Community Partners
It takes more than a body of staff and volunteers to protect this special place for future generations. We rely on the support of our community and charitable organizations to help preserve and protect both Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands.
With donations and sponsorships from community partners like those mentioned below, Wesselman Nature Society can continue its overarching vision to connect people and nature in meaningful ways.
Alcoa Foundation
Alcoa Foundation’s mission is to invest where Alcoa has a presence, partnering with communities to address local needs in a sustainable manner. Their corporate giving strategy and targeted employee volunteerism efforts are focused on doing the best for those who live and work in the places we call home.
Philanthropic efforts by the Foundation are focused on support for programs that complement sustainability initiatives. Working together with our nonprofit partners, Alcoa Foundation contributes to programs that protect and preserve the environment while also promoting equitable access to education and skills-building opportunities.
Throughout the years, the Alcoa Foundation has been a consistent community partner with Wesselman Woods, providing invaluable volunteer assistance in addition to monetary donations!
In 2023 and 2024, they donated tens of thousands of dollars toward our ongoing accessibility projects involving raised boardwalks, an automatic door leading to the trails, and the creation of an accessible pathway from the Nature Center to the Welborn Baptist Foundation Nature Playscape.
Centerpoint Energy Foundation
The CenterPoint Energy Foundation strives to be a catalyst in our communities by leveraging everyday opportunities and resources to achieve extraordinary outcomes. We invest in initiatives that improve lives today while helping build a strong foundation for tomorrow.
The Foundation is proud to support the recent renovation of the Raptor Mews through a Community Vitality grant. This project creates a safer, enhanced habitat for the animal ambassadors who inspire thousands of visitors each year.
This investment reflects our commitment to local impact and environmental stewardship, preserving the communities we serve for future generations through conservation and environmental education. By strengthening the home of these ambassadors, we’re helping future generations connect with the biodiversity that makes Wesselman Woods such a special place.
Window World of Evansville
Evansville's Exterior Remodeler. Window World of Evansville installs energy-efficient windows, doors, siding, and more for homeowners throughout southeast Indianapolis, northwest Kentucky and southeast Illinois. They rank highest in Customer Satisfaction among Window and Patio Door Retailers and #1 in Price, Ordering and Delivery, Sales Staff and Service by J.D. Power.
For the third year in a row, we are proud to have ALL of our events sponsored by Joe Bush and his team at our local Window World (located right next to Wesselman Woods)! Stop by 4001 Vogel Road and show your support or visit their website to find your all of your window, siding, and roofing needs.
Romain Subaru
Subaru Loves the Earth: At Subaru, we believe what we leave behind is a reflection of who we are. That's why Subaru and our retailers partner with the Arbor Day Foundation (TM) to provide and distribute 100,000 regionally appropriate trees across the country. We're proud to establish the largest corporate tree distribution ever. Through this and other Subaru Loves the Earth initiatives, Subaru and our retailers have helped distribute and plant over 1.1 million trees.
Romain Subaru has a long-established relationship with Wesselman Woods, supporting major events for many years! In 2026, they sponsored the Maple Sugarbush Festival, an admission-free weekend, and they became our Title Sponsor for Earth Day!
Ancient Roots Native Nursery
Ancient Roots is a small family-owned business whose adventure began with the desire to restore personal property back to nature by using native plants that have evolved with the wildlife. In doing so, they learned how devastating invasive species and forest deprivation is to the native wildlife and our planet. Out of this growing knowledge became a passion to create beautiful, natural, ecological landscapes and habitats.
Their mission is to promote the necessity of native plants to people, wildlife and the ecosystem. Ancient Roots helps create beautiful landscapes to be enjoyed for years to come that will support birds, butterflies, pollinators and more. Birds and pollinators can be invited into even the smallest yards.
Visit their website to learn more or follow them on Facebook!
Ancient Roots will be donating the cost of consultation for the massive reforestation project on the former Par 3 golf course in Wesselman Woods, as well as the cost of germinating native seeds to be planted there.
Methodist Temple: United Methodist Church
Methodist Temple first crossed paths with Wesselman Woods when they chose to sponsor the cost of a family membership for every family and every teacher at Harper Elementary. This incredible partnership was just the beginning!
From 2023-2025, Methodist Temple sponsored ALL of our major events — the Maple Sugarbush Festival, Earth Day, and Woodland Wonders. In 2026, they will sponsor Earth Day and an admission-free weekend.
In 2024, Methodist Temple also donated critical funding to establish the new accessible pathway from the Nature Center to the Welborn Baptist Foundation Nature Playscape.
Their support makes a huge difference. You can learn more about the great work of Methodist Temple when you visit their website.
Follow them on Facebook to keep up with their latest news and events!
AARP
Wesselman Woods was selected to receive a 2023 AARP Community Challenge grant. We were one of only 310 grantees selected (out of over 3,600 applications) from across all 50 states, Washington D.C, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands!
With this quick-action grant, we improved the 0.12-mile Mini-Loop Trail for persons with limited mobility.
About the Community Challenge
The AARP Community Challenge grant program funds innovative, quick-action projects that inspire change in areas such as public places; housing; transportation; diversity, equity, and inclusion; digital connections; community resilience; and more. With additional funding support from Toyota Motor North America, the program is also increasing its investment in projects that improve mobility innovation and transportation options.
This is all part of AARP’s nationwide work on livable communities, which supports the efforts of neighborhoods, towns, cities, and counties across the country to become great places for all. AARP believes that communities should provide safe, walkable streets; affordable and accessible housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents to participate in community life.
To learn more about the projects being funded by the AARP Community Challenge across the nation, including all 310 granted projects this year, visit aarp.org/CommunityChallenge. You can also view an interactive map of all Community Challenge projects and AARP’s Livable Communities work at aarp.org/livable.
Velocity Fitness
Damien Burge and his team offered free yoga sessions at Wesselman Woods from 2023-2025.
His company, Velocity Fitness, offers many fitness courses and they host multiple events in Wesselman Park that help support the mission of Wesselman Woods, including their annual Mindfulness Retreat, Fitness Fair, and Zombie Run 5K.
Damien started Martial Hearts, the only non-profit in the tristate that focuses on connecting youth with various schools in the area. We were founded by martial artists to help spread the value training can bring.
Wild Birds Unlimited
Wild Birds Unlimited provides bird seed to Wesselman Woods for our bird viewing area.
Their store is locally owned and operated by folks living right here in the community. Your MyWBU order is handled by the same staff you see when you shop our Wild Birds Unlimited retail location.
They are proud to provide the highest quality bird feeding products available anywhere...backed with expert advice to help you bring the joy of bird feeding into your backyard.