Blue-winged teal at Barrett siteDetails on page 4 / Photo by Brian Wood

Fall fund drive, Gateway to Eagle Marsh opening 2-3

FEATURE: New site to honor James Barrett family 4-5

Sam Schwartz honored at Frogapalooza 6-8

Monarch Festival report 9

Events 10-11

IN THIS

ISSUE

L R W P.O R G

On the MarshVOL 27, NO 4 / WINTER 2016

ON THE MARSH / WINTER 20162 3LIT TLE RIVER WETL ANDS PROJECT

LRWP Happenings

Ever started on a nice walk at Eagle Marsh only to find yourself stopped by water on the trail? One goal of this year’s fall fund drive is for help to build more portable boardwalks—wooden platforms about six feet long and six inches to a foot high that can be moved to parts of trails covered by water. Being able to walk without getting wet feet will allow more visitors to enjoy the beautiful sights and interesting wildlife of our wetlands.

The second goal is to purchase up to 50 pairs of binoculars to help children on

school field trips or wetland education program participants of any age see birds and other distant wildlife more clearly. Now where did that eagle go? Ah, there he is—wonderful!

We hope you’ll consider donating for these 2017 goals or, of course, we’re also happy to receive any support to be used where it is needed the most. The next time you, your children or your friends visit Eagle Marsh, you’ll be glad you did.

Fall Fund Drive aims to enhance visitor experiences

Eagle Marsh Gateway, trails open

Black-crowned night herons at Eagle Marsh

About 120 guests joined LRWP, Ducks Unlimited and government officials to celebrate the opening of the new Gateway to Eagle Marsh entrance area and Continental Divide Trail on October 8. An Eagle Marsh sign made of Indiana limestone was unveiled, several dignitaries made remarks, and many people took an inaugural hike on the new 5K Continental Divide trail.

Much of the new trail lies on top of the Graham McCulloch Ditch berm that was enlarged during last year’s construction, allowing visitors to view almost the entire preserve from a higher vantage point. Other trails that were closed due to the construction were also reopened at the event.

To donate, please send your check made out to LRWP in the enclosed envelope and indicate in the “memo” line where you want it to be used. Or, tell us your choice when you call 260-478-2515 to give by credit card.

We are pleased that black-crowned night herons, endangered in Indiana, have been raising young at Eagle Marsh. The mid-size black, grey and white herons roost and often nest in trees. Brian Wood

Richard Cross

Richard Cross

Angela Capps

A 38-acre parcel recently added to Eagle Marsh will be named in honor of the James Barrett family, long-time benefactors of LRWP. The James Barrett Family site of Eagle Marsh, at the northeast corner of Smith and Engle Roads, is a mitigation property replacing 12 acres at Eagle Marsh covered over during recent federal construction. When James Barrett III passed away in 2011, his estate (which included inheritances from James Barrett I and II) made a considerable bequest to our organization.

Eagle Marsh, already the largest inland urban wetland restoration in the U.S., is 756 acres with the addition of the new site. Nine acres there consist of natural wooded wetlands where many kinds of ducks, great egrets and sandhill cranes have been seen. In the past year a federal program cleared invasive plants in this area and restored the other 29 acres to open marsh and wet prairie by seeding them with native grasses, sedges, and wildflowers.

James Barrett III was one of the founders of both LRWP and ACRES Land Trust and, with wife Patricia, provided support to LRWP from its early years until his death. He was a partner in the law firm of Barrett & McNagny and a director of Fort Wayne National Bank for 32 years. A champion for the environment, he drafted the Indiana Nature Preserves Act under which more than 200 Indiana natural areas have been dedicated.

