The Wesselman Nature Society (WNS) is growing something new this October for seasonal family fun. Harvest Festival and Hayrides at Wesselman Woods will be an opportunity for families and friends to enjoy the high point of our colorful fall season in Evansville’s most pristine forested area.

As our visitors arrive, they will park their car and hop onto a hayride through Wesselman Park and to the Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. Along the way, they will pass lighted, autumn-themed inflatable displays. Each display will be sponsored by a supporting area business that will also be recognized by adjacent signage.

A breakfast of pancakes with real maple syrup, sausage, and the choice of orange juice, milk, or coffee will be served inside the Nature Center. Ongoing programs throughout each day teach those who attend about the natural processes taking place inside of trees, the history and process of maple syrup production, and why the end result is worth the effort. These programs include guided walking tours through the Sugarbush, allowing firsthand observation of trees tapped and readily producing sap and further explanation of the evaporation process that condenses sap to the consistency of maple syrup.

Birding enthusiasts and novices alike will want to be sure to keep their binoculars close each spring for the Ohio Valley Birding Festival. This festival consists of a whole host of activities for birders (or potential birders) of all ages and skill levels. Guided hikes to area birding hotspots such as Howell Wetlands, Hovey Lake, Blue Grass Fish and Wildlife Area, and the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge will showcase a variety of native and migratory bird species. Various lectures and workshops are offered, including topics such as photographing birds, making gourd birdhouses, and providing backyard habitat for birds.

The Ohio Valley Birding Festival also includes a special day for children and families at Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve. Experience a full day of family birding fun with hands-on learning hike, and a live raptor show will make this a day you won’t want to miss! This event is a local connection to International Migratory Bird Month (May) which also coincides with an annual variety of rare and beautiful birds that pass through our region.

Although the schedule for the 2009 Ohio Valley Birding Festival is not yet available, you may download a complete listing of last year's hikes and activities by clicking on the following link: Ohio Valley Birding Festival Schedule (PDF).