Foster Park on the Southside of Fort Wayne played host to Amani Family Service’s World Refugee Day celebration. The event was supported by the wider Fort Wayne community. There was food from around the world and music to match it. There were games for people of all ages. Participants were engaged in Zumba, dancing to music from all continents while dressed like a Norman Rockwell illustration celebrating diversity. I was there as a member of the Little River Wetlands Project.
 
For those who do not know, Amani is the premier agency in Northeast Indiana for providing counseling and acculturation skills to immigrants and refugees. Certainly, there are other agencies that support immigrants and refugees as they adjust to living in a new country. Catholic Charities, Fort Wayne for Refugee, and Wellspring Interfaith Social Services, the community mental health centers, and the Allen County Health Department all assist refugees and immigrants. However, Amani is pivotal in providing multiculturally sensitive counseling.  This is a critical contribution to a city that is home to refugees and immigrants from Bosnia, Chad, Somalia, Viet Nam, Syria, Afghanistan, Burma, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, South Asia, and Saharan and Sub-Saharan Africa.
 
So, what does this have to do with “being green” or climate change? Sadly, a lot.  The last five years has seen the greatest refugee crisis since the end of the second world war. There have been multiple contributing factors to this crisis. The civil war in Syria, the war in Yemen, Isis in northern Iraq, conflicts in Afghanistan, Central Africa, and Central America, and the Rohingya fleeing Myanmar have all made the last years overwhelming to families searching for safety and humanitarian agencies attempting to provide care. The current war on Ukraine adds to a sense of urgency to find a way to help people who are vulnerable. It is easier to focus on conflicts as contributing factors to the refugee crisis.  However, across the globe military and national security agencies are preparing for a world with increased conflict in response to a changing climate.
 
South Asia is particularly vulnerable to a changing climate. In the past month India and Pakistan have experienced soaring temperatures that threaten life and have the potential to wipe out crops and livestock. Sri Lanka and Bangladesh are impacted by rising sea levels. Nepal, Bhutan, India and Pakistan are sensitive to extreme rise in temperatures. Rising temperatures are reducing the amount of fresh water available to cities and agriculture in the Himalaya valleys and waterways. 
 
Myanmar or Burma is one of the countries most impacted by climate change. There were attempts to address energy needs and develop climate resilient policies during the pseudo stability before the latest coup. Now international cooperation on such projects is on hold. Burma borders multiple countries and social instability in Burma may impact many nations.
 
Closer to home Haiti is one of the countries in our hemisphere most impacted by climate change. A history of deforestation, civil unrest, entrenched poverty, and outside interference have all added to the current situation. In the past two decades Haiti has had multiple natural disasters, epidemics, and food shortages. Reforestation and diverse farming practices provide some hope of relief but only if the nation can pull back from chaos and civil unrest.
 
The current war on Ukraine must also be seen in the context of climate change. The roots of the conflict may not be related to climate change at all. However, other nations are facing food production shortages because of rising temperatures and fallen water supplies. The war in Ukraine threatens to halt shipments of grains to nations that desperately need them. 
 
Loss of land, rising seas, drought, increased natural disasters are all leading to increased climate-refugees. Families and communities are crossing borders in search of food and work. Populations are fleeing armed conflict over limited resources.  This is the current global situation for the foreseeable future.
 
It is also a future with hope. Reforestation is occurring in China, northern Africa, Brazil, and the United States. Carbon-free energy sources are being adapted around the world. Alternatives to plastics are becoming more acceptable and affordable. At Amani’s World Refugee Day Celebration, I am representing the Little River Wetlands Project. Eagle Marsh is part of LRWP. This is an 830-acre restored wetland adjacent to a city, that is hope. The celebration is in Foster Park. Trees are still down from last week’s Deroche, a storm with winds equaling a category two hurricane. However, the park system in Fort Wayne is designed to restore rivers, waterways, and protect the city from flooding. Threat and hope are here at Amani’s World’s Refugee Day party. The greatest example of hope are the participants who are models of resilience in the face of conflict, who chose hope over despair. This is a powerful reminder that in working to heal a hurting planet we are all in this together. This is a stunning example of the multicultural tapestry that is Fort Wayne. It was only fitting to have a slice of cake and celebrate Amani Family Services’ 16th anniversary and World Refugee Day.
 

​One of the many things I like about being involve in LRWP’s Eagle Marsh is the opportunity to participate in citizen science. This month that means participating in Purdue University Fort Wayne lead field research on turtles. Eagle Marsh is an 800-acre restored wetland preserve. It has several different ecologies and animal and plant communities. Because it is part of multiple bird migration pathways over 250 species of birds can be spotted at the preserve. The marsh is also home to muskrat, beaver, otter, mink, racoon, skunk, and deer. However, this is a wetland and turtles are an important part of the ecosystem.
 
 Purdue University Fort Wayne has directed two turtle studies at the marsh over a period of four weeks. The first study, the Eagle Marsh Turtle Project, monitored the turtle populations at Eagle Marsh. It surveyed turtle populations and health. The second study, the one I served on, was an extension of the first study. It measured the possible impact novelty traps may have on turtle behavior.
 
The research, methodology, data collection, and interpretation of data was coordinated by Dr. Mark Jordan. Professor Jordan is the chair of the Department of Biology at Purdue University Fort Wayne.
 
The person who coordinated volunteers, set the traps, and gathered the data was Purdue undergraduate student Autumn Straessle. Autumn is a senior biology major. Her areas of interest include Conservation and Environmental Health. Her long-term goals are to pursue research opportunities and perhaps go to veterinarian school. However, this summer is also an intern at Eagle Marsh. As an intern she works to limit invasive species, trims trails, transplants seedlings, and maintains equipment.
 
