building, is preparing another property in town to provide space for displaced businesses. The site at 24 Big Springs Drive used to host the Black Forest Restaurant, but has been unused for five years and requires renovations.
Meanwhile, other affected businesses are finding temporary homes. Tadasana Yoga has found space at the Nederland Community Center, Hub Ned Flexible Space and Indian Peaks Lodge. Brightwood Music recently leased a new space. Columbine Family Care reopened on Oct. 22 at Poppy Plaza on 3rd Street. The Very Nice Brewing Company has leaned into its second location in Gilpin. Some, including O’Neil Rocky Mountain Art and the Tres Gringos restaurant, are still seeking assistance or new spaces.
Despite losing its space, Wild Bear’s outdoor-based programming meant much of its education work could continue. The day after the fire, staff led a field trip for students from Nederland Elementary School.
“That’s our staff, just, you know, making lemonade,” said Dreves.
For now, Wild Bear is still running school and troop field trips while reapplying for the state licenses needed to resume in-house programs. Community engagement manager Sam Tindall said the team expects approvals in time for November’s Nature Adventure Days, when local kids spend a day exploring the outdoors with Wild Bear educators.
Wild Bear has also accelerated its long-running capital campaign for a new, permanent facility near Mud Lake. The 8,500-square-foot building will be net-zero energy and include classrooms, outdoor playscapes, an amphitheater and access to 16 miles of trails.
The structure was untouched by the fire and is expected to open in fall 2026. Dreves said Wild Bear intends to complete the project debt-free. Of the $15 million needed, roughly $11.5 million has already been raised.
Following the fire, an anonymous donor offered a $150,000 matching challenge to boost recovery fundraising. As of Oct. 22, the campaign had brought in nearly $116,000 from more than 600 donors.
Local organizations — including TEENS, Inc., the Nederland Community Library and the community center — have offered space for Wild Bear programs in the interim.
“The community is tremendous,” Dreves said. “I just have great confidence that we’ll just continue getting stronger.”
Volunteer needs remain uncertain, but Dreves said financial contributions are critical as Wild Bear works to replace lost revenue while finishing construction of the new facility.
Offers have already poured in from residents hoping to donate new “animal ambassadors,” including a tortoise. Once the new building is ready, Dreves said, Wild Bear will set parameters for future animals they can host, as long as they help represent mountain ecology.
“I am forever moved by the generosity of the community and how much they care, and we need more of that,” Dreves said.
A memorial honoring the animals lost in the fire, including two cats from the O’Neil Rocky Mountain Art stained glass studio, will be held Saturday, Oct. 25, from 2 to 3 p.m. at Chipeta Park.