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
Wednesday, May 4th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm 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.
City Nature Challenge
Friday, April 29th through Monday, May 2nd
The City Nature Challenge is an annual, global, community science competition to document urban biodiversity. The challenge is a bioblitz that engages residents and visitors to find and document plants, animals, and other organisms living in urban areas. Participating is as easy as taking a picture! Everyone can participate, from school age to senior citizens. Join us in recording who and what lives in Fort Wayne! Check out our project page https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/city-nature-challenge-2021-fort-wayne-area and stay tuned to our website for details. Email Maraiah Russell at m.russell@lrwp.org for more info.
Backyard Bioblitz
Saturday, May 2nd from 12:00pm to 3:00pm
Get a picture of everything wild in your backyard or local green space! Weeds, mushrooms, roly-poly bugs, they all count. Look under rocks and dig in the mulch, there’s life everywhere. If it’s wild, we want to know about it! Email Maraiah Russell with questions about the challenge: m.russell@lrwp.org
Public Hike: A Walk In The Wetlands - American Wetlands Month - Canceled
We will reschedule soon.
Saturday, May 7th from 12:30pm to 1:30pm
It's American Wetlands month! Join us for a talk and walk in the wetlands at Eagle Marsh Nature Preserve. We will meet at the Eagle Marsh trailhead and learn about how this large urban wetland is helping our community’s quality of life. Wetlands not only provide cleaner water but also is a great place to experience and photograph wildlife. Please dress for the weather and possible wet conditions at the marsh. Please dress for the weather, boots are recommended. This event is fun for all friends and families! RSVP's are appreciated, and walk-ins are welcome.
Click here to register.
Trail Guide Training
New date in May TBD
Do you enjoy sharing your love of the environment to those around you? Have you ever thought about becoming a Trail Guide for Little River Wetlands Project? Join us from 6pm to 8pm for Trail Guide Training. We will be going over our programming, expectations, interpretation guidelines, and go on a short hike to demonstrate some different ways to engage your trail group.
This training is free; however, you will need to register 24 hours in advance by filling out your information below or calling 260-387-0399. Please dress for the weather and boots are always recommended.
Click here to register.
Weed Wrangle - Garlic Mustard
Wednesday, May 11th from 6:00pm to 8:00 pm
Weed Wrangle Join us in removing invasive garlic mustard plants at Eagle Marsh West. This will give the native plants the room they need to thrive, and in doing so feed insects who support the entire food web. All supplies are provided, just wear sturdy shoes and a smile! Meet at the Boy Scout office parking lot: 8315 West Jefferson
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.
Seed To Eagle Marsh
Wednesday, May 18th from 9:00am to 10:00 am
Meet us at the Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle Road, for this event. Learn about swimmers, wigglers, and things that go hop in the water. We will be doing some wetland dipping to discover what lives in the water. Please dress for the weather, boots are recommended. This event is fun for children ages 3 to 5 with a responsible adult. RSVP's are appreciated, and walk-ins are welcome.
Click here to register.
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!
Eagle Marsh Barn (Meet at 6801 Engle Road Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
April 5th, 12th, 19th & 26th
Eagle Marsh West Entrance (By the Boy Scout Office)
May 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 31st
Eagle Marsh East (Meet at LRWP Offices - 5000 Smith Rd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
5th Tuesday - May 31st
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: Teaching Wild Edibles
By: Carrie Vrabel
Thursday, April 14th from 8:30am to 9:45am at the Boy Scout Office
Year-round, you can find things to forage all over. Join us for this month's Breakfast on the Marsh program as Indiana Master Naturalist Carrie Vrabel will share with us her passion of how food can be foraged in Northeast Indiana, all year long.
Click here to register.
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.