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Eco Fest 2024 was held at Headwaters Park in downtown Fort Wayne on May 19th. This was the fifth annual festival. Eco Fest Fort Wayne was founded in 2019 and has continued to grow. The goal of the festival is to promote local sustainability at a family friendly venue.   

The festival was held at Headwaters Park. That was appropriate. It borders the St. Joseph Watershed. It is a vibrant greenspace connected to Lawton Park and Promenade Park. It is a place of wildlife, greenery, and culture and history. 

The festival was home to non-for-profit green organizations, environmental groups, for profits that worked to be sustainable, and earth friendly food vendors.  Old friends were plentiful: LC Nature Park, ACRES Land Trust, Little River Wetlands Project, Dick's Organics, The Farm Micro Sanctuary, and so many more.  

It was a day of gathering information, interesting conversations, games for children, workshops, food and music.   If you want to learn about planting native, go to Eco Fest. Interested in monitoring the health of our rivers, go to Eco Fest. Want to participate in citizen science then go to Eco Fest.
 
While the festival was packed with vendors and agencies the video is a sampling of some of those presenters. Make sure to put Eco Fest 2025 on your Calander.  

Once a month Little River Wetlands Project hosts a public forum, Breakfast on the Marsh. The focus is on nature. The forum usually takes place at Indiana Wesleyan University Fort Wayne on the shores of Eagle Marsh. On June 13, 2024, the presenter was Carrie Vrabel.  

Carrie is a true Renaissance woman. She is a writer, a singer, songwriter and past librarian but for the presentation she focused on specialized skills, wild foraging. Ms. Vrabel is famous in northeast Indiana for her knowledge of wild edibles, medicinals and toxins. She has advanced training in plant identification, foraging, and ethnobotany. She is certified in the States of Indiana and Michigan in wild mushroom identification. She has provided foraging hikes to the public at Fox Island County Park, Eagle Marsh, LC Nature Park, Chain O’Lakes State Park and Salomon Farm.   

Carrie teaches about wild foraging in class and on-line. She has written about foraging and is currently writing a book for Indiana University Press, Wild Edible Plants Native to the State of Indiana. She has an active Facebook group Wild Edible Indiana. Her website is also titled Wild Edible Indiana.  

Her presentation focused on identification of plants, safety, the occasional ethnobotanical examples, and a nice nettle tea. The plants she focused on included: Stinging Nettle, Mulberry, Yellow Wood Sorrell, Elderberry, Wild Bergamot, and White Pine.  

Carrie is running a seasonal foraging hike series at Eagle Marsh. The audience had many questions. The presentation was full of facts without being dry and her enthusiasm was clear.   

​Breakfast on the Marsh is a community forum sponsored by Little River Wetlands Project and usually held at Indiana Wesleyan University Fort Wayne. In May the speaker was DNR botanist Scott Namestnik. He spoke on the unique geology and geography of Indiana and the related unique plants and ecosystems.
 
The 2nd part of his presentation focused on the importance of place and plants. This included focusing on the system of evaluating ecosystems and plant species.  Water drainage or
access, elevation, degrees of acidity all impacted what plants would thrive at various environments. Scott’s biggest challenge was narrowing down which sites in northeast Indiana he would focus on and which plants he would highlight.  He was like a volunteer at an animal shelter, he loved them all.
 
He highlighted unique wetlands in northeast Indiana. He addressed the challenges of preserving ecosystems during a period of land development and the eroding of wetland protections. The presentation itself was a challenge. The air conditioning was not on. Windows were opened, the room was humid and traffic sounds were distracting. Still his focus was clear, and Scott kept the audience engaged.
 
The presentation was academic, it focused on classification systems and data collection. It was clearly historical. It was also advocacy calling on members of the audience to participate in the protection of shrinking ecosystems and endangered plant species. Scott Namestnik was inspiring and we were fortunate to hear the Tom Bombadil of the Indiana ecosystems.
 

​Breakfast on the Marsh is a community forum sponsored by Little River Wetlands Project and usually held at Indiana Wesleyan University Fort Wayne. In May 2024 the speaker was DNR botanist Scott Namestnik. He spoke on the unique geology and geography of Indiana and the related unique plants and ecosystems.
 
