LRWP offers free nature recreation and education programs for children, adults, and families year-round. These include regular weekly and monthly nature hikes, occasional night hikes, night nature presentations, a monthly nature presentation and light breakfast for seniors 50+, and more.
School groups and other children's groups are welcome at our preserves. Teachers, our trained trail guides are familiar with meeting Indiana State Standards. Just let us know what you’re studying and we can tailor a program that’s relevant to the classroom and also hits many of the standards for your grade level. Please call to make arrangements for a guided field trip—it’s free! Trips are arranged on a first come, first serve basis.
Scouts, our staff and volunteers are available to work with you to meet requirements for different badges. Please make arrangements in advance to make sure we will have someone available to help you.
Apply to bring a children's group to a LRWP preserve.
Adult groups may also wish to visit our preserves or attend stewardship events. Please call us if your employee group, club, hiking group, birding group, church, or other community group is interested in a guided visit or stewardship event.
Offsite presentations can be given about our preserves and programs to businesses, clubs or other community groups through special arrangments by our staff or volunteers. Classroom presentations on wetland topics may also be arranged on a limited basis.
For more information or to sign up click on any event below, call 260-478-2515, or email us.
Special Events
Salamander Strut
Saturday, March 24 and Friday, March 30Come to Eagle Marsh either of these nights to witness an astounding natural phenomenon under the cover of darkness: the mass migration of the salamanders! Dress for the weather and be ready to get dirty and possibly wet; we'll be turning over logs and wading into shallow water wetlands to search for these important little amphibians. Wear rubber boots and bring a flashlight if you can.
Saturday Hiking
Who Goes There?
Saturday, March 3, from 1:00pm to 3:00pmJoin us as we discover what interesting creatures have been out and about at Arrowhead Prairie and what they have been up to. We will learn how to identify common animals by their tracks and various other signs they may leave behind.
The Ducks are Back!
Saturday, April 7, from 1:00pm to 3:00pmJoin birding expert Paul McAfee as we walk the edges of Eagle Marsh ponds to find many different species of ducks. Paul has seen all the dabbling duck species that can be seen in this area at Eagle Marsh in one day! Hope you can join us.
Little River Ramblers
Little River Ramblers
Every Tuesday, from 9:00am to 11:00amMeet at the Eagle Marsh barn from March through December and at the Boy Scout office parking lot January through February. Hike to explore and record the flora and fauna of Eagle Marsh. Make sure to dress for the weather.
Breakfast on the Marsh
Introducing FrogWatch USA.
Thursday, February 9, from 8:00am to 10:00amPlease join us as Indiana Master Naturalist and long-time volunteer Russ Voorhees explains the citizen scientist program "FrogWatch USA." Come and discover why monitoring amphibians is so important for the future health of our environment. Learn to identify NE Indiana's 11 frog and toad species by their mating calls. Russ will give information about how you can get involved in the 2012 count sponsored by the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo.
Go Native! Transform Your Garden with Native Plants
Thursday, March 8, from 8:00am to 10:00amHave you been curious about adding native plants to your landscape, but wonder where and how to get started? Have you tried to garden with native plants, but ran into trouble? Join us as native plant expert Laura Stine gives us the dirt about these wildlife-friendly plants and how to use them, with time to have all your questions answered.
How Garlic Mustard is Affecting our Habitats and What You Can Do About It
Thursday, April 12, from 8:00am to 10:00amBased on his 40+ years of experience managing garlic mustard. volunteer Ellsworth Smith will provide information about this problematic but interesting plant species. He will also divulge some great ways to more easily manage this species depending on the time of year.
Volunteer Opportunities
Do You Want to Be a Preserve Steward?
Tuesday, February 28 from 12:30pm to 1:20pm ORWednesday, February 29 from 7:00pm to 8:00pm
Want to help LRWP, but need to work on your own time schedule? Do you like to wander through natural areas and collect information about what's happening with the plants and animals there? If so, please join us for an information meeting about our new Preserve Monitor volunteer position.
Invasive Species Inspector Training, Part 1
Wednesday, March 7, from 7:00pm to 8:30pmThis is an advanced training for individuals that want to help track invasive plant species at LRWP preserves. In this training, you will learn to identify invasive species known to be on our properties and where the infestations are. We will also describe specific duties of the Invasive Species Inspector volunteer position. (Part 2 of the training is on April 7 at Eagle Marsh-see below.) Meet at the Aboite Library, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne.
Eagle Marsh Clean-Up
Saturday, March 24, from 10:00am to 12:00pmJoin us as we clear out the litter that has collected on our trails and into our wetlands. Please bring work gloves and boots that will keep your feet dry.
Directions
Boy Scout Office Parking Lot
Turn off at Olde Canal Place Road (the Verizon Exit on W. Jefferson Blvd.) and proceed to the end of the road.
Eagle Marsh main gate (open during scheduled events)
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.
Arrowhead Marsh & Arrowhead Prairie
From U.S. 24 turn south on Redding Dr. Aboite Road T's into Redding Dr., turn south.
Arrowhead Marsh:
is on the east side of Aboite Rd. just past the chicken barn. Park in the grassy lot adjacent to the metal Arrowhead Marsh sign.
is on the west side of Aboite Rd. just past the Arrowhead Marsh entrance to the east. Park near the small, white out-building.
Note: Use caution during wet seasons as the Arrowhead Marsh parking area may be inaccessible.
Do not park along Aboite Road - it is illegal.
Cancellations
Please Note:
All programs are cancelled if Southwest Allen County Schools close due to inclement weather. Our hikes are cancelled if the wind chill is 10 °F or colder.
