Our mission is to create experiences which connect people with nature, motivate them to lead sustainable lives, and take action to protect wildlife and wild places. We look forward to having you join us on this journey!

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Wesselman Woods names new Executive Director

The board members of Wesselman Woods (WW) have selected Zach Garcia as our newest Executive Director.

Beginning February 1, Zach will succeed Robin Johnston-Deem who has served as Executive Director since early 2020. Robin announced her departure to WW staff, board, and volunteers in November with plans to venture out West to be closer to family.

Zach has served as Associate Executive Director of WW since January 2021, previously serving as Director of Natural Resources, Education, and Research.

“I discovered early on that nature is a celebration to be shared with everyone. My personal and professional mission is to connect people to nature. As such, I am humbled and honored to become the next Executive Director at Wesselman Woods. What a privilege to steward the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States. We are truly fortunate to have this rare ecosystem nestled in the middle of Evansville,” Zach said.

He received his master’s degree in Environmental Management from the Yale School of the Environment. During his time at Yale, Zach focused on environmental humanities and forestry. He is also a Returned Peace Corp volunteer having served in Nepal from 2014-2017 as a Food Security and Environmental Education Specialist.

Robin adds, “It has been an honor to serve as the Executive Director of Wesselman Woods over the past two years. I am deeply grateful to the staff, board of directors, volunteers, and community for welcoming me into the Wesselman Woods family. The organization is well-positioned to grow over the next few years and Zach will undoubtedly take it to new heights. We are lucky to have him at the helm as Wesselman Woods expands into the next 50 years!”

Zach takes over as we enters our 50th anniversary as a not-for-profit organization. To keep up with this year’s events or learn more about how you can get involved with Wesselman Woods, visit our Get Involved page.

Events

Maple Sugarbush Festival and Pancake Breakfast

March 5 and 6・7 AM to 1 PM
- The pancake breakfast is BACK and we can't wait to share the secrets of sap and syrup with you. The breakfast will look different this year, including reduced capacity, eating time slots, and mask requirements.
  Read more about this year's festival and buy your tickets now to reserve your preferred time!

Save the Date!

April 2022
- Earth Day Celebrations at Howell Wetlands・April 22-24
- Going Green on the Green Golf Scramble Benefit・Monday, April 25
  - Interested in securing a spot for your golf team? See our sponsorship sheet!

Our resident animal ambassador, Lloyd, the Eastern Gray Squirrel

Mews News

National Squirrel Appreciation Day

They’re furry, they scurry, they’re cute, and they loot. We see those bright-eyed and bushy-tailed critters everywhere! Squirrels are one of the most recognized creatures that we see in our neighborhoods, but these little tree climbers are so much more than bandits at the bird feeder buffet.

Indiana is home to three different squirrel species: fox squirrels, eastern gray squirrels, and southern flying squirrels.

Eastern gray squirrels, in particular, are stewards of the forest and have a huge impact in forest composition, ecosystem, and regeneration. They sort out healthy, viable seeds and nuts and bury them to eat later. These squirrels recover some of the seeds they’ve buried but they also leave many seeds behind, effectively planting new trees away from the canopy cover of the mother tree! They are seed dispersers who prefer to work with masts, which is the the fruit (nuts) of trees like oaks and hickories. Over time, squirrels can really change the composition of the forest.

Squirrels are also an integral part of the food web, providing a steady food source for many predator species such as hawks, owls, foxes, bobcats, and more.

Take some time today to sit back and appreciate, celebrate, and honor your local neighborhood squirrels… or take some time out to come and see the squirrels running around in our forest at Wesselman Woods!

Eco-Learning

Indiana Master Naturalist Programs

Wesselman Woods gives adults the opportunity to become state-certified Indiana Master Naturalists (IMN) through a 12-week program. New in 2022: WW is also offering Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist (AIMN) courses for those who have already completed their IMN certification or want to join for fun.

