Environmental Studies Series

Embark on a journey of discovery and environmental stewardship with Wesselman Woods' captivating Environmental Studies series!

Immerse yourself in a series of engaging presentations and hands-on experiences led by passionate experts. Explore the pressing issues of climate change, delve into the fascinating world of ecosystem restoration, and uncover the hidden wonders of insects, plants, and fish in our local habitats.

Whether you're walking through an ancient forest, examining plants and animals, or participating in a seed collection, these classes offer unique opportunities to deepen your understanding of our natural world and its challenges. Join us in supporting the Wesselman Woods mission to protect and educate – your participation not only enriches your own knowledge but also contributes to the preservation of our invaluable urban old-growth forest.

No prior education on any of the topics is required. We invite all curious minds to join us! No additional volunteer hours are required for these sessions. 

Audience: Ages 18+

Dates and Topics

Special Guest Presenter Series: Levi O'Brien
Levi O’Brien is a faculty instructor at the New York Botanical Garden as well as an instructor at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden. He is ISA Certified and a TRAQ Qualified arborist. As a complement to his in-person work, he reaches a combined audience of approximately 170,000 students across Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube, and Patreon.

Levi is doing a special cross-country tree tour and one of his stops will be at Wesselman Woods! Don't miss out on this great learning opportunity from an outside perspective.

• Meet Your Neighbors: Tree Identification Hike
  • Saturday, May 9 from 10 AM to Noon •  Presenter: Levi O'Brien, Tree Educator and Arborist
    • Levi specializes in tree identification, ecology, and biology through hands-on, field-based learning. In this session, he guides participants in tree identification through observation and exploration in the largest urban old-growth forest in the United States.
  • Please note pricing for this special Environmental Studies session is $30 for the public and $25 for members/Indiana Master Naturalist Alumni.

• Woodlore: Cultural History of Trees
  • Saturday, May 9 from 1-3 PM  •  Presenter: Levi O'Brien, Tree Educator and Arborist
    • Levi O’Brien blends storytelling with his expertise to explore the cultural and historical relationships between people and trees. In this session, he shares how trees have shaped human history and invites participants to see them through a richer, more connected lens.
  • Please note pricing for this special Environmental Studies session is $30 for the public and $25 for members/Indiana Master Naturalist Alumni.

• Local Stream Fishes: Diversity, Ecology, and Behavior
  • Thursday, July 23 from 6-8 PM •  Presenter: Dr. James Bandoli, Professor Emeritus of Biology at the University of Southern Indiana
    • More details coming soon!
  • $20 for public / $15 for members and Indiana Master Naturalist Alumni

Email info@wesselmanwoods.org for the promo code.

Looking for continuing education hours for Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist (AIMN)? These courses will fulfill those requirements.