Did you know that 85% of Indiana’s original wetlands have been destroyed? In the last twenty years, scientists have begun to recognize the many benefits of wetlands. Little River Wetlands Project has risen to the challenge of restoring and preserving wetlands with the help of its many members and volunteers. LRWP now protects almost 1,200 acres of wetlands in the Little River watershed southwest of Fort Wayne.

What is a wetland?

It is land that supports vegetation that will grow only where it is wet at least part of the year. Yes, wetlands are defined by their vegetation! Typically, areas that are wet much of the year are interspersed with drier areas that are under water only part of the year or not at all. Special plants, trees, and shrubs that need lots of moisture grow in the wetter parts of wetlands. In upland areas, there will be different kinds of plants and trees. Read below about how LRWP’s wetlands help wildlife, people, and communities.

How wetlands benefit wildlife:

LRWP’s 25,000-acre project area in the Little River valley supported tens of thousands of birds and other wildlife before it was drained for agricultural use in the late 1800s. As the hydrology and habitats of our three wetland preserves have been restored, wildlife has begun returning in abundance. Almost 200 bird species have been seen at Eagle Marsh alone. Our Little River Landing preserve in Huntington, already in a natural state, welcomes diverse wildlife as well.

Many species of wildlife use more than one habitat during their life cycles. Our natural and restored habitats include wet/marshy areas, sedge meadows, prairies, and newly planted native trees and shrubs. Eagle Marsh also offers almost 70 acres of mature forested wetland and Arrowhead Marsh provides 13 wooded acres where salamanders, owls, and other woodland creatures thrive.

Imperiled wildlife often need larger and wilder areas for their survival than other creatures do. LRWP is proud that 24 bird and two amphibian species endangered or of special concern in Indiana have been seen at our preserves. About half of all federally endangered wildlife relies on wetlands for survival.

How wetlands benefit people:

LRWP’s wetland preserves offer numerous recreational opportunities including hiking, birding, and nature photography. Studies have found that nature experiences enhance people’s physical and emotional health. Children especially benefit from being out in nature. LRWP’s free nature education programs, serving more than 3,000 children and adults annually, help visitors to our preserves learn about wetland ecosystems and the plants and animals that live there.

Eagle Marsh offers eight miles of trails through diverse habitats and Arrowhead Marsh has a one-and-a-half mile nature trail through marsh, woods and prairie. Several miles of trails will be created at Arrowhead Prairie in 2011. Also in 2011 the Towpath Trail, a multiuse community trail bordering Eagle Marsh, will connect to the Aboite New Trails network along the edge of Eagle Marsh south of Engle Road. A trailhead is to be built on Engle Road with parking for visitors.