By Pamela Steinbach

“Between the 1780s and 1980s, the lower 48 states have lost 53% of the original wetland habitat, or about 104 million acres.”
—U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services

Where’s a bird to live these days? That big open wetland along Engle Road on the southwest side of Fort Wayne is one answer. Long ago, it was known as the Great Marsh. The Little River gets its start there and feeds into the Wabash River and for long times served as a home for birds and other wildlife in a complex ecosystem.

With many species endangered or threatened, it’s not by accident that lots of wildlife is returning to the ’hood. The 683 acres of land between Engle Road and Fox Island have been carefully groomed by scores of Little River Wetlands volunteers to make it inviting for turtles and raptors and even eagles, for whom it’s been named Eagle Marsh. Because it’s now a nature preserve, wildlife will be able to thrive there undisturbed.

People need wetlands, too, as they filter pollutants and manage floodwater. Wetlands are almost as fertile as rainforests, and they are full of life. “Eighty-five percent of wetlands in Indiana are destroyed,” says Betsy Yankowiak, executive director of Little River Wetlands. “We are trying to restore wetlands to create cleaner water, cleaner air, flood storage and a place for the endangered, threatened species of special concern in Indiana.”

The Little River Wetlands area is also ideal for hiking, birding, helping restore the ecosystem and learning how a wetland works.

Call Little River Wetlands at 260.478.2515 to find out more.