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Events & Programs

LRWP’s free nature programs and events serve all ages!

Field Trips for Classes/Groups

Click here for an application to bring a class/group to a LRWP preserve

Teachers, let us know what you're studying and we can tailor a program that's relevant to the classroom. Scouts, our staff and volunteers can work with you to meet requirements for different badges. Trips are arranged on a first come, first served basis.

Adult groups may also wish to visit our preserves or volunteer. Please call us if your employee group, club, hiking group, birding group, church group, senior program or other community group is interested in a guided visit or might like to volunteer at an event or for stewardship.

Offsite presentations can be given about our preserves and programs to businesses, clubs or other community groups through special arrangements with our staff. Classroom presentations on wetland topics may also be arranged on a limited basis.

For more information, or to discuss an event for your group, please email Aly Munger at a.munger@lrwp.org.

 

community events

Community Events
  • World Wetlands Day

  • Earth Day Fort Wayne 

  • Urban Turtle Festival

  • Frog-a-palooza (fundraiser)

  • Monarch Festival

Earth Day 2024 Events
Volunteer Kickoff/ Volunbeering
Wednesday, April 3rd, 2024 from 6:00PM to 8:00PM
Are you interested in volunteering at LRWP? Join us and other volunteers in the community,
at Hop River Brewing Company (1515 N Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808) for our
Volunteer Kickoff and an evening of stewardship! This is an all ages event and venue.
Annual Spring Clean-up
Thursday, April 4th, 2024 from 10:00AM to 12:00PM
Help us protect our preserve’s habitats and the wildlife that depend on them at this
annual event by helping to remove winter’s trash. Bring garden rakes, grabbers, any
useful tools, trash bags, and work gloves (waterproof recommended) and be ready to
get wet and muddy.
A Dip In The Wetland
Saturday, April 13th, 2024 from 12:30PM to 2:00PM
Join us at Eagle Marsh and take a closer look at what lives in the water. We will
examine these critters under a microscope and learn about what they can tell us
about our water quality. This event is fun for everyone! Rubber boots are recommended - binoculars are fun to bring as well!
Native Plant Giveaway
Monday, April 22nd, 2024 from 3:00PM to 7:00PM
Celebrate Earth Day by creating wildlife habitat in your own backyard! Get started with some free native plants grown with the help of our Seed to Marsh participants. Supplies
are limited, so pick one up on this date!
Save the Date: Monarch Festival 2024
Sunday, September 8th, 2024 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Join us for the a free large community event. It is apart of Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown while learning and experiencing the importance of the wetlands right in the community. Experience the beauty of the marsh while celebrating the Monarch's Trip back to Mexico.

public hikes & Programs

Volun-beering

First Wednesday of the month from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Hop River Brewing Co.

Join us, and other volunteers in the community, at Hop River Brewing Company (1515 N Harrison Street, Fort Wayne, IN 46808) for an evening of stewardship and volunteering! This is a great way to support us at Little River Wetlands Project and a local brewery. This is an all-ages venue, so children are welcome. If you don't enjoy beer, that's okay, they have plenty of good food and non-alcoholic beverages too.

2024 Dates

March 6th, April 3rd (Volunteer Appreciation), May 1st, June 4th, July 3rd, August 7th, September 4th, October 2nd, November 6th, December 4th

Trashy Thursday

First Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon

Volunteer with us to keep our wildlife safe and our preserves clean. We'll be picking up trash along Smith and Engle roads on the 1st Thursday of each month, from 10 am - Noon. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. We'll provide safety vests, gloves, trash bags, trash grabbers and snacks! Cancelled if raining.

2024 Dates

March 7th, April 4th (Annual Spring Clean-up), May 2nd, June 5th, July TBD, August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th

Volunteer Orientation

Thursday, March 21st from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at 5000 Smith Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Come learn about what volunteer opportunities LRWP has to offer! Lead by Executive Director Amy Silva, who will share her experience, and introduce you to the various volunteer roles at LRWP. You must fill out a volunteer application at lrwp.org/volunteerapplication and receive an invite before attending.

Nest Watch Training

Saturday, March 9th 10:00AM to 12:00PM at the Eagle Marsh Barn 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Do you love watching birds at our preserves or in your own backyard? Join us for our Nestwatch Monitor Training and learn how to safely check on and record what’s happening in bird nests, natural or manmade, and contribute to this nationwide community science program. LRWP volunteers contribute data to this University of Cornell project every year! After completing this training, you can monitor nests at home or as a volunteer at our preserves. This training will be led by experienced volunteer and Indiana Master Naturalist Nancy Kilduski.

Click to register.

Weed Wrangle: Invasive Shrub Removal

Wednesday, March 13th. 20th. and 27th

5:00PM to 7:00PM at 5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804

Meet at our office: 5000 Smith Rd, Fort Wayne IN 46804 Join us to learn why and how to identify invasive bush honeysuckle, privet, and buckthorn species (or garlic mustard, depending on status pf plants), then hike with us to remove as many of these as we can! Removing invasive species is crucial to preserving biodiversity, and we can't do it without you. Come make an impact in your community!
Please dress for the weather and be prepared to get dirty! We will provide instruction, hand tools and gloves.