WHOOPING CR ANE Auer FoundationA generous Allen County couple

EAGLE $1,000+Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne

United Way of Allen County

MERGANSER $500+GE Foundation**Lincoln Financial Foundation**

HARRIER $200+Carl BauerIndiana Wildlife FederationRichard & Carol Schwartz

Jane Ann Thompson (In memory of Samuel

Thompson)Whitley County Community Foundation

PEREGRINE $100+Maureen BottertonFred & Mary FeitlerLinda HugePaul & Janet Katz (In honor of Judy Nelsen)

Elizabeth LeppekDon & Idora MillerThomas & Barbara Pehlke (In memory of

Dorthy Bone)Dennis & Rhonda WhiteJames Wine

BLUEBIRD $50+Beth Anderson & Susan Mungovan*

Susan Cooperman*Peter DominowskiGilda Everson (In memory of Dorthy Bone)

Herb’s FriendsDarlene HyndmanHoward KlingerBrian MarcusRay MeekDan & Angie O’NeillJoe Ottinger*Robert & Rita Quinn

HERON $25+Cheryl AllenCheryl Buker*Ruth Dailey & Rita Ludwig

Valerie Everson (In memory of Dorthy Bone)

Gary Fawley*Frances HeadingsJay HenschenRichard Hinton Jr.Alex & Grace MaherCurt MeyerLinda Miller*Randy & Carol Roberts*Smith Family TrustToderick WrightWilliam YankowiakTyler Yeager*

IN MEMORY OFCARL BRADLEYMary Adams Kathleen AntibusChristoff & Christoff

Gretchen GutmanBrett & Polly Hagedorn John & Bonnie Krueckeberg Mercedes Krueger Wayne & Babs Kruse Monarch Capital Management

Sam & Jan SchwartzPhyllis Scroggie J. Carol Suedhoff Vacation Villas

Donors | JULY-SEPTEMBER 2016

ON THE MARSH / WINTER 20164 5LIT TLE RIVER WETL ANDS PROJECT

New Eagle Marsh site to honor the Barrett family

Cover Story

In-Kind DonationsAllegra Printing

John Ellenwood

Marian Futter

Betsy Gemmer

Mary Lou Hutter

Indiana Wesleyan University

Lisa Lanham

Cheryl Noyer

Sam SchwartzTHANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!LRWP is a nonprofit organization and donations are tax-deductible.

* New members

** Company Match

See page 8 for a full list of this year’s Frogapalooza donors

Grace Danel

Barrett Family

Brian Wood

Gary Ferris

ON THE MARSH / WINTER 20166 7LIT TLE RIVER WETL ANDS PROJECT

A lively crowd gathered at the Fort Wayne Country Club on October 22 to honor long-time environmentalist Sam Schwartz as a Hidden Hero of Conservation and to enjoy chatting with friends, bidding on auction items, and eating a delicious dinner. The event raised significant funding to assist with stewardship of LRWP’s wetland preserves and its wetland education programs.

The evening’s highlight was a presentation by LRWP board member Kathie Sessions on the honoree’s life and accomplishments. A co-founder of LRWP and board member until 2007,

Sam Schwartz still helps with stewardship activities at Eagle Marsh. He also cares for native prairie and forest habitat at his 17-acre farm near Leo—land that he restored earlier and protected under conservation easements. Now 83, Sam helps build mountain trails when he and his wife, Jan, spend winters in Arizona.

Kathie ended her presentation by announcing that a plaque in Sam’s honor will be placed near a native plant garden he has established at Eagle Marsh. Her remarks and Sam’s response were met with a standing ovation.

Sam Schwartz honored at Frogapalooza

-FO

XCO

NTRACTORS CORP.

