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News Briefs
Four new bird species have been seen at Eagle Marsh this spring
Four new bird species have been seen at Eagle Marsh this spring -- a Brewer's blackbird, common loon, Le Conte's sparrow and greater scaup. The total seen at the preserve now stands at 208.
Female turtles are laying their eggs
Female turtles are laying their eggs about this time, and some of them are choosing to do so right in the middle of our trails. Watch your step, please!
Be a Trailblazer!
LRWP has joined forces with ACRES Land Trust, Allen County Parks, Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation, Fort Wayne Trails, and New Haven Parks & Recreation in debuting Allen County Trailblazers (ACT), an exciting new county-wide hiking program. Hikers who complete any 10 of 15 specified trails, including two at LRWP preserves, will receive a bronze medallion that can be mounted on a walking stick (available to purchase at $3), as well as a sticker with the logos of all participating organizations. For more information, visit www.allencountytrailblazers.org.
News Updates
Earth Day Fort Wayne draws a crowd
About 500 people planted native trees, scooped up crayfish in dip nets and got up-close looks at hawks and owls on Sunday, April 22, at Eagle Marsh, as part of a community-wide Earth Day celebration hosted by Aqua Indiana and LRWP. Sixteen environmental and conservation organizations passed out information, while a series of workshops were offered on topics ranging from Indiana frogs to rain barrels.
"Earth Day Fort Wayne was one of the largest turnouts we've had at Eagle Marsh," said Sean Nolan, LRWP executive director. "We're delighted that so many people share our organization's interest in conservation and sustainability."
Governor Daniels Visits Eagle Marsh
On March 23, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels visited Eagle Marsh, which was a big thrill for our small organization. He was in town to talk with us and Department of Natural Resources staff about our conservation efforts, our collaboration with Fort Wayne Trails, and our Asian carp fence.
"What the Little River folks are doing at Eagle Marsh brings together two of the things we've worked hardest on: one is the constantly improved protection of our beautiful spaces," Daniels said. "They're doing a wonderful job of restoring and bringing back the wetlands and habitat here, but also trails and wellness and fitness. So we're happy to support it and celebrate what this great group of citizens is accomplishing."
At his visit, Daniels also presented LRWP with a $20,000 check on behalf of the Indiana Heritage Trust. The money represents a promised award toward the purchase in 2010 of 11 acres of woods at Eagle Marsh.
Liz Hincks has joined LRWP as our seasonal Education Assistant, and is already working with Director Preserves and Programs Betsy Yankowiak on a great line-up of summer programs.
Liz has B.S. and M.S. degrees from Indiana University and more than 25 years of experience as a teacher in elementary education. Among her many professional accomplishments, Liz has developed outdoor education curriculums and served on the Fox Island County Park Alliance board of directors. You're likely to see Liz out on the trails this summer, so be sure to say hello!
All LRWP members are invited to attend our annual meeting on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 6:30 p.m. at the LRWP office, 2403 Fairoak Drive, Fort Wayne.
After a brief update by board president Larry ("Doc") Wiedman, those at the meeting will vote on the following board members up for reelection to three-year terms: Bill Etzler, Vice President of Aqua Indiana; Karen Surguine, Vice President of American Mortgage & Realty Corporation, and Renee Wright, a freelance communications consultant. Bill and Karen serve on LRWP's development committee. Renee chairs its marketing and publicity committee.
LRWP's annual meeting is a good place for members to meet the board and staff, ask questions, and give their input about what is happening at LRWP.
New Pedestrian Bridge at Eagle Marsh
Eagle Marsh visitors can now access all parts of the preserve more easily by crossing a pedestrian bridge over the Graham-McCulloch Ditch, thanks to the generosity of Steel Dynamics, Inc. of Fort Wayne and New Millennium, Inc. of Butler, Indiana.
The ditch that runs through Eagle Marsh divides its 716 acres of varied wetland habitats almost exactly in half. Previously, visitors could get from one side of the preserve to the other only by walking the entire Towpath Trail along the north boundary or driving between the east and west entrances on Engle Road and Olde Canal Place Drive.
The new bridge crosses the Graham-McCulloch Ditch from the southeast corner of Trail 1 on the west side of Eagle Marsh to an extension of Trail 6 on the east side. Be sure to check it out soon!