Click to register.

Public Hikes & Programs

short hikes for short legs

This event is fun for children ages 3 to 5 with a responsible adult. Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne. Please dress for the weather and boots are recommended. Please register at least 24 hours in advance by clicking the link under each event. Feel free to contact Aly Munger at a.munger@lrwp.org, or by calling 260-387-0399 with any questions.

Short Hikes for Short Legs: Signs of Spring

Wednesday, March 20th, 2024 10:00am-11:00am

Spring has sprung! Celebrate the arrival of Spring with us as we uncover the magic of the changing season. Young adventurers will learn about blooming flowers, buzzing insects, and the wonders of growth. Dress for the weather, and don't forget your boots for outdoor discoveries. This event is ideal for children aged 3 to 5, accompanied by a responsible adult. RSVPs are appreciated, but walk-ins are eagerly welcomed to embrace the spirit of Spring.

Click to register.

Short Hikes for Short Legs

Little River Ramblers

Every Tuesday, from 9:00am to 11:00am

Dress for the weather, boots are recommended. Bring binoculars if you'd like a close-up view!

 

February 2024-Eagle Marsh Boy Scout Office (8315 W Jefferson Blvd Fort Wayne, IN 46804.)

February 6th, 13th, and 20th

Last Tuesday in February 2024 - Eagle Marsh East  (5000 Smith Rd Fort Wayne, In 46804.)

February 27th

March 2024- Arrowhead (8624 Aboite Rd, Roanoke, IN 46783)

March 5th, 12th, and 19th

Last Tuesday in March 2024 - Buttonbush (8533 Amber Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46814)

March 26th

Ramblers Hike

Breakfast on the marsh

Each month at 8:30am - Well-seasoned nature lovers (50+), join us for a nature presentation.  Feel free to contact Aly Munger at a.munger@lrwp.org, or by calling 260-387-0399 with any questions.

Breakfast on the Marsh: Exploring the Skies: From Atmospheric Wonders to Solar Eclipses

Thursday, March 14th from 8:30 am to 10:00 am at Indiana Wesleyan University 

(8211 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804)

Come join LRWP and the FW Astronomical Society on March 14th at 8:30 am at the Indiana Wesleyan Conference Center for an enthralling presentation. We'll delve into astronomy and the much-anticipated April 8 solar eclipse. Beginning with a glimpse into celestial marvels, we'll then uncover the mechanics and significance of this upcoming eclipse. This session promises an enlightening experience, offering a glimpse into the stunning beauty of our skies.

Click here to register.

Breakfast on the Marsh

Weather policy

All programs are cancelled if any of the following conditions occur within Allen County:

  • Southwest Allen County Schools close due to inclement weather

  • A winter storm warning is issued

  • A thunderstorm warning is issued

  • A tornado warning is issued

  • Hikes are cancelled if the heat index is 100° F or greater

  • Hikes are cancelled if the wind chill is 10° F or colder

For other inclement weather or dangerous site conditions not mentioned above (ie. flood conditions, downed power lines), programs may be subject to cancellation if deemed unsafe.

If there is lightning seen or thunder heard (by an adult) during a hike, ALL PARTICIPANTS AND LRWP VOLUNTEERS must return to the barn.  The scheduled event on the marsh can continue 30 minutes after the last lightning was seen or thunder heard.  The program is allowed to continue in the barn.

Weather Policy

Directions

Directions
Arrowhead Marsh & Arrowhead Prairie

8624 Aboite Road, Roanoke, IN 46783. Both Arrowhead preserves are on Aboite Road southwest of Fort Wayne, Indiana. From Fort Wayne, take Route 24 (Jefferson Blvd.) past Homestead Road and turn left on Redding Drive. Proceed about 1.5 miles to where Aboite Road T’s into Redding Drive. Turn left and go about a block: Arrowhead Prairie is on the right--park near the buildings. Arrowhead Marsh is on the left--parking to access either preserve will be at Arrowhead Prairie. The gate will be open for scheduled programming only. Please do not park in front of gate when closed, you may park in front of the split rail fence area.

  Google Map of Arrowhead Preserves

Eagle Marsh Green Gate

6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. From West Jefferson Boulevard, turn east on Engle Road. Travel approximately 1/2 mile and turn south on gravel road. Travel down the gravel road to the red and tan barn. Weather permitting, the gate is open Tuesday-Thursday from 11am-3pm. Please do not park in front of gate when closed, you may park at the Gateway Parking Lot paralleling Engle Road.

  Google Map of Eagle Marsh

Little River Wetlands Project Office
(Parking for Eagle Marsh East)

5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Located on the southwest side of Smith Road from the intersection of Smith and Engle.

  Google Map of Little River Wetlands Project Office

West Entrance to Eagle Marsh
(Boy Scout Office Parking Lot)

8315 W. Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804. Turn off at Olde Canal Place Road (opposite Lutheran Hospital entrance on W. Jefferson Blvd.) and proceed to the end of the road. 

  Google Map of Boy Scout Office

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