- Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve
Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve is a convert|240|acre|km2|sing=on nature preserve located in
Evansville, Indiana . It is aNational Natural Landmark and a State Nature Preserve owned by the City of Evansville and operated by the non-profit Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve Society.The preserve consists of over convert|190|acre|km2 of virgin
bottomland hardwood forest complemented by an additional 50 acres of younger forest, field, and pond. The woods consist ofsweetgum ,sugar maple ,tuliptree ,shumard oak , andgreen ash throughout. It is the largest tract of virgin forest located inside any city limits in theUnited States . [cite web | title=Wesselman Woods | publisher=Letterboxing North America | url=http://www.letterboxing.org/BoxView.php?boxnum=23497&boxname=Wesselman_Woods | accessdate=2006-11-14]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 convert|147|ft|m tall with a convert|13.2|ft|m|sing=on circumference and convert|81|ft|m|sing=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/ | accessdate=2007-05-31]
Animal species include
squirrels ,racoon s, gray foxes,coyote , andwhitetail deer . The woods also serves as a refuge for a variety ofwoodpeckers andowls .A nature center welcomes visitors with exhibits, events, wildlife observation areas, a library, and gift shop. The amphitheater near Odonata Pond may also be rented for outdoor activities.
The Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve Society also manages Howell Wetlands, a 23 acre
wetlands property located at 1400 S. Tekoppel Avenue in the urban western area of Evansville.External links
* [http://www.wesselmannaturesociety.org Wesselman Nature Society official site]
References
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