Old-Growth Gazette: June 2025
Wesselman Woods outdoor mural by Mya Hatfield
Our mission is to preserve and protect Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands for future generations through conservation, education, research, and by providing equal access to nature.
A Word from the Executive Director
What is on the horizon for Wesselman Woods?
Mews News
This summer, you may find baby turtles are hatching in your yard. What should you do?
Development Updates
Have you seen our Impact Report? Want to know what kind of impact we made on the community last year?
Natural Resources
Mutualistic relationships are present in so many aspects of our forest! Read more about one type in this departmental update.
Environmental Education
Two summer camps are completed and three more to go. Find out how you can help the camps finish strong.
A Word from the Executive Director
Amy presents at the West Meadow press conference on May 30, 2025
It’s been a wonderful first six months for me here at Wesselman Woods! Like so many who pass through the gates of this treasured preserve, I’ve felt truly welcomed and connected to something greater than myself. Surrounded by ancient giants that have stood for centuries, we are reminded daily of the strength and resilience found in nature—resilience that inspires us in our ever-changing world.
To me, Wesselman Woods is more than a preserve; it’s a natural community center, where humans are just one part of a rich, diverse ecosystem. First-time visitors are often awestruck by the towering 200- to 300-year-old trees that rise above our 200+ acres, just minutes from downtown Evansville. Return visitors—some revisiting for the first time since childhood—are delighted by the changes, including the Arwood Family Treehouse and new boardwalks that increase accessibility.
Here, people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities, and beliefs are invited to explore a truly unique national natural landmark. In doing so, they often discover something else—a shared appreciation for this rare old-growth forest and for each other.
While walking the Main Trail last week, I paused at a familiar sign that reads:
"I come here to find myself. It’s easy to get lost in the world."
– John Burroughs
As I read it again, now with the perspective of serving as executive director of this deeply rooted and impactful organization, I found myself wondering: How many others have found solace in those words? How many lives has Wesselman Nature Society touched in its 53-year history? And perhaps most importantly—how much easier is it now to feel lost in today’s fast-paced, digital world?
Wesselman Woods protects more than an ancient forest—it protects a space where people can reconnect with themselves, with each other, and with the natural world. At a time when so many feel overwhelmed by the news or isolated by modern life, this preserve offers the chance to slow down, reflect, and feel part of a living, breathing community.
We invite you to visit, volunteer, or become a member of this extraordinary place. We look forward to welcoming you!
Sincerely,
Amy Rhodes
Executive Director, Wesselman Woods
Mews News
Baby common snapping turtle
Lil’ Turtles
Baby turtles are amazing, adorable animals. They emerge into the world with their siblings and must navigate life’s hazards with no parental safety net. These little turtles are not well-equipped for the modern world, but we can help them!
Mother turtles are understandably picky about where to leave their eggs. In Indiana, egg-laying typically occurs from late spring through early summer (May-July). They are looking for space with loose soil, good drainage, and good sun exposure. Once they lay the eggs, turtles can’t just pick them up and move them so everything has to be just right!
If your yard is chosen to be one of these special places, don’t disturb the mother or the eggs. After mother has left, you can secure a mesh cage over the nest (because sun and rain access are VERY important) and this will guard against predators like dogs, raccoons, and foxes. After about 2-3 months, the babies will hatch so make sure there are large enough gaps for them to exit. Heads up: Some turtles may overwinter in the nest and emerge the following spring (which is perfectly normal).
After hatching, the babies will disperse and inevitably encounter obstacles as they look for a place to grow up. If you see a turtle crossing a road, you can carry them across in the direction they were facing. Set them on their way beyond the shoulder. Instinct will guide them from there.
They’re cute but do not take turtles (or their eggs) home. It is illegal to collect many native turtle species from the wild, including all box turtles, and some are state endangered. Removing them from the wild harms the overall population.
