Wesselman Woods

We are so excited to introduce you all to the brand new Executive Director at Wesselman Woods ?? Meet Amy Rhodes! Originally from Noblesville, Indiana, Amy Rhodes first experienced the majesty of Wesselman Woods when she visited as an undergraduate student at the University of Evansville in the early 90s. Thirty years later, Amy returned to Evansville with her husband, local artist Kevin Titzer, and now finds herself stepping into the position of Executive Director of the nation’s largest urban old-growth forest. “I am honored to accept this leadership role and thrilled by the opportunity to collaborate with a passionate board of directors, talented staff, dedicated volunteers, and supportive members all working for the same mission of connecting people to nature and protecting this very special place.” Find out all about Amy's impressive background on our blog, wesselmanwoods.org/blog ?? Make sure to stop by and meet her in person soon!

?? This is your forest ?? Help us continue to sustain and maintain this special place for generations to come by donating to our $30,000 end-of-year match campaign! Your investment in Wesselman Woods helps us combat climate change at the local level, inspire and inform the next generation of environmental stewards, and protect local wildlife. ?? We invite you to renew your commitment today by making a donation, volunteering your time, or sharing our mission with friends and family. Donations for our end-of-year campaign are being matched up to $30,000, so your impact will be doubled. Please consider giving to help the future of your forest. ?? Your dedication and love for this unique ecosystem are the driving forces behind our success. Remember, this is your forest – let’s protect, preserve, and sustain it together. Thank you for being a part of this journey! ?? Learn more about how your dollars impact the success of our mission below.bit.ly/EofYGiving

Interested in the connections between various religions and Ecology? Then we invite you to embark on a journey of learning, questioning, and reflecting. In 2024, Wesselman Woods is partnering with Tri-State Creation Care to focus on an overarching theme: Religion and Ecology. Throughout 2024, the Night Owls Series will present a diverse lineup of speakers, each representing a different religious or spiritual pathway. Our aim is to foster a deeper understanding of the various beliefs and practices that shape our community and their relationship with the natural world. By engaging with new perspectives, we hope to bridge divides and cultivate a sense of unity in our shared commitment to environmental stewardship, advocacy, and justice. November 14th will include the United Church of Christ. Reserve your tickets below! bit.ly/3NYhLyj

Are you ready to makes some bids for a good cause? ? The Wesselman Woods online silent auction begins TODAY! ? Get registered now and start bidding on local goods, local art, native plants, and unique experiences ?? app.galabid.com/wo2024 The Wandering Owl silent auction will take place online again this year and bidding will be open to from today (10/19) to 5 PM Sunday, October 20. This year's auction features Art With A Purpose from USI students, artworks from our art exhibition, gift baskets from local stores, special Wesselman Woods experiences, fun tick packages, and more! All proceeds from sales will go to the important work we do at Wesselman Woods ?? Bid now and support our mission to connect people and nature!

So thrilled at the lineup for Wandering Owl tomorrow ?? Check out who's coming to Wesselman Woods this Saturday (10/19) for our annual fall fundraiser! And yes: There's still time to get tickets ????? [ bit.ly/wwowl24 ] or or sign up to be a volunteer ???? [ bit.ly/wowlvol24 ] See you at the Owl! ?? ?? Food and Drinks ?? Kiplee’s - Osaka Restaurant - Pie Pan - Turoni’s Pizzery & Brewery - Granola Jar - La Campirana - Roberts by the River - Sazon y Fuego - Schnucks - Westside Improvement Association - Yak and Yeti ?? Other Event Elements ?? Haynie’s Corner Brewing Company - Hymn & Herd Winery - Ohio Valley Homebrewers Association - Winzerwald Winery - Working Distributors ?? Auction Item Donors ?? Ancient Roots Native Nursery - 100 Percent Pickled - The Bay House - Corkscrew Curiosities - Gaming Guild - Lincoln Amphitheatre - Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden - New Harmony Native Trees - Random Acts of Extra - Vertical Excape - USI Art Department - USI Biology ? Special THANK YOU to Andrew Layer (photographer), Colonial Classics, and Sunbelt Rentals for contributing to the event, as well!

?? REMINDER! ?? Wesselman Woods will be closed this Friday and Saturday, October 18 and 19, for Wandering Owl preparations. Even though we are closed, you don't have to miss out on nature! ?? Join us at the event ??? [ bit.ly/wwowl24 ] or volunteer to help make it a huge success ?? [ bit.ly/wowlvol24 ].

A few views from Wesselman Woods and our growing prairie to start your day ?? (1) Monarch Butterfly Caterpillar, (2) Maximillian Sunflower, (3) Purple Coneflower, (4) Central Rat Snake, (5) New England Aster

?? Upcoming Closure for Construction: October 7-14 ?? If you didn't see our email, here's your warning! As a part of our ongoing accessibility project at Wesselman Woods, we will be closed next week (from October 7-14) for construction to the trails, the trail doors, and the pathway to the Welborn Baptist Foundation Nature Playscape. This period of time (during the Fall Festival) is historically a slower period for admission, making it the best time to do this work. Construction will include pouring concrete, installing a new door, and adding more boardwalks. This continued work toward more accessible pathways is made possible thanks to our amazing partners at Alcoa Foundation and Methodist Temple UMC! Thank you for helping us help others enjoy nature ??

Thank you Wesselmen Woods for having us! If you haven’t checked it out, you NEED to go see the new treehouse house.

Zach Garcia, Executive Director of Wesselman Woods, is announcing his decision to step down from this role after two years of service. Zach began his journey at WW in 2019 as Director of Education, later serving as Associate Executive Director before taking the helm as Executive Director in January 2022. “In just five years, Wesselman Woods has evolved into something truly special. The organization I joined in 2019 is not the same one we see today. We have achieved a new level of stability that allows us to innovate and grow. My time here has been incredible—I have cherished every moment of this transformative chapter for the organization.” Read more about this news on our website: wesselmanwoods.org/blog