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RT WAYNE, IND

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THECHAFFEE FAMILYFO U N DAT I O N

Dan & Vicki Churchward, Bill & Linda Etzler,Norm & Ronnie Greenberg, Tom & Linda Irmscher, The Wilkin family, Dan & Beth Zweig

Phillips Financial Services CEO Rick Phillips and his wife Penney

Honoree Sam Schwartz and his wife Jan

Honoree Sam Schwartz and board member Kathie Sessions

LRWP’s director of preserves and programs Betsy Yankowiak

Guests viewing some of the

auction items

Sam Schwartz, his wife Jan, and their

extended family

THANKS TO THESE ADDITIONAL SPONSORS

Artist’s rendering of the sign honoring Sam Schwartz at Eagle Marsh

All photos by Richard Cross

THANKS TO OUR WONDERFUL SPONSORS

ON THE MARSH / WINTER 20168 9LIT TLE RIVER WETL ANDS PROJECT

TICKET BUYERSRobert Binder Barb Boerger Janellyn Borden Jeff & Sue Britton Kathy CandiotoChuck & Karen Chaffee Gary Chaney Becky CummingsBill & Flaim Cupp Bill Dailey & Connie Overly Linda Davis Ray & Barb Doyle Anne EmelyPete & Alice Eshelman Matthew & Theresa Farber Sally FelgerLiz Frederick Marcia Futter Conrad Getz Lynne Gilmore Nancy Gossett Mike & Gretchen Gouloff (10)Bob & Kim Grant Bruce & Deb Guebard Steve & Beth Hague Dick & Yvonne Harnly Patrick & Elena HessMary Huntley Tom & Linda IrmscherMarc & Dana Kaminsky Kris & Amber Kimmel Bruce Kingsbury & Catherine Lee Mary LaRoque Louise Larsen Barb LindenDeb Leonard Clyde Mayes Theresa McLarren John & Cindy McMillen David & Susie Meyer Don & Idora Miller Judy Nelsen (8)Keith & Louise Pomeroy Jill PriceKris Purcell Tom & Jean Russell Jackie Schwartz Orrin & Kathie Sessions Dan & Holly Skekloff Tim & Jessica Skiver Art & Karen Surguine Susie Thompson Kevin & Mary Tonne Diane Whitlock Larry & Katie Wiedman Larry & Fran Williams

REGRETS/OTHER DONORSSteve Bennett Carl Bradley Tom & Linda Castaldi John & Barbara Clark Patrick & Phyllis Doyle

Paula Fortini Norm & Ronnie Greenberg James & Anne Heger Jerry & Rosalyn Isch Andy & Janet Katz Peg Kiester Thomas & Helen Nill Steven & Janet Osterholt Brad & Amy Peckinpaugh Sam & Jan Schwartz Pete & Melani Wilson Dan & Beth Zweig

DONORS AT EVENTJohn & Renee BenderDana BerkesBarb BoergerJanellyn BordenJeff & Sue BrittonGary ChaneyDan & Vicki ChurchwardBecky CummingsBill & Flaim CuppKathy DenigRenee DragonAlice EshelmanMatthew & Theresa FarberLiz FrederickMarcia FutterMike & Gretchen Gouloff Bob & Kim Grant Bruce & Deb GuebardMark & Mary Kay HagermanDick & Yvonne HarnlyMarc & Dana KaminskyBarb LindenDavid LupkeDavid & Susie Meyer Judy Nelsen Tom Neuenschwander & Cheryl HellerRick & Penney Phillips Jill PriceSam & Jan SchwartzOrrin & Kathie SessionsDave & Patti SeybertFrank & Susan SilvaBarry SturgesArt & Karen SurguineKevin & Mary TonneLarry & Fran WilliamsMary Ann Wissman

AUCTION ITEM DONORSBusinesses & NonprofitsThe Bird SeederyBradley Gough DiamondsChop’s Steaks & SeafoodChristopher James MenswearCivic Theatre of Fort WayneCookie CottageCorner House Salon & Erika’s Spa800 Degrees Wood Fired PizzaDon Hall’s RestaurantsDucks Unlimited

