Wesley Foundation
Restoring land. Doing the quiet work that lasts.
News
Latest updates and resolutions.
The 2026 Plan: Why We Do This Work
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation shares its 2026 restoration plan for Wesley Woods in Strongsville — and the deeper reason behind every cleared vine, every planted tree, and every trail built by hand. This is about land that deserves to be cared for, and a community that deserves to share it.
Wild Crab Apples Spark Orchard Vision at Strongsville Restoration Site
Restoration workers at the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's Strongsville property discovered wild green crab apple trees near the creek — and the find has sparked a full orchard enhancement plan to plant diverse eating apple varieties alongside them to support pollinators, wildlife, and the community.
Wesley Woods: Strongsville Property Seeks Community Partnership for EV Charging Station and Nature Trail
Wesley Family Foundation is pursuing zoning and city council approval in Strongsville for Wesley Woods — a 1-acre wooded property featuring a covered EV charging station with a community bench, and a walking trail leading into a maple wood clearing. We invite community partnership as we bring this vision to the planning process.
Crossing the Creek: Wesley Stump Family Foundation Files for Bicycle Bridge Permit at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation has submitted a variance application to the Strongsville Board of Zoning Appeals for a low-impact bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the creek at Wesley Woods. The structure would connect the restored trail system to the property's ChargePoint bicycle charging station — and the Foundation's application makes a clear case on all four required variance criteria.
Wesley Woods: Log Retaining Wall, Portable Shed, and Certified Deer Habitat on the Wooded Slope
Wesley Family Foundation is developing the vacant lot slope at Wesley Woods with a 4-foot log retaining wall, a small portable shed, a walking path to a bicycle charging station, running water fountain, and bench — with certified deer habitat along a natural deer trail and a valley creek timber crossing over a 20-foot elevation change.
Pretty Plant, Real Danger: How to Identify Red-Stemmed Pokeweed and Other Colorful Hazards at Wesley Woods
Green leafy plants with vivid red or purple-red stems are appearing across the Foundation property — and volunteers need to know what they are. The most common culprit is pokeweed, a striking native plant that is also highly toxic from root to berry. Here's how to spot it and what to do.
The Mystery Shrub and the Spotted Maple: Two Trail Puzzles at Wesley Woods — Solved
Two puzzling sightings have been turning heads on the Wesley Woods trails: a small thorny shrub with bright green leaves and deflated red berry-like sacs, and Sugar Maple leaves covered in raised red spots. Both have definitive answers — and one of them is a serious invasive species problem.
Light from Above: A Minimal Solar Post Proposal for the Maple Woods at Wesley Woods
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is exploring a low-impact solar post installation at Wesley Woods — a single 8-foot post with a small solar panel mounted at the top, requiring only a minimal canopy opening to access sunlight. The proposal prioritizes the health of the maple canopy above all else.
Know Before You Ride: E-Bike Laws in Strongsville — Including the One Most Riders Don't Know About
Electric bikes are changing how people get around — but most riders don't know that Ohio law treats e-bikes differently depending on how you ride them, and that Strongsville has a specific ordinance with a consequence many cyclists never see coming. Here's what you need to know before you roll.
Red Alert on the Trail: That's Not a Ladybug — And Experts Say You Should Pay Attention
Volunteers at the Foundation's Strongsville property have been spotting a striking red insect with black spots and distinctive white eyes — and it's not a ladybug. It may be a Spotted Lanternfly nymph, an invasive species that threatens Ohio's maple trees and should be reported immediately.
Leaves of Three, Let It Be: Your Field Guide to Toxic Plants on the Trail
As foot traffic increases on the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's new trail system in Strongsville, the Foundation is sharing a field guide to identifying poison ivy, poison oak, poison sumac, and other hazardous plants — and what to do if you think you've been exposed.
Foundation Property Eyes E-Bike Safety Trail as Outdoor Education Takes New Direction
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is exploring a dedicated electric bicycle and e-mountain bike safety study corridor at its Strongsville property — a graduated trail designed to teach riders the unique handling characteristics of pedal-assist bikes on real terrain.
