Upcoming SIMNA activities:

On Thursday, July 31st, Heidi Doss will present a training on the topic of teaching children in the outdoors. The class will meet from 6 - 8:00 PM at the nature center. The class is limited to 15 people, so please email Gena at masternaturalists@gmail.com if you wish to sign up. If you sign up but later realize you will not be able to attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.

The next SIMNA meeting is scheduled for Monday, August 18 at 6:00 PM. We'll meet at the Nature Center and begin with SIMNA member Steve Pitt's presentation on the history of Pigeon Creek.

On Thursday, September 11th, Canoe Evansville will be offering a moonlight paddle exclusively for SIMNA. Please email an RSVP to masternaturalists@gmail.com if you wish to attend, and indicate if you'd prefer to paddle at Hovey Lake or at Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area. If you are planning to bring your own canoe or kayak, let us know. The cost of the program is $13.50 per person. Please RSVP at or before the August 18th meeting.

For our September 15th meeting, we're planning to take a hike at Howell Wetlands, since many Master Naturalists have not had a chance to visit the property. Don't worry--there are barely any bugs at all!


Lauren Preske has requested that we save empty toilet paper rolls for her, as she frequently uses them for programs. You can bring your collected tubes to the nature center, but please indicate that they are for Lauren when you drop them off so that they can be set aside for her.

SIMNA moonlight paddle

Canoe Evansville has agreed to schedule a special moonlight paddle for SIMNA members, to be held at Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area on Thursday, September 11th. The cost is $13.50 per person, and can be paid directly to Canoe Evansville manager Ashley on the evening of the paddle. You MUST RESERVE YOUR SPOT BY THE EVENING OF MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 8 so that I can tell Ashley how many people to expect. Email masternaturalists@gmail.com or call 812-204-8475.

Participants can choose to meet at the nature center at 6:30 PM on Thursday and take the shuttle out to Bluegrass, or you can meet the group at the second lake (I believe it is Loon Pit) at 7:00 PM. Please dress for the weather and bring water and bug spray. If you have questions about the trip or equipment needs, please call (812) 479-0771 ext. 105 and speak to Ashley or Neal.

"Teaching Children in the Outdoors"

On Thursday, July 31st, Heidi Doss will present a training on the topic of teaching children in the outdoors. The class will meet from 6 - 8:00 PM at the nature center. The class is limited to 15 people, so please email Gena at masternaturalists@gmail.com or call (812) 204-8475 if you wish to sign up. If you sign up but later realize you will not be able to attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.

Hikes at Howell Wetlands

July 19, 8:30 AM -- wildflower hike with Debbie Goedde

July 19, 7 PM -- insect nightlife hike with Purdue entomology student Brandon Runyon

July 26, 9 AM -- butterfly hike with Debbie Goedde

Contact: Lauren Preske, lpreske@wesselmannaturesociety.org or 479-0771, extension 139

Moonlight Paddles

Spend the evening on a guided canoe trip under the full moon at the serene Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area just north of Evansville or amidst the cypress forest at Hovey Lake. Pre-registration required.

Ages:  7 and up
Cost:  $15 per person
Average Length:  about 3 hours

Contact:  Ashley Benthall, canoe@wesselmannaturesociety.org or 479-0771


July 19, 7 p.m. at Hovey Lake

Aug 15, 7 p.m. at Bluegrass Fish & Wildlife Area

August 16, 7 p.m. Hovey Lake

WWNP Summer Camps

Half-Day Junior Naturalist Camp
July 28 - August 1, 9 a.m. to Noon (2nd - 5th grade)

Middle School Mini Camp
July 22 - 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Grades 6,7,8

Contact:  Lisa Hoffman, 479-0771, extension 103
or lhoffman@wesselmannaturesociety.org