The FindThe FrameryFort Wayne Country ClubFort Wayne Outfitters & Bike DepotGreat Panes Glass CompanyHeartland Restoration ServicesJoseph Decuis Knitting Off BroadwayKroger MarketplaceLa Dolce Vita Laura Stine GardensLawn & Turf Landscaping of Fort WayneJ. Lynne AssociatesMatilda Jane ClothingMcNamara FloristMercedes-Benz of Fort Wayne Mindful Movements Pilates StudioOakwood ResortPaula’s on MainPeg PeregoPizza Hut of Fort WaynePranayoga Institute of Yoga and Holistic HealthSimply PhotographySummer Break Charters & Lodging (Captains Jeff Spesia and Darcy Andrews)Tonne WineryTouchstone CenterTroveYMCA of Greater Fort Wayne

IndividualsAnonymous (3)Mary BanksKathy CandiotoKaren ChaffeeWilliam & Linda EtzlerMarcia FutterJosef GeislerConrad GetzWilliam & Cynthia Gravatt Mark & Mary Kay HagermanMarc & Dana KaminskyRonia Marie KriegJerry & Diane MackelJohn & Cindy McMillenSusie MeyerSam & Jan SchwartzKathie SessionsCarolyn StacheraKaren SurguineCarrie WildFran WilliamsBrian WoodDan & Beth Zweig

SPECIAL THANKSFrogapalooza planning committeeJustin Hoover, auctioneer Richard Cross, photographerBritton Marketing & Design Group, posters

Frogapalooza 2016 DonorsThanks to everyone who made this event a big success!

At LRWP’s September Monarch Festival, about 1,000 visitors learned about monarchs’ life cycle, planted hundreds of milkweeds (the only plants on which monarchs lay their eggs) and strolled to see the butterflies in the wild. Many took home a free milkweed or bought native plants for their gardens, while others tagged monarchs to track their amazing 2000+-mile migration.

Lisa Miller

Grace Danel

All photos by Richard Cross, except where noted

Family-Friendly Programs

Events For questions about events or volunteering, contact us at 260-478-2515 or info@lrwp.org

Special Programs & Hikes

Breakfast On The Marsh

Save These 2017 Dates

EARTH DAY FORT WAYNE

MONARCH FESTIVAL

FROGAPALOOZA

A free, family-friendly event with something for everyone, including crafts, presentations, prizes, and more

Our annual celebration of monarch butterflies and their amazing migration

An evening of fun and fundraising with dinner, auctions, and special presentations

ON THE MARSH / WINTER 201610 11LIT TLE RIVER WETL ANDS PROJECT

If Bridges Could Talk. Many of our older bridges span beautiful areas and some are an important part of our history. Join engineer

Bill Etzler, LRWP board president, for a presentation about area bridges, their historical importance, and changes to our community during their lifespan.

Riverfront Fort Wayne. Alison Gerardot, Director of Programming and Events for Riverfront Fort Wayne, will talk

about the progress and changes that the riverfront development plan for the downtown area has made in the past year and what will be happening in 2017.

You’re Going to Love LRWP in 2017! Betsy Yankowiak, LRWP’s director of preserves and programs, will share highlights

of 2016 and tell you of the exciting events and changes planned for 2017.

Soarin’ Hawk: Owls of the Area. Friday, 6:30 – 8PM. Meet at the Eagle Marsh barn. Volunteers from Soarin’

Hawk will bring several owls common to the area and share information about each. After the presentation, Bob Walton will lead a short hike and teach us how to “call down” owls. Bring a flashlight if you wish. Dress for the trails and the weather.

Short Hikes for Short Legs: Seeds Animals Eat in Winter. Wednesday, 9 – 10AM. Meet at the Eagle

Marsh barn. (For children ages 3 to 5 and a responsible adult). Using a variety of seeds found on the marsh, we’ll start with a hands-on activity in the barn, then go outside to explore the “grocery store” of the marsh, looking for plants with seeds and who might be eating them. Dress for the weather, boots recommended.

Walk the Winter Woods. Saturday, 9 – 10AM. Meet at the Eagle Marsh barn. Join us for a walk through

the woods, learning how to identify trees by the buds that were set months earlier, the trees’ bark, and the adaptations they make to living in a wetland. We’ll start in the barn exploring parts of trees and testing our skills, then hike the trails that wind through our woods.