The first part of his presentation focused on geology and geography. This was an informative walk-through geological history that impacts life in Indiana today. That included the impact of glaciers, both the Indiana and the Wisconsin Glaciers. The formation and declining of the glaciers  left  different areas of Indiana was fine sand, hard clay, sand dunes, and eventually Lake Erie. The changing temperatures and the changing levels of water influenced what grew in Indiana. This included types of forests, prairies, wetlands including marsh, fens, and bogs, and shallow seas. These unique ecosystems were influenced by watersheds, rock beds, altitude, and degrees of
acidity.
 
Scott’s presentation was clear, geology and the related geography was dynamic and always changing. What is new is the influence of humans. First the Indigenous Peoples of the area used land management techniques that mimicked nature. The European settlers altered the landscape.  This included deforestation, draining or wetlands, and mono-species farming. The result has been a change in ecosystems, wildlife, and plant life. The first part of Namstnicks’s presentation focused mainly of the foundational, the unique geography and geography that influences life in Indiana
today.

This week’s news out of the international scientific community has not been optimistic. Extreme heat, melting glaciers, unexpected rain in Greenland all makes one wonder if there is a chance of turning around climate change. Of course, the only reasonable or acceptable response is, yes.  Effort on our part does not guarantee a successful outcome but no response does guarantee disaster. So, to continue to care mightily and to remember why we care about nature, recognizing that we are part of nature is critical. This past week that immersion came in the form of LC Nature Park’s Trillium Fest 2024.
 
LC Nature Park is a unique private preserve in the heart of the historic Little River Valley.  It is part of a neighborhood of preserves and nature corridors. This includes two preserves owned by ACRES Land Trust, two owned by Little River Wetlands Project and it is also located not far from Fogwell Forest, Fox Island County Park and Eagle Marsh. However, this preserve is different from its neighbors.
 
LC Nature Preserve is a 200+ acre preserve. It works to recreate habitats and biodiversity that existed in the area prior to the introduction of European settlers. This includes wetlands, prairie, forests, and a sand dune. It includes two restored historic barns. However, most unique to the area, it includes a herd of elk and a herd of bison. The mission of LC Nature Park is to educate the public about the geology of the area, the history of the area, and the related biodiversity.

This past weekend was the third annual Trillium Fest. The dune was carpeted with these beautiful spring flowers. Their blooming becomes an excuse to welcome spring and summer and all of the activities that will be occurring at the park. Trillium Fest includes volunteers who function as greeters and public educators, booths highlighting other nature-focused agencies, educational games at the education center, food trucks, elk and bison, and of course a dune carpeted in trillium.
 
It is difficult to give in to despair and give up on working to heal a planet when you see examples of restoration and hope throughout the Little River Valley. Today’s hope came in the form of restored habitats, restored herds, children and families reveling in nature and of course, the beauty of the trilliums.

​On April 28, 2024, Eco Fest Fort Wayne sponsored a community workshop at the Allen County Public Library in downtown Fort Wayne. The presenter Freya Berntson, Northeast Indiana Native Plant Society Stewardship Chair, presented an Invasive Plant Workshop. This was part of the ACPL Earth Day Observance.  The workshop did, in fact, focus on problems associated with invasive plants. I however keep referring to it as a Native Plant presentation. I suspect that is my tendency to want to focus on solutions. Freya provided solutions and strategies for a problem impacting home properties, wilderness, farmland, and community greenspaces.
 
 
The talk was organized and easy to understand. She defined Invasive Plants and distinguished them from non-native plants that were not invasive and to native plants. Frey provided contacts for learning more about invasive plants. This included the USDA National Invasive Species Information Center, the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Areas, and the State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management site. (CISMA).
 
She spoke about how the laws to protect environments differs across states. Indiana is regulated by the Indiana Terrestrial Plant Rule 312 1AC 18-3-25.  At this time our laws regulate far less plants than our neighboring states laws.
 
The problems, as elaborated by Ms. Bentson, is that invasives our produce native plants, provide less nutrition to native animals, and alter the soil. This out competing may lead to monoculture populations of plants that lower the value of land and harm the ecology of the land.           
 
Strategies for removing invasive populations included cutting, mowing, pulling, prescribe burns, and using pesticides. There were pluses and negatives for each strategy. She also talked about the value of native plants. They are part of the local ecology, enrich the soil, feed other species, and provide for a healthier environment. ​Tools for identifying invasive, non-native, and native plants included: EDD Maps, PlantNet, and iNaturalist.
 
The talk was very well received. There were many questions and the audience remained engaged during the presentation. 

Freya is a part of the local natrualist landscape. To be sure, she is more of the native plant-type and not to be mistaken for invasive! If you are an active greenie in the area you have met her or heard about her. The following is a brief interview with the woman who provided us with a useful and hopeful presentation on Invasive and native Plants:​

Question:  How long have you been working in nature?

