Can You Help LRWP Do Its Important Work?
LRWP depends on its members and volunteers to accomplish its mission to restore and protect wetlands in the Little River
watershed southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and to provide educational opportunities that encourage individuals to be good
stewards of wetlands and other natural ecosystems. LRWP was founded because wetlands bring enormous benefits to people and
wildlife, yet 85% of Indiana’s original wetlands have been destroyed. We are working to help bring the benefits of wetlands to all.
Fulfilling LRWP’s mission of wetlands restoration and protection is more difficult and expensive than that of protecting land
already in a natural state. After we have acquired property suitable for restoration in the Little River valley, nonnative plant species
must be removed, low areas dug out, drain tiles broken, and pumps pulled to create hydrology closer to that of the 25,000 acres once
known as the Great Marsh. The newly prepared land is then sown with native seed mixes specialized for ephemeral wetlands, sedge
meadows, or prairies depending on its soil and hydrology, or planted with native trees and shrubs.
Both money and the work of many volunteers are needed for this enormous effort. And all our preserves continue to need intensive
stewardship to nurture the new native plants and protect them from invasive species that will otherwise take over. Our first obligation
is to maintain the health of our 900+ acres of existing preserves for wildlife and visitors, but we will also acquire more land for
wetlands restoration and protection when feasible.
Encouraging individuals to be good stewards of wetlands and other natural ecosystems is accomplished primarily through
our free nature education and recreation programs. LRWP invites school classes and other children’s groups to learn at our
preserves from our staff and volunteers. We sponsor weekly and monthly nature hikes, a monthly program for seniors, evening hikes
and presentations, an annual Open House at Eagle Marsh, and more. All are free and open to the community. LRWP served almost
2,500 children and adults in our nature programs in 2008.
learn more about our free nature programs
Facilitating landowner conservation and assisting with nature research are other ways in which LRWP attempts to help
people become better stewards of the natural world. Those interested in research at our preserves may call us at 260-478-2515
learn more about programs to support landowner conservation
LRWP depends on its members and volunteers to accomplish its mission to restore and protect wetlands in the Little River
watershed southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana, and to provide educational opportunities that encourage individuals to be good
stewards of wetlands and other natural ecosystems. LRWP was founded because wetlands bring enormous benefits to people and
wildlife, yet 85% of Indiana’s original wetlands have been destroyed. We are working to help bring the benefits of wetlands to all.
Fulfilling LRWP’s mission of wetlands restoration and protection is more difficult and expensive than that of protecting land
already in a natural state. After we have acquired property suitable for restoration in the Little River valley, nonnative plant species
must be removed, low areas dug out, drain tiles broken, and pumps pulled to create hydrology closer to that of the 25,000 acres once
known as the Great Marsh. The newly prepared land is then sown with native seed mixes specialized for ephemeral wetlands, sedge
meadows, or prairies depending on its soil and hydrology, or planted with native trees and shrubs.
Both money and the work of many volunteers are needed for this enormous effort. And all our preserves continue to need intensive
stewardship to nurture the new native plants and protect them from invasive species that will otherwise take over. Our first obligation
is to maintain the health of our 900+ acres of existing preserves for wildlife and visitors, but we will also acquire more land for
wetlands restoration and protection when feasible.
Encouraging individuals to be good stewards of wetlands and other natural ecosystems is accomplished primarily through
our free nature education and recreation programs. LRWP invites school classes and other children’s groups to learn at our
preserves from our staff and volunteers. We sponsor weekly and monthly nature hikes, a monthly program for seniors, evening hikes
and presentations, an annual Open House at Eagle Marsh, and more. All are free and open to the community. LRWP served almost
2,500 children and adults in our nature programs in 2008.
learn more about our free nature programs
Facilitating landowner conservation and assisting with nature research are other ways in which LRWP attempts to help
people become better stewards of the natural world. Those interested in research at our preserves may call us at 260-478-2515
learn more about programs to support landowner conservation
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