Programs
LITTLE RIVER RAMBLERS
Tuesdays from 9:00 am - 11:00 am
May 5, 12, 19 - LRWP Office - EM West
May 26 - Eagle Marsh East
Explore all facets of Eagle Marsh with a varied group of nature enthusiasts during this free hike. Don't forget to dress appropriately for the weather, and bring binoculars if desired. The starting point every Tuesday (except the last) in February, May, August and November will the LRWP Office - EM West (8315 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne). On the last Tuesday of the month, the starting point will be Eagle Marsh East.
BREAKFAST ON THE MARSH
Tom Swinford - The Wabash-Maumee Portage and the Human Story of Indiana
Thursday, May 14, 2026 from 8:30-10 am
LRWP Office Conference Room
8315 W Jefferson Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Admission is $8 or free for LRWP members.
In this visually rich presentation, Tom Swinford of Sycamore Land Trust brings the Wabash-Maumee valley to life through the sweep of time. Through maps, imagery, and natural history, he explores movement and change in the land and the human story, revealing how these rivers once connected Indiana to a vast transcontinental world. Tom draws on his long experience in Indiana conservation to illuminate the enduring relationship between land, water, and people.
Tom Swinford has spent more than three decades advancing conservation across Indiana, helping protect and restore some of the state’s most important natural landscapes. His work with organizations including Indiana DNR Nature Preserves, The Nature Conservancy, and Sycamore Land Trust has focused on land protection, restoration, and building lasting conservation partnerships. He brings a broad, long-term perspective on how wetlands and other natural systems shape Indiana’s ecological future.
RSVP: https://www.lrwp.org/event-details-registration/breakfast-on-the-marsh-tom-swinford
CONNECTING WATERS HIKE: The Historic Portage at Eagle Marsh
May 14, 2026, 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Explore the continental divide at Eagle Marsh with Tom Swinford. Learn how this historic portage has been used since the early settlement of the region and how it connects the two major watersheds. Discover the intersection of natural history, waterways, and human activity in this unique landscape.
SHORT HIKES FOR SHORT LEGS: Pond Dipping for Aquatic Insects
Wednesday, May 20, 2026, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804
Join us at Eagle Marsh, 6801 Engle Road, on May 20th from 10:00 to 11:00 AM for a Pond Dipping event. Participants will explore the pond environment and learn about macroinvertebrates through dipping in the pond. Please wear clothes suitable for getting wet. This event is for children aged 3 to 5, accompanied by a responsible adult. Let us know if you plan to attend, but feel free to come on the day of the event.
FROGAPALOOZA
May 21, 2026, 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Bergstaff Place, 2020 E Washington Blvd, Fort Wayne, IN 46803, USA
Join us Thursday, May 21st from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM for Frogapalooza: Wine, Wetlands & Adventure, our most crucial fundraiser of the year! Enjoy dinner and fine wines with our wine pull, and bid on art pieces in our silent auction.
Admission:
$100 (if ticket bought on or before May 1st) OR
$130 (if ticket bought between May 2nd - May 18th)
Includes dinner, a drink ticket, live music, wine pull, and small art auction. The dress code is business casual. Your support will directly impact the restoration, protection, and education of the Little River wetlands.
Thank you for your support!
BUY TICKETS: https://www.lrwp.org/event-details-registration/frogapalooza-2026
BYO BINOCULARS BIRDING HIKE
May 23, 2026, 9:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Eagle Marsh Barn, 6801 Engle Rd, Fort Wayne, IN 46804, USA
Come and join us for our April bird hike at Eagle Marsh! We will meet at the barn entrance and take the berm trail after passing the barn and pond. The hike will last about 2 hours and cover a total distance of about 2 miles. The trail might be damp in spots, so adequate hiking shoes will be helpful. We will get a chance to see some of our winter residents and maybe even some travelers passing through. The berm trail is great for spotting our area birds.
RSVP: https://www.lrwp.org/event-details-registration/bring-your-own-binoculars-birding-hike-1