Answer:   Almost my whole adult life, and a couple of my teenage years (approximately 25 years)! I've worked and/or volunteered in invasive plant management, bird of prey rehabilitation, desert tortoise research, endangered Hawaiian bird aviculture, and helped hundreds of people hold a tarantula, as a few examples.

Question:  How did you get involved?

Answer:  I grew up 3 miles from Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center. I was offered a summer camp job there when I was a teen. I then started helping with bird banding and other research related activities thanks to Dave Miller. By the time I turned 18, I knew I wanted to do *something* nature based with the rest of my life.

Question:  Were you always involved in nature as a kid or was there a moment that changed your life?

Answer: Growing up in rural Northeast Indiana, I like to say I was a "feral child." I wandered around the countryside building tree forts, swimming up to frogs in wetlands while they laid eggs. It was idyllic in hindsight. 

Question:  What training or education do you have in your field?

Answer: I have a Masters of Natural Resource Stewardship with a focus on Ecological Restoration from Colorado State University. I've completed a variety of prescribed fire certifications, and also hold a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician certificate (because people get hurt outside sometimes!).

Question:  Tell us a little about the prescribed fires and the training/certification for that.

Answer: The initial certification is about 35-40 hours of coursework plus a field day where you have the option to complete a pack test. The pack test is walking 3 miles, carrying 45 pounds, and you have to finish in less than 45 minutes. I've also completed Burn Manager training in Indiana and Ohio.
To date, I've been on over 150 prescribed fires in IN, OH, and MI. Every fire is different, even on sites that you have helped burn before! Hands on experience in prescribed fire is the most important aspect.

Question:  With climate change, invasive animals and plants, and loss of habitat how do you stay optimistic?
Answer:  I'd lie if I said it wasn't hard sometimes! Honestly, the beauty and complexity of life awe me every day. Even in some of the more "degraded" places. I know I can't "save the world," but I can do a little here and there to try to help a little. 

I return to the idea of Leopold's land ethic almost daily. "A thing is right when it tends to preserve the integrity, stability and beauty of the biotic community." I have this tattooed on me! It's not easy to know what is "right" all the time. 

Question:  What advice do you have for young folks who are interested in pursuing a career in environmental work?

Answer: Try everything. If you don't like one thing, quit and try something else. Don't commit to something you don't enjoy because it might change how you feel about everything. You will find something that you love, it just might take a while. “In Wilderness is the preservation of the world.” Henry David Thoreau. 

​ 
Little River Wetlands Project hosts a public forum, Breakfast on the Marsh,  focused on nature every month. The forum takes place by the shores of Eagle Marsh at Indiana Wesleyan University Fort Wayne. On April 11th, 2024, the speaker was Jessica Merkling, Urban Wildlife Biologist for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Presently she is the only Urban Wildlife biologist for the DNR in Indiana. She is also a friend of LRWP. This was her fourth presentation at Breakfast on the Marsh.
 
Jessica spoke on Urban Wildlife. This is a timely presentation because the state, like much of the world, is losing green spaces. She estimated that 2/3s of the world population would be urban by 2050. Using statistics, maps, and illustrations she should how much the state of Indiana has been altered since the arrival of European settlers.  What was once mostly woodland, and wetlands is now mostly farmland and urban and industrial spaces.  While the federal government can steer environmental management in much of the West, Indiana, like most the eastern United States is privately owned. In fact, she stated Indiana is 97% privately owned. It is also home to 897 different animal species.
 
The result is that many animals are now successfully living in urban spaces. Biodiversity is important so the challenge is to find ways to accommodate wildlife and protect property and farmland.
 
Many of the successful urban wildlife species have exhibited multiple adaptations. This included being omnivorous and changing movement and activity. This includes becoming more nocturnal. Some species have increased reproduction due to increased environmental temperatures. Others have exhibited increased tolerance of humans. Finally, human environments also provide increased variety in nutrition and diet.
 
A number of species were discussed as examples of urbanization or increased tolerance of human activity. These included racoons, deer, robins, Canada Geese, beaver, and coyote.  Jessica pointed out that some of the human created habitats encourage increased wildlife populations. An example would be expansive grassland and water sources (think parks and golf courses) are inviting to Canada Geese. Urban settings are also inviting to racoons and the fringes or borderlands, deer, and coyote.
 
