Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, November 2010
Map of Indiana Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve (the United States)
Location	Evansville, Indiana
Coordinates	37°59′05″N 87°30′22″W
Area	240 acres (0.97 km2)
U.S. National Natural Landmark
Designated	1973

Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a 240-acre (0.97 km²) 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 190 acres (0.77 km²) of virgin bottomland hardwood forest complemented by an additional 50 acres (200,000 m²) of younger forest, field, and pond. The woods consist of sweetgum, sugar maple, tuliptree, shumard oak, and green ash throughout. It is the largest tract of virgin forest located inside any city limits in the United States.

The oldest trees are over 400 years old. Among the largest of their species are 24 state champions and two national champion trees. One of the tallest trees in the state is a tulip poplar located within the park. It is 147 feet (45 m) tall with a 13.2-foot (4.0 m) circumference and 81-foot (25 m) canopy.

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, canoeing trips, camps, and a nature playscape (coming Fall 2016). 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 23-acre (93,000 m²) wetlands property located at 1400 S. Tekoppel Avenue in the urban western area of Evansville.

External links

• Wesselman Nature Society official site
• Wesselman Park Woods National Park Service