"A Place to Breathe": Foundation Casts Long-Term Vision for Strongsville Restoration Property
Behind each trail, cleared vine, and planted tree at the Wesley Stump Family Foundation's Strongsville property is a larger vision — a peaceful "vibe BnB" style glamping retreat and model for community land stewardship that invites neighbors into a living, breathing woodland sanctuary.
New Trails and Handcrafted Structures Open Up Steep Terrain at Foundation Property
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation has transformed a challenging 25-foot hillside at its Strongsville restoration property with hand-built walking trails, log retaining walls, twine handrails, a timber footbridge, and a rustic maple bench — making the slope safe, accessible, and beautiful.
Strongsville Volunteers Battle Invasive Vines to Save Beloved Sugar Maples
The Wesley Stump Family Foundation is leading a targeted removal effort to clear invasive red poison vines strangling the property's mature Sugar Maples — freeing the trees to rebuild root systems and deliver vivid fall color for years to come.
Research Initiative: Slope Grading, Timber Support, and Wooden Bridges for Wooded Walking Paths
Wesley Family Foundation is researching practical methods for grading steep wooded slopes, building timber retaining structures, and constructing simple wooden bridges for walking paths — with a focus on Wesley Woods and similar properties with natural grade changes.
Wesley Family Foundation Enters Contract for 1-Acre Wooded Haven in Ohio
Wesley Family Foundation has entered into a contract to acquire ~1 acre of fully wooded land in Ohio, adjacent to the Cleveland Metroparks, to steward as a native woodland sanctuary.
Land Acquired! The Journey Begins
Wesley Family Foundation has closed on its first land parcel in Ohio -- over half an acre that will support a comprehensive ecosystem for native trees, plants, grasses, and wildlife. An active restoration project is underway, with winter seasonal work completed and plans developing for the next year of growth.
Candlelight Canoe Event at Private Park Features Teepee, Rock Climbing, and Zip Line
Wesley Family Foundation announces a candlelight canoe event at a private park, featuring a narrow creek with wooden bottom, walking bridge, teepee gathering space, rock climbing, steel rope zip line, and animal day activities.
Wesley Family Foundation Seeks Bilingual Coordinator for Conservation Programs
Wesley Family Foundation is hiring a Bilingual Coordinator to lead conservation initiatives including land management planning, spring planting coordination, ecosystem research, publishing conservation information, managing property-related legal coordination with courts of equity and governmental entities, and navigating zoning, building codes, and permitting for sustainable land development.
Otter Habitat Development Planned for Property Waterway
Wesley Family Foundation announces plans to develop a natural otter habitat at the back of the property, utilizing existing mud and water features to create an ideal environment for these native Ohio mammals.
Inaugural Introduction Event: A Candlelit Evening of Discovery
Wesley Family Foundation hosts its inaugural introduction event, a private candlelit evening gathering to discuss programs, vision, and the future of environmental stewardship and community impact.
New Spelunking Safety Program Launches with Focus on Erosion Testing and Tree Climbing
Wesley Family Foundation launches a new Spelunking Safety program focused on safe exploration of sloped land through erosion testing, tree and root climbing safety, and trail carpentry.
Fox Den and Woodlands Habitat Sanctuary Opens for Wildlife Viewing
New sanctuary program creates viewing habitats for wild animals native to Ohio metroparks, with specialized areas for blue jays, butterflies, praying mantis, wooly bear caterpillars, and pine beetles.
Board Resolution Establishing a City Land Bank Acquisition Program (Cleveland)
The Board of Directors of the Wesley Stump Family Foundation, Inc. establishes a program to identify and prudently acquire qualifying City-owned parcels via Cleveland's Land Bank for ecological restoration, environmental research, public benefit, and educational programming.
Our Programs
Discover how we support and empower communities through various initiatives.
Ground
Return to the earth — preserve it, experience it, learn from it
Nourish
Mind, body, and spirit — starting with what we consume and how we care for ourselves