Wesselman Woods’s vision is to connect people and nature. The mission of Wesselman Nature Society is to preserve and protect Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands for future generations through conservation, education, research, and to provide equal access to nature.

As Wesselman Woods (WW) enters its 50^th year as a not-for-profit, it has unveiled a new strategic plan to guide the organization.

WW Executive Director, Zach Garcia, says: “A new wind is coming through the forest - a wind of enthusiasm, positivity, and spirit. We want you all to catch this breeze and join us on our journey into the future. The WW staff and Board of Directors have been hard at work optimizing the organization to reflect the current times.” Under the WW Board and Garcia’s direction, WW has committed to leaning on four core principles:

• Bioregion: Defined by the Ohio River Valley, we value the ecological and environmental integrity of our forests, rivers, and wetlands. We recognize the value of the socio-cultural assets of Indigenous peoples native to this land and those that occupy it now.
• Diversity and Inclusion: Successful conservation depends upon the representation and respect of all cultures, traditions, values, and needs of the community. We actively seek the opportunity to create diverse internal and external relationships to further our mission.
• Respect: We respect all forms of nature - living, nonliving, and Earth systems.
• Interdependence: We acknowledged the importance that we are all dependent on one another (Earth systems and all life). We understand that all life is in a process of learning in the urban ecosystems at Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands. We value and respect these systems that support all life.

On our website, we have our strategic plan goals and objectives listed in detail. This new focus means that WW will have a clearer direction on protecting WW and Howell Wetlands (HW). WW has also recentered their objectives to expand accessibility and education programs. With this restructuring, WW will no longer offer on-site or off-site recycling; a change that will allow more of the organization’s time and resources to go toward protecting the environmental integrity of this old-growth forest. The decision was not made lightly but through painstaking consideration of the Board of Directors and staff. WW began offering on-site recycling to fill a need in our community that was not being met at the time. Due to increased demand by residents and stakeholders, local recycling services have greatly increased. The City of Evansville now offers curbside recycling services to all residents within the city limits. In the county, the majority of the waste management companies also offer recycling services. This affords nearly every resident and business within our community the opportunity to recycle from their home or business without having to transport the items themselves.

Garcia says, “We are swiftly and decisively moving this organization into the future. This ancient forest is one of the most important assets in our city, our state, and our nation. It’s time we come together around this ecosystem and celebrate what it has to offer.”

Michelle Ferrero, WW Board Co-President, adds: “We are so excited for the direction we are headed. The staff and my fellow board members have been nothing but fabulous. All of us are dedicated to taking Wesselman Woods to the next chapter in our efforts to increase awareness for both Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands. We have never been more prepared and I’m looking forward to seeing what the next 5 years brings us.”

Donors looking to contribute to our new vision and mission can visit wesselmanwoods.org/ecoaccess. The Eco-Access Initiative is a program that harnesses the power of our local communities to further establish and assure equal access to the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States: Wesselman Woods. All donated sponsorships are tax-deductible.

For any questions, please contact Zach Garcia at zach@wesselmanwoods.org or via phone at 812-479-0771.