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 - Saturday, February 1, 2020
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Earth Day Fort Wayne - Sunday, April 26, 2020
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Urban Turtle Festival Weekend - Saturday & Sunday, June 6 & 7, 2020
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Frogapalooza (fundraiser) - Saturday, September 12, 2020
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Monarch Festival - Sunday, September 13, 2020
public hikes & Programs
Moonlit Ugly Holiday Sweater Hike
Friday, December 13, from 6:00pm to 7:30pm
Meet us at the Eagle Marsh barn, sporting a headlamp and if you've got one, your best ugly sweater for a moonlit hike! We will enjoy a great evening hike followed by warm drinks. Please dress for the weather, rubber/winter boots and thick socks are recommended.
First Day Hike
Wednesday, January 1, from 1:00pm to 2:00pm
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn to welcome the new year in the outdoors, exercising and connecting with nature. Please dress for the weather, rubber boots are recommended.
National Bird Day
Sunday, January 5, from 9:30am to 11:00am
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn to explore the overwintering birds on National Bird Day. Please dress for the weather, rubber boots are recommended.
Winter Hike
Saturday, February 15, from 2:00pm to 3:30pm
Join Beth Ricketts, and the Indiana Native Plant Society, Northeast Chapter, for a winter hike at the west side of Eagle Marsh. Winter is a wonderful season to experience these wetlands! Please meet us at the Boy Scout Office parking lot. Dress for the weather - waterproof boots are recommended.
short hikes for short legs
Third Wednesday of each month at 9:00am - 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.
Short Hikes for Short Legs: Who is Home?
Wednesday, November 20, from 9:00am to 10:00am
Where is everyone going? We will start in the Eagle Marsh barn, spending our time exploring and trying to identify who is home at this time of year and who is heading somewhere else. We will cover the topic of migration and what that means to the wildlife that inhabits our property.
Short Hikes for Short Legs: Bird Buffet
Wednesday, December 18, from 9:00am to 10:00am
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn to look for winter birds, and learn about how they survive and where they go. We will also learn about how we can help our local birds.
Short Hikes for Short Legs: The Life Cycle of a Snowflake
Wednesday, January 15, from 9:00am to 10:00am
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn as we answer questions like, "Why does it snow?", "Why snow is white?", and more!
Short Hikes for Short Legs: Animals in Winter
Wednesday, February 19, from 9:00am to 10:00am
Meet us at the Eagle Marsh barn as we learn about all of the animals that tough out our cold Indiana winters.
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
November, March
Eagle Marsh barn
December, February
Eagle Marsh west entrance (Boy Scout office parking lot)
October, January
Breakfast on the marsh
Second Thursday of each month at 8:30am - Well-seasoned nature lovers (50+), join us for a light breakfast and nature presentation at the Indiana Wesleyan University Education & Conference Center, Room 102/104, 8211 W. Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne. Please register with us by emailing Aly Munger at a.munger@lrwp.org, or calling 260-478-2515, so we can be sure to have enough food.
In an effort to discontinue single-use items at our programs, please consider bringing your own coffee mug to our Breakfast on the Marsh event!
How Urban Habitats Improve Water Quality
Thursday, November 14, from 8:30am to 9:45am
Water quality is very important not only for humans, but also for wildlife. Urban areas present unique ways in which residents can either help or hinder improving water quality. Join Jessica L. Merkling, an Urban Biologist from Indiana Department of Natural Resources, as she shares with us how urban habitats improve water quality.
Reclaimed Creations by Sayaka Ganz
Thursday, December 12, from 8:30am to 9:45am
Join us as Sayaka Ganz speaks on her background, inspirations, and work as a sculptor using reclaimed plastic household objects as her materials. Sayaka creates vibrant sculptures of the natural world and animals made from discarded materials giving them a new beautiful life.
Volunteer events
Volun-beer with us the first Thursday of every month!
Thursday, November 7, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Thursday, December 5, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Join us at Hop River Brewing Company, 1515 N Harrison St, Fort Wayne IN 46808, for an evening of stewardship and volunteering! We will be "bumping up" seedlings to larger, more accommodating pots that will eventually be planted at Eagle Marsh. There will be seedlings available to take home as well.
Don't want to get your hands dirty? We also need help preparing materials for community events! Whatever your preference, we appreciate your time and help.
Support a local non-profit and a local brewery while having fun with family and friends!
This is a family friendly event, all ages are welcome!
For questions, please email Maraiah Russell at m.russell@lrwp.org or Aly Munger at a.munger@lrwp.org.
Volunteer Appreciation Event
Wednesday, November 13, from 6:00pm to 8:00pm
Please join us for a night where we get to serve you! Join us for a pizza party at our office, as we discuss all the amazing work you did over the year, and what we would like to do in 2020. Plus, we will hand out the awards for all the hard work you have done throughout 2019. You’re welcome to bring along your family.
Please RSVP to Maraiah Russell at m.russell@lrwp.org, or by calling 260-478-2515, by November 6.
Hope you can make it to this laid back and fun event put on just for you!
training programs
There are no programs happening in the near future. Check back soon!
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.