Eagle Marsh is a 705 acre wetland preserve located on the southwest border of Fort Wayne, Indiana. Eight miles of trails allow hikers to access the preserve’s varied habitats of shallow water wetland, sedge meadow, prairie, mature forest and young trees. Over 170 kinds of birds and numerous other wild creatures have been seen at Eagle Marsh, among them fifteen bird and two amphibian species endangered or of special concern in Indiana. A pair of bald eagles roosting at the preserve in fall and early winter of 2009 may be planning to nest there next spring.
With the adjacent Fox Island County Park and other privately owned natural properties, Eagle Marsh creates almost two square miles of habitat for birds and other wildlife.
The restoration: LRWP acquired Eagle Marsh (then 676 acres) in 2005 and, after extensive planning, began one of the largest wetland restorations ever undertaken in Indiana. Shallow areas were dug deeper, drain tiles broken, and pumps removed to hold more water on the land, approximating its original hydrology. Over 500 acres were seeded with native rushes, grasses, and wildflowers and approximately 45,000 native trees and shrubs planted. The initial restoration was completed in 2009. Intensive stewardship care will be needed for at least five years to protect the new native plants from being overtaken by invasive species such as reed canary grass and phragmites.
The Eagle Marsh woods: Almost thirty acres of mature forested wetland at the southeast corner of Eagle Marsh were acquired in 2007 and 2008.This woods provides important habitat for many birds and animals that need large trees, sandy soil, or leaf litter to complete their life cycles--such as the black-crowned night heron and blue-spotted salamander, both species of special concern in Indiana. A woods trail is accessible for visitors except during deer hunting season (because of hunting on an adjacent property) or when the trail is too wet. See this mature forest on a Tuesday morning Little River Ramblers hike leaving from the Eagle Marsh barn off of Engle Road, one-half mile east of West Jefferson Blvd. in Fort Wayne, from March through October.
We’ve carved out a woods trail for hikers and birders, accessible when it’s not too wet. The best way to see it is to attend one of our Tuesday morning Little River Ramblers hikes that leave from the Eagle Marsh barn off of Engle Road, one-half mile east of West Jefferson Blvd. in Fort Wayne during spring, summer, and early fall.
Eagle Marsh becomes more wonderful every year. Please visit this unique preserve.
Click here for more about our preserves' different habitats and the creatures that live there.