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
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World Wetlands Day
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Earth Day Fort Wayne
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Urban Turtle Festival
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Monarch Festival
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Frog-a-palooza (fundraiser)
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.
2022 Dates
December 7th - Canceled
Trashy Thursday
Thursday, November 3rd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM Meeting at Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804
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 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Wear close-toed shoes and long pants. We'll provide safety vests, gloves, trash bags, trash grabbers and snacks! Canceled if raining.
Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, November 17th from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at LRWP Office 5000 Smith Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Come learn about what volunteer opportunities LRWP has to offer! Lead by experienced volunteers who will share their 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.
Public Hike: Beavers - Cancelled Due To Weather
Friday, November 18th from 6:00 PM to 7:15 PM at Eagle Marsh Barn 6801 Engle Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Join us at Eagle Marsh, 6801 Engle Road, from 6:00 to 7:15 PM for a program about beavers! We will explore these nocturnal creatures during the time they become particularly active building their winter lodges in preparation for the cold season. Please dress for the weather, boots are always recommended. This event is fun for all friends and families!
Weed Wrangle -Rescheduled
Saturday, December 3rd from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at LRWP Office 5000 Smith Rd. 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, 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.
Trashy Thursday
Thursday, December 1st from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at LRWP Office 5000 Smith Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Meet at our office: 5000 Smith Rd, Fort Wayne IN 46804 to 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! Canceled if raining.
Native Plant Propagation Series: Winter Seed Sowing Workshop
Saturday, December 3rd from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at Eagle Marsh Barn 6801 Engle Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Our Native Plant Propagation Series continues! If you'd like to get a head start on your native landscaping plans for 2023, spend an afternoon with us at the Eagle Marsh Barn and learn the easiest way to grow native plants from seeds. We’ll provide a recycled plastic container, native flower seeds, and soil. You’ll take home a container that will spend the winter outside and surprise you with seedlings in the spring! This activity is great for all ages. We will be in the barn, all abilities welcome.
Winter Solstice Party!
Wednesday, December 21st from 4:30 to 6:00 PM at Eagle Marsh Barn 6801 Engle Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Join us for the shortest day of the year and let's have a Winter Solstice Party! We'll enjoy the last bit of light on a hike, then snack and learn about Winter Solstice traditions from around the world, make a bird feeder, and craft a solstice lantern. Please dress for the weather, boots are always recommended. This event is fun for all friends and families!
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, boots are recommended, and face coverings for adults are required. 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.
Clouds
Wednesday, December 21st from 9:00 am to 10:00 am
Clouds! We always see them, but what do we know about them? Join us at Eagle Marsh, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne to learn about these fluffy white mysteries. Please dress for the weather, boots are recommended. This event is fun for children ages 3 to 5 with a responsible adult. RSVPs are appreciated, and walk-ins are welcome.
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!
November 2022 - Eagle Marsh West (Meet at the Boy Scout office entrance 8315 W Jefferson, Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
November 1st, 8th, 15th & 22nd
Fifth Tuesday, November 2022 - Eagle Marsh East (Meet at the LRWP offices 5000 Smith Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
November 29th
December 2022 - Arrowhead Prarie Preserve (Meet at 8624 Aboite Road, Roanoke, IN 46783)
December 6th, 13th, 20th & 27th
Breakfast on the marsh
Each month at 8:30am - Well-seasoned nature lovers (50+), join us for a nature presentation. 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.
Breakfast on the Marsh: Jessica Merkling, Urban Wildlife Biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Division of Fish & Wildlife
Thursday, December 8th from 8:30 am to 9:45 am at Indiana Wesleyan University
(8211 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
Join us on December 8th for a Backyard Winter Wildlife presentation by the Urban Wildlife Biologist for Allen County, Jessica Merkling. As an urban biologist, she focuses on living with wildlife, developing habitats, promoting green infrastructure, and education and outreach. Today, she will speak on living with wildlife during winter and what those animals and pollinators are up to during the winter months.
Weather policy
All programs are cancelled if any of the following conditions occur within Allen County:
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Southwest Allen County Schools close due to inclement weather
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A winter storm warning is issued
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A thunderstorm warning is issued
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A tornado warning is issued
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Hikes are cancelled if the heat index is 100° F or greater
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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.
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. The gate is open Monday-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.
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.