About Us

Wesselman Nature Society

The Wesselman Nature Society utilizes area woodlands, wetlands, and waterways as educational resources, outdoor classrooms, and learning laboratories for educators and students of Southwest Indiana and beyond. Through these opportunities, visitors and program participants may find a greater understanding and enjoyment of natural and cultural resources both inside and outside the boundaries of protected sites. The Wesselman Nature Society was founded in 1973 for the purpose of protecting the nearly 200 acre tract in Evansville, Indiana now known as Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. Today this 501c (3) not-for-profit organization is responsible for the preservation, management, and daily operations of Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, Howell Wetlands, and Canoe Evansville.

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a State Nature Preserve and National Natural Landmark managed by the Wesselman Nature Society. This old-growth lowland forest is one of the regions most densely tree and plant populations and is a crucial habitat for native mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and birds. A Nature Center on the western edge of the property offers hands on educational exhibits and a wildlife observation area. On-site programs are offered to school, civic, and scout groups throughout the year. No other city in the United States with a population exceeding 100,000 has within its corporate limits, a timber stand of such acreage and sylvan qualities.  

Howell Wetlands

Howell Wetlands is a 35-acre urban wetland showcasing a diversity of wetland habitats including a marsh, a cypress slough, an oxbow channel, as well as the surrounding prairie and bottomland hardwood forest. Howell provides habitat for beaver, waterfowl and the rare green tree frog, among many others. Howell Wetlands is owned by the City of Evansville and managed by the Wesselman Nature Society.

Canoe Evansville

Canoe Evansville offers safe passage canoe trips on Pigeon Creek and other area waterways as trained guides provide meaningful, enjoyable outdoor learning experiences. Participants are guided on how to safely enjoy our waterways and educated about the wildlife that live in this precious, riparian habitat. Canoe Evansville is an educational program managed by Wesselman Nature Society.

Special Events

Spring

Wesselman Nature Society's Green Tea Event

Around St. Patricks Day Wesselman Nature Society invites everyone to come enjoy the natural surroundings, the great company, the scrumptious food, and some delicious green tea!

Support Wesselman Nature Society by attending, and learn more about “green” sustainability initiatives and what you can do to help.

Earth Day at Howell Wetlands

Join us for Earth Day at Howell Wetlands, an opportunity to celebrate this annual environmental focus in one of our city's most biodiverse urban green spaces. Festivities will include kids crafts and games, waterbug fishing, recycling demonstrations, and a scavenger hunt. Naturalists will also be on hand to host animal encounter programs and guided hikes through the wetlands. Annual event partners-such as Evansville Audobon Society, Southwest Indiana Master Gardener Association, and Southwest Indiana Master Naturalist Association-participate by offering event-related education stations. The Earth Day at Howell Wetlands held in mid April on the Saturday nearest Earth Day.

Fall

Wandering Owl Wine & Bourbon Trail

Join WNS every fall for a signature “earthy” gala, the Wandering Owl Wine & Bourbon Trail at southwestern Indiana’s most beautiful fall destination. Spend a casual evening in Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve and stroll along the trails between the Nature Center and Odonata Pond, stopping along the way to taste the best wine & bourbon from local restaurants and caterers.

Harvest Festival & Hayrides 

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is the place to be in the fall for seasonal family fun! Every October, Wesselman Nature Society hosts Harvest Festival and Hayrides at Wesselman Woods, a one of a kind family festival featuring seasonal activities such as hayrides, leaf rubbing, live animal encounters, holiday crafts, an autumn campfire, owl prowl hikes, and more. This is a great opportunity for families and friends to enjoy the high point of the colorful fall season at Evansville’s most pristine old growth forest.

Wesselman Park is closed to traffic during the event, while festival goers enjoy a hayride past Halloween-theme displays. The ride will stop at the entrance of Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve where visitors hop off the wagon and enter an atmosphere that will excite children and offer a nostalgic and fun experience for parents as well. Meanwhile, hayrides will continually circle the park for those who just want to relax and soak up the autumn scenery. Delicious treats are also available for purchase throughout the evening.

Winter

Maple Sugarbush and Pancake Festival

You and your family will have an opportunity to sample some of our home grown maple syrup from Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve during the Maple Sugarbush Festival and Pancake Breakfast.

This event is a celebration of the maple sugar harvest from the trees of the Preserve. Visitors of all ages will be guided through the woods to observe how sap harvested from the sugar maple trees becomes the pure maple syrup that we all love to pour over hotcakes. Each visitor is served a hearty breakfast that includes sausage, all-you-can-eat pancakes with pure maple syrup from one of Indiana's own maple sugarbushes, and a beverage.

The Maple Sugarbush Festival and Pancake Breakfast is a two-day event that is made possible through the participation of Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve staff and over 80 volunteers. Trees in the Preserve have been tapped since the early 70’s, and the Sugarbush festival has been an annual celebration for over thirty years.

Contact Information

Executive Director/CEO
Kim Meadors
Phone: (812) 479-0771, ext. 101
kmeadors@wesselmannaturesociety.org

Director of Operations and Finance
Susan Haislip
Phone: (812) 479-0771, ext. 100
shaislip@wesselmannaturesociety.org

Director of Marketing & Communications
Aaron Chenoweth
Phone: (812) 479-0771, ext. 106
achenoweth@wesselmannaturesociety.org

Director of Education
Lauren Preske
Phone: (812) 479-0771, ext. 139
lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org

Program Naturalist
Neal Bogan
Phone: (812) 479-0771, ext. 105
nbogan@wesselmannaturesociety.org

Development Coordinator
Stephanie Mosbacher
Phone: (812) 479-0771, ext. 107
smosbacher@wesselmannaturesociety.org