We are creating habitat. Habitat consists of water, food, shelter or cover, and space. The question is, are we going to do this in a way that encourages biodiversity or that increases damage to property and farm crops.  

​During the summers of 2022 and 2023 Purdue University Fort Wayne directed a citizen science project focused on turtles at Eagle Marsh. Citizen Science is a resource multiplier.  Scientists (in this case Dr. Mark Jordan) design the research project, develop protocols or standardized methodologies for collecting data and reporting data, and developing volunteer training strategies.
 
The student coordinator, a biology student from Purdue University Fort Wayne, was Autumn Straessle. She trained and directed volunteers from Little River Wetlands Project as well as other students from Purdue University Fort Wayne.
 
Training included safety procedures, transportation, and data collection. Data collection included specific location identification of the turtles, air, and water temperatures, weighing and measuring the turtles, species identification, sex identification, checking for parasites, and creating identification notches on the shell for future reference. The data was collected on standardized forms and the date was sent to Dr. Jordan.
 
The research occurred in two locations at Eagle Marsh. The field work occurred for two weeks during the summer of each year.
 
Turtle species that were identified included painted turtles, soft shelled turtles, snapping turtles, and the threatened Blanding’s turtle.
 
After each day of field work the researchers and volunteers’ waders were washed down with a solution that protected the wetlands from the spread of any disease that would be a threat to other reptiles or amphibians. Equipment was also sanitized.
 
The data tracks the status of the turtle populations as they struggle to survive automobile traffic and natural predators.
 
Despite the focus on standardized protocols and data collection the project was a lot of fun. There was clearly a sense of camaraderie among the volunteers. The setting was inspiring. The setting included herons, geese, songbirds, and beautiful foliage. It was a world of green, or so many shades of green. I look forward to participating in Purdue University Fort Wayne turtle research at Eagle Marsh this summer. If you are interested contact the office of Little River Wetlands Project or follow their website. 

I expected that being a witness to the 2024 Total Eclipse in North America would be moving, perhaps spiritual. I was not expecting a day of connecting with sentient beings, of traveling through time, to connect as a child of earth but also of the universe. As many people can attest that day, it was a powerful and moving experience.
 
I had planned to take part in a bus excursion. That way if one pathway led to clouded skies another pathway could lead to clear, blue skies. However, the trip would have started at Metea County Park. The trip would have been 12 hours minimum in length. I am recovering from knee surgery, I was very stiff, and I could not imagine tolerating such a long journey. So, I switched to a closer destination but one still within the path to totality. I chose to drive to Ouabache State Park. The park was approximately 20 miles from my home. This turned out to be an excellent choice.
 
I was surprised that I was even interested in attending an eclipse, much less excited about it. However, I attended a public forum (Breakfast on the Marsh) hosted by Little River Wetlands Project. The speakers, Laura and Neil Anslie, were from the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. They talked about the very big difference between seeing a 99% partial eclipse of the sun and a total eclipse of the sun. I was sold and needed to not miss this once in a lifetime astronomical event.
 
Getting into the park took some patience. The line was long and slow. Once all the parking spaces were full the park would be closed to the public. That occurred 90 minutes after I arrived. This is a large park, 1,104 acres. So, while there were lots of people in the park sharing a special event you never felt crowded.
 
The first person I met was Laura Ainslie of the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. She had telescopes, home-made devices, and material explaining the event. I remember she said that first contact was a slow event. That would not occur for two and a half hours. So, I decided to walk around and visit the Bisons.
 
As I walked to the Bison enclosure I stopped by a tent where park rangers and volunteers were providing history and context. That was a wonderful way to begin an auspicious day at the State Park. I learned the area was originally the site of various Miami or Myaamia People.  Coming from Fort Wayne or Kekionga this did not surprise me. The Wabash River provides part of the boundary of the park. This river was an important waterway for the Myaamia. I had to remind myself that my classes on First Nations Peoples stressed that First Nation Peoples were not something of the past. True, they had a past, however, they are here with us now. That is certainly true in Fort Wayne, along the Wabash River and tributaries, and I suspect in Wells County. I found myself giving thanks for their stewardship of this land for millenniums. I prayed we would open ourselves up to learning about living in harmony with the land, the plants, the animals, and the earth as the Myaamia and other Peoples had.

