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B.W. Wells
Association

...Pioneer Ecologist
          ...Riverbend Botanist
                    ...Nature's Champion
                              ...Tarheel Ecologist

"He did so much for North Carolina." ---Maude Wells

Brief History

Bertram Whittier Wells was born in Ohio in 1884, and spent his early life in that state. He studied botany at Ohio State University and obtained a PHD degree from the University of Chicago. In 1919, at the age of 35, Dr. Wells moved to North Carolina and became head of the Department of Plant Pathology and a professor of Botany at North Carolina State College (Now NCSU). In the 1938 his wife, a teacher, died of cancer. In 1949 he retired as Department head, but remained as a professor until his retirement at the age of 65. He received an Honorary Doctor Degree in Science, and a Citation for Agriculture and Engineering, both from the NCSU.

During his time at North Carolina State, he actively and continuously pursued research in the field of plant ecology, and produced scientific publications. Dr. Wells was one of the pioneers in the field of botany and ecology, and was one of the first to discover the diverse array of wild flowers in North Carolina. In 1954 Dr. Wells retired from N.C. State College, and with his second wife Maude, moved to the 154 acre farm he named Rock Cliff. He continued his research and upheld a valuable role in the fields of Botany and Ecology.

Long interested in painting, Dr. Wells actively pursued this hobby during his retirement, producing over 300 paintings, most of which he gave away. Dr. Wells passed away in 1978 at the age of 94. A month later the government began purchasing land and begin construction of Falls Lake, Dr. Wells saw the dam being built but nothing further. He lived to see the nation become aware of the environment, a goal he spent his life pursuing. He also saw the state begin the task of inventorying and saving natural areas in North Carolina. Dr. Wells was and always will be a well respected and admired individual. Colleagues, acquaintances, family and friends all thought a lot of Dr. Wells and he will remain a treasured and meaningful part of their lives.

Fire Pink - Dr. Wells favorite flower

Bert and Maude Wells relaxing in front of the fireplace Bert built.

B.W. Wells and a painting of Zeagle's Rock

Maps & Brochures

B.W. Wells Group Camp Map, map of Falls Lake ( PDF / JPEG )

Self-guided walking tour of Rock Cliff Farm - Map and descriptions of outbuildings and structures around Rock Cliff Farm.
Page one - map. Page two - tour information.

S elf-guided tour of the Ziegle'e Rock Trail - White dot trail leading past mangum terraces to Ziegle's Rock overlook. Interpretive Stops along the way.

Rock Cliff Farm Quarterly - Newsletter of the B.W. Wells Association

*NEW*

Fall 2007
(217kb) (618)kb

Maze (250 KB)

*NEW*

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Crossword Puzzle

Crossword Puzzle Answers

***Request any of these brochures at 676-1027 or by email. Pick one up at the Falls Lake park office on Highway 50, or attend a tour of BW Wells.

Other Information

B.W. Wells Association membership application. Formed in 1979 to preserve Rock Cliff Farm and B.W. Well's naturalists thoughts and ideas. See calendar for site tours and other events.

Photos from our first annual HERITAGE DAY, March 28, 2004

Photos from our third annual HERITAGE DAY, March 25, 2006

Join the E-MAIL LIST and keep up to date on B.W. Wells news.

Learn about Volunteer opportunities at Rock Cliff Farm. Work behind the scenes to preserve and help the Association interpret and protect the land.

Learn about EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM OPPORTUNITIES at Rock Cliff Farm for organized groups and schools.

Flyer about SCOUTS AND B.W. WELLS at Rock Cliff Farm detailing the many projects and volunteer opportunities for Scout and youth groups.

*NEW*

B.W. Wells: Tarheel Ecologist: six hour educators workshop. Credited as a NC DPR AIT workshop and pending NC EE Certification Component I workshop.

"The Natural Gardens of B.W. Wells" revised edition - UNC Press. Much of what Wells' wrote for the original version is included here.

"Nature's Champion" by James Troyer - UNC Press 1993. Biography of Wells.

Order these books through the B.W. Wells Association at events or contact John Pelosi.

The B.W. Wells Savannah in Pender county near Burgaw preserved by the Coastal Land Trust.

Pictures from Edna Metz Wells Park in Raleigh

B.W. WELLS ASSOCIATION

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
President - John Pelosi
Vice President - Johnny Randall
Treasurer - Bill Williams
Secretary - Jean McCamy
Committee Chair - Earl Creutzburg

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jeff Adolphsen (Buildings)
Jean Harrison (Archiving)
Patty Ray(Archiving)
             Jimmy Ray (Public Relations)
       Earl Creutzburg (Education)
           Vacant (Ways and Means)
                   Vacant (Membership)
Liz Ford
Hughen Nourse (Grounds)
Fran Shapiro
Larry Early

Mission Statement

The B.W. Wells Association will strive to educate the public about B.W. Wells, North Carolina's first plant ecologist, and promote his conservation ethics. The Association will achieve its mission primarily by assisting the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to preserve, restore and interpret the unique cultural and natural resources at Rock Cliff Farm, the site of Wells' retirement.

Vision Statement

The B.W. Wells Association will be the leading resource for educating the public about B.W. Wells and his philosophy of "man living in harmony with nature." The Association will play a major role in restoring Rock Cliff Farm so that it becomes a living legacy of the environmental ethics of B.W. Wells and a source of inspiration to future conservationists.

"Man living in harmony with nature." ---B.W. Wells