The WNC Nature Center received a $313,000 half-grant from the Buncombe County TDA. It seems a lot of zoo enthusiasts are generating room nights in Buncombe County. The center will use the money to change its entrance, and it is considering a new name. The center is more into animals than plants and rocks. It is, according to Director Chris Gentile, “a facility that offers a zoological experience,” but zoo conjures images of invasive species and confined animals. Perhaps a higher tourist tax could fund a consultant to help with an inclusive name-visioning process. On the bright side, the center does offer good educational experiences – much better than laboratory experiments with simulated animals on hand-held devices. Unfortunately, it is not self-funded, but relies largely on contributions from Asheville’s taxpayers.