News - Grandfather Mountain

Give a Beary Warm Welcome to our Newest Black Bear: Fanny May

Apr 14, 2022

Grandfather Mountain, the not-for-profit nature park run by the Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, is welcoming a new member to its family of beloved animals in the Mildred the Bear Animal Habitats: Fanny May, a five-year-old black bear with a big...

From the Ground Up: Wilson Center Construction

Mar 24, 2022

Follow the construction progress of the new Wilson Center for Nature Discovery, featuring all new state-of-the-art museum exhibits (designed by PGAV Destinations of St. Louis, Missouri), as well as outdoor learning spaces, an amphitheater, botanical garden and...

High Country Charitable Foundation grant makes a splash with new bear pond

Mar 23, 2022

The coming of spring marks changes in the behavior of animals on Grandfather Mountain. For bears, they begin to move around and emerge from a long winter’s rest. In winter, of course, they need to stay warm. But as temperatures rise, a challenge for them is to stay...

Grandfather Mountain’s 2021 Weather in Review

Feb 17, 2022

Despite its extraordinary views, Grandfather Mountain experienced a somewhat ordinary year of weather in 2021. According to data collected at the National Weather Service reporting station near the Mile High Swinging Bridge, the nonprofit nature park saw average...

Mountains of foliage: What does Grandfather Mountain do with its fallen leaves?

Nov 9, 2021

Autumn at Grandfather Mountain draws visitors from across the country to witness the vibrant changing of the leaves, as hues of yellow, orange and red cascade down the mountain. Many of these visitors take vacation to behold the seasonal spectacle, but for members of...

Grandfather Mountain celebrates peregrine falcon nesting

Aug 10, 2021

At its tallest point, Grandfather Mountain stands 5,946 feet above sea level. But the nonprofit nature park’s latest conservation efforts soar to even loftier heights. In conjunction with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, park naturalists have confirmed the...

Grandfather Mountain remembers Winston Church

Jun 29, 2021

Pictured: Grandfather Mountain mourns the loss of Winston Church, pictured here with Mildred the Bear. Photos by Hugh Morton | Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation There are men, and there are mountains. With the late Winston Church, however, any difference...

May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center releases two broad-winged hawks at Grandfather Mountain

May 22, 2021

By Emily Webb, Lees-McRae College Two broad-winged hawks took to the skies over Grandfather Mountain’s MacRae Meadows after a successful release by the Lees-McRae College‘s May Wildlife Rehabilitation Center staff on Friday, May 21. A...

Grandfather Mountain mourns the loss of Gerry the black bear

Jun 23, 2020

Photo by Deborah Anderson On Saturday, June 20, Grandfather Mountain bid farewell to Gerry the black bear. Gerry was humanely euthanized following a long history of debilitating arthritis. She was 31 years old. In the wild, black bears live into their early 20s,...

Audubon, DEQ Sec. Regan, Grandfather Mountain officials talk climate threats in WNC

Nov 14, 2019

Dozens of nature lovers and bird advocates braved the wintry weather Wednesday to hear officials from Audubon North Carolina and Grandfather Mountain talk with N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Michael S. Regan about the climate challenges facing...