Short Hikes for Short Legs: What Lives Under the Snow? Wednesday, 9 – 10AM. Meet at the Eagle

Marsh barn. (For children ages 3 to 5 and a responsible adult.) Snow is beautiful, but have you ever thought about what lives beneath it? We’ll start in the barn with “snow boxes” to discover and identify what animals winter on the marsh. Then we’ll hike

looking for tracks and trying to find animal homes. Dress for the weather, boots recommended.

Short Hikes for Short Legs: Winter Birds of Eagle Marsh. Wednesday, 9 – 10AM. Meet at the Eagle Marsh

barn. (For children ages 3 to 5 and a responsible adult.) Many birds, including owls, eagles and herons, spend the winter at our preserves. In the barn we’ll learn about these birds and others using life-sized models. Can you fit inside an eagle’s nest? Ride on their wings? Then we’ll hike to look for winter birds, the signs they leave at the marsh, and the plants that feed them. Dress for the weather, boots recommended.

Little River Ramblers. Tuesdays, 9-11AM. Meet at the Eagle Marsh barn in December, west entrance to Eagle Marsh in January and Arrowhead Prairie in February. Hike and explore the interesting plants

and animals of our preserves.

Winter Wonders on the Continental Divide Trail. Saturday, 9 – 10:30AM. Meet at the parking lot of the new Eagle Marsh entrance area (near the Eagle Marsh sign). We’ll walk part of the new Continental

Divide Trail on the berm overlooking the marsh to spot animals and their signs. People aren’t the only ones hanging out at the marsh in winter! Dress for the weather, boots recommended.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day with a Wetland Hike. Thursday, 10 – 11:30AM. Meet at the Eagle Marsh barn. Join people all around the world who are also celebrating World Wetlands Day as we explore some

of the preserve’s trails and learn more about why wetlands are so important to us all. Dress for the weather, boots recommended.

Celebrate World Wetlands Day. Thursday, 1:30 – 2:30PM. Meet at the Aboite Branch Library, 5630 Coventry Lane, Fort Wayne. People all over the world will be celebrating the importance of wetlands

today! Join Betsy Yankowiak, LRWP’s director of preserves and programs, to learn more about wetlands, why they are important, and what you can do to help preserve and restore wetlands around you.

Prairies in Winter. Saturday, 9 – 10:30AM. Meet at the Arrowhead Prairie parking lot. Prairies are an important ecosystem within our wetlands even in winter. Join us as we hike the preserve looking for the

birds and other wildlife that live there and the winter plants that feed them. Dress for the weather, boots recommended.

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EVERY TUES

GET TING TOEAGLE MARSH:

GET TING TOARROWHEAD PRESERVES:

Main entrance (barn): 6801 Engle Road

Fort Wayne, IN 46804

West entrance: 8315 W. Jefferson Blvd. Fort Wayne, IN 46804

At the end of Olde Canal Place Dr

Main entrance:8624 Aboite Road

Roanoke, IN 46783

Breakfast on the Marsh is offered 8:30 – 9:45am on the second Thursday of each month. 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, Ft Wayne—on Olde Canal Place Road.

Contact Liz Hincks at 260-478-2515 or l.hincks@lrwp.org to reserve your spot or for more information.

WISH LIST:

{ Banquet tables, 6-foot plastic

{ Copier - new

{ Durable plastic silverware

{ Dust masks

{ Generators

{ Hydraulic floor jack, 2.5-ton

{ Large Rubbermaid tubs with lids

{ Orange traffic cones

{ Pick-up truck, ¾-ton, long-bed, 4-wheel-drive with a “v” blade snow plow - new

{ Postage stamps

{ Printer ink: Canon 240 black, Canon 241 color, HP 61 black and color, HP 62 black and color, HP 950 black, HP 951 color

{ Two-way radios

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