Turtles are found in every continent except Antarctica. However, the United States has more species of turtle than any other nation followed by Mexico. Indigenous peoples of North America refer to the continent as Turtle Island. I always thought that was because of the shape of the continent. I now wonder if it is also because of the original abundance of turtles.
 
Autumn stressed the important contribution turtles make to the environment. Their eggs provide food for other animals. They in turn help to control fish populations. They help in the spread of aquatic plants and they contribute to the health of the water.
 
Turtles are interesting animals. Water temperature determines the sex of offspring. Many researchers fear that climate change will result in an imbalance in sex distribution resulting in fewer males. Turtles are adaptable. They have adapted to poor water, human encroachment, and destruction of habitat. However, they are not as resilient adapting to increasing global temperatures.
 
Eagle Marsh is home to painted turtles, snapping turtles, soft shelled turtles, and the endangered Blanding’ Turtle. The week I volunteered we captured snapping turtles and painted turtles.
 
For four weeks Autumn would gather up the citizen scientists. She would teach them how to set traps in the water. The traps would be inspected the following day for turtles. The trap depths were measured. A garmin  instrument was used to identify the exact location of each trap. The water temperature was measured. The turtles were brought to shore. The top shell, the carapace was measured, the bottom shell or the plastron was measured. The measurements were recorded. Snapping turtles were also weighed. Each turtle’s sex was determined, and females were checked for eggs. Each turtle was also checked for external parasites.  If the turtle was a new find the shell was coded/marked for future identification. Finally, the turtles were photographed and then released.
 
At the end of each shift each research participant would wash down their waders and then spray them with a diluted bleach cleanser. This was to protect the marsh from possible snake fungus disease. At the end of the week each trap was also cleaned and sprayed to prevent the spread of any fungal disease.
 
There were different volunteers, citizen scientists, each day. A number were repeat volunteers. The volunteers ranged from college students, young adults, nature enthusiasts, to retirees. The turtle research is just one of the many research projects that take place at Eagle Marsh and around Northeast Indiana. Other research has included monitoring beaver, otters, nests, and bats. Next week I look forward to being trained to monitor Monarch butterflies. These are difficult decades for the health of our planet. It is encouraging to witness the coordination of institutions, nature sites, and volunteers working together for the benefit of the environment. Observing the calm, methodical direction of Autumn and the joy she provided left me with a sense of hope.  

​Along with 23 peers, I have completed the 2022 Indiana Master Naturalist program in Allen County. Each county has their own program. This reflects the resources, the speakers, and the unique history and geography of each county. Lucky for us in Allen County that includes two county parks, a university, a downtown full of history, and a geological history that is pretty remarkable.

Almost every state has a Master Naturalist program. The exceptions, at this time, are North Dakota, Rhode Island, and Wyoming. The first state to initiate a Master Naturalist program was Texas in 1998. Since then Texas has created 37 local chapters and trained over 5000 volunteers. While there is a national alliance of Master Naturalist programs it is important that each state have their own program. Each state has unique geological and biological histories. Each state has their own indigenous history as well as immigration, urbanization, and industrial and agricultural development.  Their overall goals however are similar. The states aim to bring together natural resource specialists and resources to educate a cadre of trained volunteers who can educate the public and promote the natural history of their state. The programs provide economic value to their communities. This may be in the caring for environments, the removal of invasive species, educating citizens across of the lifespan, or the promotion of local sites and resources. Volunteer hours increase what sites and programs can offer the public. The Master naturalists continue with ongoing education, and some take additional training thus earning the title “Advanced Master Naturalist.” 

Not every county has the resources Allen County is able to provide. Our instructors were professors, experienced naturalists, and specialists. Our classes met at Metea County Park, Fox Island County Park, and Purdue Fort Wayne University’s Environmental Resource Center.  Field experiences included birding, identifying wildflowers, trees, forest and wetland ecologies, and understanding the impact of geology on biodiversity. Our historical field experience integrated local Native American history, immigrant history, changing industries and economies, and the impact all of this had on ecology and the impact of the ecology of human behavior. 

The program had a class limit of 25 students. All but one student completed the program. The student who had to drop out hopes to come back and complete the training. There were 12 classes, readings, and weekly exams. To become Master Naturalists the students also had to complete 24 volunteer hours in the community at approved sites and activities. 

The topics were varied and kept our attention. Some were focused on how to volunteer and educate. That included a talk on tick protection, as well as presentations on trail-guiding, and hands-on teaching and interpretation. We studied Native American history and the interplay of the geology with how humans and other species live on the land. We learned about wetland ecologies , prairieland environments, and forests, and we learned about succession. Some of the topics required both a class and a field experience. This included learning how to use our field guides. So we identified wildflowers, trees, and birds. 

Perhaps my favorite classes focused on animal life. We had courses on arthropods, amphibians and reptiles, birds, mammals, and bats. We all need to discover what our driving interests are. At this time, I imagine myself monitoring turtles, bats, beaver, and monarch butterflies at Eagle Marsh.  
Many of the students were volunteering as they were taking the classes. This included volunteering at Earth Day, Ecofest, Fox Island and Metea Parks, LC Nature Center, and community gardens. The instructors were gifted, the sites inspiring, but I suspect I will miss my peers the most. This is an eclectic and exciting group of Master Naturalists. So, now I have a massive notebook, field guides, PowerPoints and videos, and a lot of great memories. It is time to start contributing because I am an Indiana Master Naturalist! 
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