Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
{{Short description|Nature preserve in Evansville, Indiana, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
| alt_name =
| iucn_category =
| photo = Wesselman Woods (5209578906).jpg
| photo_alt =
| photo_caption = Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, November 2010
| photo_width =
| map = USA Indiana#USA
| map_alt =
| map_caption = Map of Indiana
| map_width =
| location = Evansville, Indiana
| coordinates = {{coord|37|59|05|N|87|30|23|W|region:US-IN_dim:2000|display=inline,title}}
| area = {{convert|240|acre|km2}}
| established =
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| embedded = {{designation list | embed = yes
| designation1 = NNL
| designation1_date = 1973
}}
}}
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a {{convert|240|acre|km2|adj=on}} nature preserve located in Evansville, Indiana. It is a National Natural Landmark and a State Nature Preserve owned by the City of Evansville and operated by the non-profit Wesselman Nature Society.
The preserve consists of over {{convert|190|acre|km2}} of virgin bottomland hardwood forest complemented by an additional {{convert|50|acre|m2}} of younger forest, field, and pond. The woods consist of sweetgum, sugar maple, tulip tree, Shumard oak, and green ash throughout. It is the largest tract of virgin forest located inside any city limits in the United States.{{cite web | title=Wesselman Woods | publisher=Letterboxing North America | url=http://www.letterboxing.org/BoxView.php?boxnum=23497&boxname=Wesselman_Woods | access-date=2006-11-14}}
The oldest trees are over 400 years old. Among the largest of their species are 24 state champions and two county champions. One of the tallest trees in the state is a tulip tree located within the park. It is {{convert|147|ft|m}} tall with a {{convert|13.2|ft|m|adj=on}} circumference and {{convert|81|ft|m|adj=on}} canopy.{{cite news| title=And the new champ is... | publisher=Evansville Courier & Press | url=http://www.courierpress.com/news/2007/may/28/and-new-champ/ | access-date=2007-05-31}}
Animal species include squirrels, raccoons, gray foxes, coyote, and whitetail deer. The woods also serves as a refuge for a variety of woodpeckers and owls.
A nature center welcomes visitors with interactive exhibits, animals, special events, wildlife observation areas, educational programs, summer camps, and a {{convert|3|acre|km2|adj=on}} nature playscape. The woods offer a variety of hiking trails of varying distances. The amphitheater near Odonata Pond may also be rented for outdoor activities.
The Wesselman Nature Society also manages Howell Wetlands, a {{convert|23|acre|m2|adj=on}} wetlands property located at 1400 S. Tekoppel Avenue in the urban western area of Evansville.
The Wandering Owl
The Wandering Owl is an annual fall fundraiser held since 2009 in Wesselman Woods with all proceeds going towards Wesselman Woods. It is a 21-and-older event that features food, beer, wine, and live acoustic music, supported by local businesses.{{cite web|url=https://www.wevv.com/news/wandering-owl-twilight-tasting-fundraiser-returns-to-wesselman-woods/article_bd296c98-4044-11ed-a766-a7fb38ad45f0.html|title=Wandering Owl Twilight Tasting Fundraiser Returns to Wesselman Woods|publisher=WEVV}}
Evansville Community Backlash Against UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz and Leadership Over Environmental Land Sale
Under the leadership of UE President Christopher Pietruszkiewicz and the Board of Trustees, the University of Evansville (UE) faced significant criticism from the Evansville community over its handling of the sale of approximately 42 acres of land near Wesselman Woods. In January 2019, UE announced plans to sell this off-campus property to fund the construction of a new campus health and wellness center. This proposal alarmed supporters of Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, who feared that selling the land for commercial development would remove a valuable buffer zone between urban development and the preserve's old-growth forest, potentially harming its delicate ecosystem. Critics accused the administration of prioritizing financial gain over environmental and community concerns, which further damaged the university’s reputation. {{Cite news | last= | first= | title=Wesselman Woods supporters say UE land sale could hurt nature preserve | work=Evansville Courier & Press | date=March 7, 2019 | url=https://lebronwire.usatoday.com/story/news/local/2019/03/07/wesselman-woods-supporters-say-ue-land-sale-could-hurt-nature-preserve/3078666002/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}
The university’s lack of transparency throughout the process exacerbated tensions with the community. Despite widespread interest in ensuring the land's preservation, UE proceeded with legislative efforts to remove use restrictions on the land without adequately informing or consulting local stakeholders, including the Wesselman Nature Society. Meetings regarding the property were held without sufficient public input, leaving conservationists and local advocates feeling excluded and unheard. Additionally, the administration delayed negotiations with Wesselman Woods while continuing to explore potentially more lucrative commercial opportunities, raising concerns about their true intentions. Ultimately, after years of criticism and public pressure, UE sold the property to Wesselman Woods in 2023 for $2 million, a decision viewed as overdue and emblematic of a prolonged disregard for community priorities. {{Cite news | last= | first= | title=Room for Growth | work=Evansville Living Magazine | date=June 5, 2023 | url=https://www.evansvilleliving.com/room-for-growth/ | access-date=January 5, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://wesselmanwoods.org/ Wesselman Nature Society official site]
- [https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nnlandmarks/site.htm?Site=WEPA-IN Wesselman Park Woods] National Park Service
{{National Natural Landmarks in Indiana}}
{{Evansville, Indiana}}{{Protected areas of Indiana}}{{authority control}}
Category:Geography of Evansville, Indiana
Category:Nature reserves in Indiana
Category:Parks in Southwestern Indiana
Category:National Natural Landmarks in Indiana
Category:Nature centers in Indiana