In the 12-week IMN course, participants will expand their knowledge on local flora, fauna, and ecological processes. This intensive introductory series offers adults the chance to discover nature and service learning with the support from local researchers, professors, and environmental practitioners. Those who complete the certification process must take a final exam and complete 24 hours of service.

Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist (AIMN) is a yearly certification for IMN participants. At Wesselman Woods (WW) we offer four AIMN courses throughout the year including Sugar Maple Tapping Workshop, Climate Change, Interpretation, and Environmental Chemistry. The requirements for AIMN is to volunteer 30 hours annually and complete 8 hours of education time annually.

Junior Forest League

If you're interested in becoming a part of these immersive classes, please visit our website for more information.

Junior Forest League (JFL) is a monthly program which focuses on various environmental topics specific to Southern Indiana. League members will have the chance to engage with their local ecosystem, collaborate with like-minded Evansville peers, and most importantly, participate in fun team building activities and games.

Tulip League: Ages 6-9, First Saturday of each month (February 5, March 12*, April 2)
Maple League: Ages 9-12, Second Saturday of each month (February 12, March 19*, April 9)

*Adjusted for an event

Register Today

Destination Discovery

Adventures await the kids this spring break at Destination Discovery! Get the kids out of the house and out on the town to explore our local cultural treasures. Each host will offer campers a day of interactive activities so they can play and learn with new friends!

March 21-25, 2022
9 AM - 4 PM

Register your camper for one or more days at various host locations.

March 21: Angel Mounds State Historic Site OR Children's Museum of Evansville
March 22: Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden OR Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
March 23: Children's Museum of Evansville OR Evansville Museum of Science, Art, & History
March 24: Evansville Museum of Science, Art, & History OR Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden
March 25: Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve OR Angel Mounds State Historic Site

Learn More

Nature News: New Year Reflections

*Walking the snowy boardwalk at Wesselman Woods*

by Wesselman Woods volunteer, Paul H.

For many people this is the time of year for reflection. Finding joy in those things that went well. Regretting those things that didn’t go as well as expected. Planning for the future.

Southern Indiana and Wesselman Woods have plenty of history on which to reflect. It all started about 13,000 years ago, when the first humans arrived in Indiana. Around 1100, a town known today as Angel Mounds, was established on the Ohio River by the People of the Mississippian Culture. In 1669, the first Europeans visited this area and 143 years later, the City of Evansville was founded.

In 1847, William H. Stockwell purchased the land which includes Wesselman Woods and in 1919 the State of Indiana purchased Stockwell Woods. In 1963, Senator Albert Wesselman persuaded the State to gift 200 acres of Stockwell Woods to the city of Evansville. The land was renamed Wesselman Woods in his honor.

In 1972, the Wesselman Park Nature Center Society Inc. was formed to protect and promote this tract of land. In 1974 it was designated as a Nature Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior.

These past few years have seen several physical updates to the Nature Preserve. Trail markers have been updated and educational signs on the trails were replaced as previous ones have started to show their age. New benches were placed in the mews area to accommodate those wishing to participate in the Animal Encounters program.

This year, 2022, marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the Wesselman Park Nature Center Society Inc. Stay tuned as those years are remembered in pictures and special events.

Looking forward into the future, Wesselman Woods is in the process of developing a brand new Strategic Plan for the property. This plan will help guide future stewards of this land as to the wisest use of the available resources to help fulfill Wesselman Woods current mission:

“… to create experiences that connect people with nature, motivate them to lead sustainable lives and take action to protect wildlife and wild place.”

“As the year comes to a close, it is a time for reflection – a time to release old thoughts and beliefs and forgive old hurts. Whatever has happened in the past year, the New Year brings fresh beginnings. Exciting new experiences and relationships await. Let us be thankful for the blessings of the past and the promise of the future.” ― Peggy Toney Horton

To learn more about the history of Wesselman Woods and keep up with current affairs, visit our calendar or subscribe to our newsletter.

Old-Growth Gazette: January 2022