Development Updates
In our recently published 2024 Impact Report, we share what we hope will be the journey that many will take as they fall in love with this ancient forest that we call Wesselman Woods.
What’s that journey like?
Guest
Most people start as a guest who visits Wesselman Woods - maybe once or maybe many times!
Program Attendee + Volunteer
After you’ve hit the trails a few times, we hope to encourage you to attend or volunteer at one of our many educational programs or events.
Volunteers provide vital support to the staff at events and on our busy weekends.
Member
If you love our programs, love the trails, and love the Nature Playscape - maybe you’ll become a Member and support our ongoing work. Members receive plenty of discounts and perks!
Donor
Ultimately, we hope your journey will lead you to becoming a donor. Donations are the lifeblood of any non-profit!
Some people even choose to remember Wesselman Woods in their planned giving and become one of our Old-Growth Legacy Champions.
Everyone’s journey will be different, but we are seeking to establish a culture where people become more than a consumer of nature but an investor who believes we each need to play a role in ensuring the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States is here for our children and grandchildren. A list of these “Eco-Partners” can be found on pages 24-27 of the Impact Report.
We encourage you to ask the front desk for a copy of the Impact Report the next time you are in or see the digital version and download a copy on our website.
(Don’t miss the news about the brand new Pettijohn Family Environmental Education Fund [page 9] and the Wesselman Woods Natural Resources Fund [page 19]! Contact Director of Development, Jerry Rairdon, if you would like to contribute to these funds.)
Natural Resources
Mighty Oaks and Mutualisms
Oaks are more than just towering trees – they are foundational to the health and resilience of our forests. At Wesselman Woods, we are fortunate to have 12 species of oaks – an astonishing level of diversity in a relatively small area.
As a keystone species, oaks support an incredibly high diversity of life and, with 12 species present, the oaks of this forest give life to so much of the surrounding ecosystem.
Their acorns are a vital food source for mammals and birds
Their leaves host more caterpillar species than any other tree genus in North America, feeding countless songbirds during the nesting season.
Even their leaf litter plays a critical role! The fallen leaves form a thick, insulating layer atop the soil, taking up to 3 years to fully decompose. This layer helps maintain soil moisture and support a thriving community of fungi, microbes, and invertebrates.
Not only do these trees have an important relationship with the broader ecosystem, but they have a fascinating ecological ally – the blue jay. These clever birds help distribute oaks by caching acorns across the landscape. A single blue jay can carry up to five acorns at a time and may transport and bury thousands of them across many square miles during a single season. Because they forget about 75% of their cached acorns, they unintentionally plant the next generation of oaks!
So, the next time you stop to admire an oak tree, make sure to thank the oak for all the life it supports… but don’t forget to thank a blue jay, too!
Environmental Education
Summer camps are in full swing!
The forest has been filled with discovery, laughter, and muddy boots this summer as we welcomed our first two groups of campers for a season of wild wonder! During Junior Forest Rangers and Critter Quest, our campers explored the woods with the kind of wide-eyed curiosity only children can bring—meeting our animal ambassadors with genuine awe, asking questions adults might never think to ask, and finding magic in every leaf and log. They remind us all that nature is the best classroom.
This kind of hands-on environmental education wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of our community. Last month, we posted online that we needed assistance with our snacks and supplies for the camps and you all heeded the call! A heartfelt thank you to everyone who donated snack supplies, gave monetary gifts, or helped us check off items from our Environmental Education wishlist. We’d like to make a specific call out to our friends at On the Spot Utilities for coming through with a gift of $300 toward our camp supplies!
Each of you have helped our campers stay fueled, focused, and full of joy.
But we’re just getting started—three more camps are on the horizon, and we’re excited to welcome even more young explorers into the woods. Want to help us continue connecting kids to nature? Consider supporting our Eco-Access Initiative, which helps provide nature education opportunities for children of all backgrounds or check out our Environmental Education Wishlist to see what supplies our classroom and camps are missing.