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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Frog-a-palooza (fundraiser)
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Monarch Festival
Save the Date: Earth Day Fort Wayne 2024
Sunday, April 21st 2023 from 1:00PM to 5:00PM
Join us for the a free large community event. Celebrate our planet with us! There will be education stations, vendors, food trucks and fun! Learn for our fellow conservation partners on how you can make a difference today!
Save the Date: Monarch Festival 2024
Sunday, September 8th, 2023 from 12:00PM to 5:00PM
Join us for the a free large community event. It is apart of Be a Tourist in Your Own Hometown while learning and experiencing the importance of the wetlands right in the community. Experience the beauty of the marsh while celebrating the Monarch's Trip back to Mexico.
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.
2023 Dates
October 4th, November 1st, December 6th
2024 Dates
January 3rd, February 7th, March 6th, April 3rd, May 1st, June 4th, July 3rd, August 7th, September 4th, October 2nd, November 6th, December 4th
Trashy Thursday
First Thursday of the month from 10:00 am to 12:00 Noon
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! Cancelled if raining.
2023 Dates
October 5th, November 2nd, December 7th
2024 Dates
January 4th, February 1st, March 7th, April 4th, May 2nd, June 5th, July 4th TBD, August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th, December 5th
Mugs on the Marsh
Saturday, October 14th from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Join us on the 2nd Saturday each month for a phenology hike. These hikes are FREE and will be led by knowledgeable volunteers from the Northeast Chapter of the Indiana Native Plant Society and Little River Wetlands Project. We'll meet at 10:30am in front of the LRWP offices, and then head out to hike. The hike will end at between 11:30 am and noon.
Please dress for the weather and wear rubber boots for muddy terrain. Binoculars are always good to bring, too. Hope to see you there!
Volunteer Orientation
Thursday, September 21st from 6:00 to 7:00 PM at 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: Star Gazing
Wednesday, September 20th from 8:00PM to 10:00PM at Arrowhead 68624 Aboite Road Roanoke, IN 46783
Join us on September 20th, 2023, from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Arrowhead Prairie for an extraordinary night of celestial exploration. The Fort Wayne Astronomical Society will be bringing out their telescopes to explore the night sky. They will speak about how their telescopes work and show off Saturn! This free event, suitable for all ages, encourages you to bring your curiosity, blankets, and chairs for an evening under the stars. Don't miss the chance to connect with fellow enthusiasts, gaze at Saturn, and deepen your appreciation of the universe's mysteries. (Weather conditions may apply; updates available on our website/facebook.) RSVPs encouraged, walk-ins welcome.
Weed Wrangle: Honeysuckle Removal
Sunday, October 8th from 2:00PM to 4:00PM at 5000 Smith Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Join us in removing invasive honeysuckle bushes along trail 11 at our Eagle Marsh East property. 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 LRWP office: 5000 Smith Rd. RSVP via email to Eva Curtis.
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 and boots are recommended. 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.
Nature Art
Wednesday, September 20th from 10:00AM to 11:00AM
Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle Road, 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. 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, walk-ins welcome.
Wetland Wonder: Decomposers
Wednesday, October 18th from 10:00AM to 11:00AM
Where do all of the leaves go? Meet us at the Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne to learn about what happens to all of the falling leaves and the animals in the winter. 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, walk-ins 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!
September 2023 - Arrowhead (Meet at 8624 Aboite Center Road Roanoke, IN 46783)
September 5th, 12th, 19th
Last Tuesday in September 2023 - Arrowhead (Meet at 6824 Aboite Road Roanoke, IN 46783)
September 26th
October 2023 -Eagle Marsh Barn for Eagle Marsh Hike (6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46804.)
October 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th
Last Tuesday in October 2023 - Eagle Marsh East (Eagle Marsh East (Meet at office 5000 Smith Rd Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
October 31st
Breakfast on the marsh
Each month at 8:30am - Well-seasoned nature lovers (50+), join us for a nature presentation. Feel free to contact Aly Munger at a.munger@lrwp.org, or by calling 260-387-0399 with any questions.
Breakfast on the Marsh: Phillip Anderson Unearthed Speakers Bureau
Thursday, October 18th from 8:30 am to 9:45 am at Indiana Wesleyan University
(8211 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804)
Join us, October 18th, for Breakfast on the Marsh to hear Phillip Anderson's presentation Upstream, Downstream: Sharing the Watershed. Phillip Anderson a part of the Unearthed Speakers Bureau Program put on by Indiana Humanities. He is also the founder of Rethink Consulting and an IUPUI professor. During his presentation he will examine the multiple purposes of Watersheds and how actions of daily living affect the way others interact with watersheds. This presentation was made possible through a grant from Indiana Humanities! Thank you!
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.