300 Wishes granted
In 2025 we celebrated our 300th wish granted to children visiting through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, an honor that sits at the very heart of why we exist.
Wishes made real
Nurtured by Nature is a proud wish-granting partner of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. When a child with a critical illness wishes to meet our animals, we welcome them and their family for a day built entirely around joy.
Since 2008 we have donated approximately $1.5 million in in-kind otter encounters to Make-A-Wish families, and protecting that capacity is one reason our public programs run on a limited basis.
A day to remember
Running from late morning into the afternoon, each wish day can bring children face to face with animals like foxes, a two-toed sloth, armadillos, lemurs, capybaras, and kangaroos, often with a gentle encounter with our Asian small-clawed otters in a heated pool. Which animals join the day depends on who is comfortable and available, so every wish day is a little different and we plan each one with the family beforehand.
Along the way our team shares each animal's story, its habitat, and how our choices shape the natural world, so wonder and learning go hand in hand.
300+
Wishes granted
$1.5M+
In-kind since 2008
2008
Partners ever since
Make a wish come true
Your gift helps us welcome more wish families for the day of their dreams. Wishes are arranged through the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Make-A-Wish and its marks are trademarks of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Nurtured by Nature is an independent wish-granting partner and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Foundation.