Howell Wetlands

Howell Wetlands
1400 South Tekoppel Avenue
Evansville, Indiana 47712

Howell Wetlands is a 35-acre urban wetland and nature area located on the west side of Evansville, Indiana. Situated at 1400 South Tekoppel Avenue, the wetlands contain marshland, a bald cypress slough, an oxbow lake, lowland hardwood forest, and upland meadow.

Considered one of the largest urban wetlands in Indiana, Howell Wetlands is one of only a small number of urban wetland parks in the state. The property provides habitat for a wide variety of wildlife while also serving as a public nature area, environmental education site, and living example of wetland restoration within the city of Evansville.

Howell Wetlands is owned by the City of Evansville and managed by the Wesselman Nature Society, the organization that also manages Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve.

History

The modern Howell Wetlands is the result of decades of environmental cleanup and restoration.

By the 20th century, development surrounding the area had significantly altered its natural environment. The wetlands had also accumulated decades of household and business litter.

Major restoration efforts began during the 1970s.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers contributed more than $400,000 toward cleaning accumulated debris from the wetland. The City of Evansville matched the federal contribution, creating a substantial local and federal effort to reclaim the area.

Restoration continued over the following decades.

During the 1990s, Casino Aztar assisted with converting former farmland into two lakes. Additional restoration created or enhanced several different habitats, including a cypress slough and prairie.

In 1997, the City of Evansville officially designated the area as a wetland.

The Wesselman Nature Society later became responsible for the property and has continued restoration, conservation, environmental education, and management of the wetlands.

Natural Environment

Despite being surrounded by an urban and suburban landscape, Howell Wetlands supports several distinct natural habitats within its approximately 35 acres.

These include:

Marshland
Bald cypress slough
Oxbow lake and channel
Lowland hardwood forest
Prairie and upland meadow

The presence of several ecosystems in a relatively small area allows Howell Wetlands to support considerable biodiversity.

The oxbow is particularly significant. Oxbow lakes and channels are remnants of former river or stream channels that become separated from the primary waterway as its course changes over time.

The wetland’s hydrology has also been affected over the years by human development in the surrounding area, including construction of flood-control infrastructure and the nearby wastewater treatment facilities.

Wildlife

Howell Wetlands provides habitat for numerous species of birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, and other wildlife.

Animals associated with the wetlands include:

Beavers
Muskrats
White-tailed deer
Coyotes
Bobcats
Raccoons
Opossums
Herons
Wood ducks
Geese
Cranes
Migratory birds
Turtles
Frogs

Beavers are particularly associated with Howell Wetlands, where their lodges and activity can be observed throughout portions of the property.

The combination of open water, marshes, forests, meadow, and cypress habitat also makes the wetlands an important stopping and feeding area for birds.

Bald Cypress Slough

One of Howell Wetlands’ most distinctive environments is its bald cypress slough.

Bald cypress trees are strongly associated with southern swamps and floodplains, making the cypress habitat at Howell an unusual landscape within an urban Indiana setting.

The cypress trees grow alongside other trees found in the wetlands, including oak and maple.

Wooden walkways and trails allow visitors to pass through and observe these areas without entering the sensitive wetland habitat.

Trails and Boardwalks

Howell Wetlands contains more than two miles of hiking trails, wooden boardwalks, bridges, and walkways.

The trail system allows visitors to experience the property’s different habitats, moving between wooded areas, wetlands, open water, prairie, and meadow.

Because much of the property is naturally wet, portions of the trails may become muddy or soggy following rain.

Most trails consist of mulch or wooden boardwalk surfaces.

The wetlands are intended primarily for walking and nature observation rather than active recreation.

Environmental Restoration

Howell Wetlands is an example of urban ecological restoration in Evansville.

Rather than protecting an ecosystem that had remained completely untouched, much of the modern wetland environment has been recovered or reconstructed following decades of human impact.

The restoration included removing accumulated trash and debris, restoring water features, converting former farmland, creating prairie habitat, and establishing or improving wetland environments.

Management of the property continues today. Habitat restoration, invasive species management, wildlife conservation, research, and environmental education are among the activities associated with the site.

Education and Research

Howell Wetlands serves as an outdoor environmental classroom for the Evansville area.

The Wesselman Nature Society conducts educational programs, guided activities, and tours at the property.

Researchers are also encouraged to use Howell Wetlands to study urban ecosystems and environmental processes.

Local organizations and universities have participated in or supported conservation and research associated with Wesselman Woods and Howell Wetlands, including the University of Evansville and University of Southern Indiana.

The wetlands provide researchers and students with an opportunity to study a functioning ecosystem surrounded by a developed urban environment.

Public Access

Howell Wetlands is open to the public and does not charge admission for access to its trails and boardwalks.

Unlike Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, dogs and other pets are permitted at Howell Wetlands as long as they remain on a leash.

To protect the ecosystem, several activities are prohibited.

Visitors are asked to remain on designated trails. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trails, and jogging is prohibited.

Fishing, swimming, and wading are also prohibited.

Visitors may not remove plants, rocks, feathers, bones, or other natural materials from the property, and feeding wildlife is prohibited.

Accessibility

Because Howell Wetlands is a natural wetland environment, accessibility varies depending on weather and trail conditions.

Most trails consist of mulch or wooden boardwalks, and portions of the property contain uneven terrain.

Large-wheeled strollers can generally navigate many areas, although wet or muddy conditions can make portions of the trail system difficult for wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Howell Park

Howell Wetlands is closely associated geographically with Howell Park, another longstanding west side recreation area.

The larger Howell Park area has included recreational amenities such as a swimming pool, basketball facilities, miniature golf, a par-3 golf course, and shelter facilities.

Together, Howell Park and Howell Wetlands create an unusual combination of traditional city recreation and protected natural habitat on Evansville’s west side.

Conservation

The Wesselman Nature Society manages Howell Wetlands as part of its broader mission to protect natural areas in Evansville.

The organization also manages Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve on the city’s east side.

While Wesselman Woods protects a surviving old-growth forest ecosystem, Howell Wetlands represents a different conservation story: the restoration of an environmentally damaged urban landscape into functioning wildlife habitat.

Community organizations have also supported conservation work at Howell Wetlands. Among the organizations recognized for supporting the property are the West Side Nut Club and Westside Improvement Association.

Significance to Evansville

Howell Wetlands is notable because a diverse wetland ecosystem survives within a heavily developed portion of Evansville.

Its history also reflects changing attitudes toward urban land and conservation. An area once affected by dumping, agriculture, development, and changes to its natural water system was gradually reclaimed and restored.

Today, the property protects 35 acres of wetland habitat while providing Evansville residents with free access to more than two miles of trails and boardwalks.

Along with Wesselman Woods, Howell Wetlands represents one of Evansville’s most significant protected natural environments and provides an example of how damaged urban land can be restored for wildlife, education, research, and public enjoyment.

Location