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 - Sunday, September 12
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Frogapalooza (fundraiser) - Saturday, October 16 to Sunday, October 17
public hikes & Programs
Know Your Butterflies: Field Training
Saturday, May 15 from 1pm to 3pm
This field training is the second part of a community science training led by Michigan Butterfly Network focusing on butterfly identification. To join our hike, you must first attend the virtual classroom training on April 25 from 1-4pm. Click here for the virtual classroom link.
On May 15, join John Brittenham, of Blue Heron Ministries, as he leads a hike down Trail 8 to teach us tips and tricks for collecting the best butterfly data.
Please RSVP within 24 hours of the field training hike by clicking here.
Pollinator Planting
Saturday, May 15 from 2pm to 4pm
Help us restore our marsh with native plants that support pollinators! The area we're planting in is along the Towpath Trail, right across from our neighbors at Coventry Meadows. Come ready to dig in the marsh, and bring your garden gloves. Parking is at our main entrance, or at the Towpath Trailhead, both along Engle Rd.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Hoosier Riverwatch Training
Saturday, May 22 from 10am to 12pm
Jump into this wet project and learn what it takes to be a community scientist as you help us monitor the quality of waterways coming into and flowing from the marsh! We'll meet at a local waterway and teach attendees how to use simple chemistry tests and macroinvertebrate identification as indicators of aquatic habitat health. LRWP will provide all the equipment and knee boots if you need them.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
A Walk in the Wetlands
Sunday, May 23 from 1pm to 2:30pm
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 (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) 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. Come dressed for the weather and possible wet conditions at the marsh. This event is fun for all friends and families, face coverings for adults are required.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Urban Turtle Research Night
Wednesday, May 26 from 6:30pm to 7:30pm
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) as PFW professor, Dr. Mark Jordan, tells us about the turtle research projects at Eagle Marsh. Discover what they have learned from a multi-year study documenting the diversity, movement, and nesting habits of the turtles that call Eagle Marsh home. This information will help us better understand what is needed to restore and preserve habitat necessary to their survival.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Volun-beering
Wednesday, June 2 from 6pm to 8pm
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.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
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 19 from 9:00am to 10:00am
Meet us at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) as we investigate wetland plant seeds, how they travel and also teach how everyone can help, no matter how small, by seed planting for the continuing restoration of Eagle Marsh.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Sunshine Summer
Wednesday, June 16 from 9:00am to 10:00am
Join us for a day exploring at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) as we learn about the sun, and why it's important for the plants and animals that live out here at Eagle Marsh!
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Pollinators
Wednesday, July 21 from 9:00am to 10:00am
Meet us at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) to learn about some of the most important creatures we have in the world, POLLINATORS.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Nature Art
Wednesday, August 18 from 9:00am to 10:00am
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) for a fun day of exploring how we can be creative outdoors! Nature is inspiring and this will be a day you won't want to miss. Make sure you wear clothes that can get a little messy.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
Use Your Senses
Wednesday, September 15 from 9:00am to 10:00am
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne) where we will investigate our senses in nature! We will enjoy activities which help us explore the sense of smell, touch, sight, and sound.
Click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
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!
Arrowhead Prairie
June, September, December
Eagle Marsh barn
May, August, November
Eagle Marsh east (Meet at LRWP office, 5000 Smith Road, Fort Wayne)
Eagle Marsh west entrance (Boy Scout office parking lot)
July, October
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.
Eagle Marsh Turtle Research
Thursday, May 13 from 8:30am to 9:45am
Join us for a hybrid presentation as we hear from Zach Kellogg, a graduate student at Purdue Fort Wayne, as he speaks on the extensive turtle research over the past 2 years that he lead. He will speak on his method, findings, and anecdotes of catching and tracking snapping turtles. This presentation can be viewed virtually (via Zoom) or at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne).
Please click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
The Top Ten Most Surprising and Weird Insects in Indiana
Thursday, June 10 from 8:30am to 9:45am
Join us for a hybrid presentation as we hear Vince Gresham, from the Cardno Native Plant Nursery team, as he speaks on one of his favorite topics, insects. He will talk about beetles that ride on the backs of a bees, wasps that feed their babies spiders, aphids that turn into mummies… Vince will share these and other insect stories during this introduction to the weirdest insects of Indiana. This presentation can be viewed virtually (via Zoom) or at the Eagle Marsh barn (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne).
Please click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.
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
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--park in the grassy area near the sign, but use caution if the area is wet.
Google Map of Arrowhead Preserves
Eagle Marsh main gate (open during scheduled events)
6801 Engle Road. 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.
Little River Wetlands Project Office
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)
Turn off at Olde Canal Place Road (opposite Lutheran Hospital entrance on W. Jefferson Blvd.) and proceed to the end of the road.