One of the bridges of time I experienced was the herd of Bison. The Bison are the largest mammals on Turtle Island. They were cornerstone species whose behaviors determined the fauna, the soil, and provided food for other animals. The Bison numbered 8 million in 1870 and within 20 years were reduced to 500. This intentional slaughter was to eliminate American Indian culture. It was to free the land for western style farming, ranching, and industry. It was an ecological disaster.  Concerted efforts since the beginning of the 20th century have brought the Bison back from the brink of extinction. Today there are an estimated 20,500 bison in conservation herds and another 420,000 in commercial herds. 
 
The Bison are intertwined with the cultures of First Nations. The Bison continues to have an impact on local ecology. The Bison is a symbol of the State of Indiana. As I walked around the Bison enclosure watching the small herd, I felt connected to a long past, and I sensed a glimpse of a future for our planet that could include healing.
 
The rangers and volunteers talked about the settlers in the area. The first settler cabin was erected in the area that would become the park in 1829. In the 1830s and 1840s First Nations Peoples were removed to Kansas and Oklahoma and the Euro-settling of Indiana began in earnest.  This included the creation of roads, towns, schools and businesses. It also included communities anchored by Euro-ethnic traditions. I was aware that settlers were also viewed as colonizers. I read my land deed history when I got home. It started with the arrival of the Spanish in North America, followed by the French, English, and Dutch. I was acutely aware that if the land I bought was affordable that would be partially the result of stealing or “acquiring” the land. It is one of the most basic examples of White Privilege.
 
During the 1930s, during The Great Depression, the federal government created the Civilian Conservation Corps (the CCC). The land that would become the state park was first acquired as the Wells County State Forest and Game Preserve.  The CCC had a significant impact on the Preserve. They dug up and created Kunkle Lake (mostly using shovels). They grew trees. They built several shelters using Indiana stone. Almost 1600 CCC young men were stationed at the preserve between 1935-40. They created the “greatest wildlife laboratory in the United States.” They raised rabbits and raccoons, quail, and pheasants. Animal populations were restored, and animals were released for hunting.
 
As I walked from the Bison enclosure to the shelter and to the geese at the lake I walked past a fenced in area. I asked if that was part of the wildlife laboratory. I was told it was not. It was the remnants of the Purdue University research project. They fenced in an area to see what impact wildlife was having on the forest ecology.  It was impossible not to feel connected to history, people, but also animals.
 
AS I walked toward the site where I would view the eclipse, I walked past perhaps the most iconic artifact of the CCC. I walked past the 100-foot-tall Fire Tower. It was recently restored. However, it was originally built by members of the CCC in the 1930s. It was built without power tools and without a net. There are 13 CCC fire towers still standing in Indiana. During the day of the eclipse they were all closed to the public because of the large number of visitors to each park or site anticipated.
 
When I finally got back to my viewing site people were eating their picnic lunches. Children were playing. Laura Ainslie was telling people about the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society, the telescopes, and what to expect. The mood was one of camaraderie and excitement. The parking lot was full of cars from all over the country. Children played and adults told stories of past astronomical events.
 
Then it began. First Contact occurred when the moon begins to pass in front of the sun. This stage is slow but exciting because we all knew it was starting. It looked as if a small piece of the sun was bitten by Pacman. This stage seemed long and did last for at least 80 minutes.
 
Second Contact occurred when almost the entire sun was covered by the moon’s shadow. Only a spot occurred on the edge giving it a “diamond ring” appearance. This was a brief stage and herald the upcoming totality.
By now the sky had gone from a bright sunny day with a few wispy clouds to an evening darkness. The temperature had also dropped and there was a quiet chill in the air. The birds, frogs, and children became silent. The adults were waiting for the moment they could remove their eclipse glasses. And then it occurred, We had Totality. The sun was covered, the rim of the sun had streamers, part of the corona. It was a very moving moment. People were silent, some sucked in their breath, some wiped their eyes. Some muttered, “oh my God” in awe.  And then, to make a perfect moment even more momentous the planets Mercury and Venus appeared. They framed the lower half of the sun.
 
When Totality ended and the eclipse moved to Third Contact. We all put our eclipse glasses back on. The slow partial eclipse, the reverse of First and Second Contact was occurring. This ended with Fourth Contact and the end of the 2024 Total Eclipse in North America. During the last two Contacts of stages people processed what they had experienced. Many took advantage of the safety lens telescope provided by the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society and attempted to take photos of the sun.
 
From the moment I arrived at the park I knew I had made the right decision to view the eclipse. It was far more moving than I could have guessed. I loved the connections with others. I loved the silence that greeted Totality and the spontaneous cheering and applause that erupted when the eclipse moved to Third Contact. I suspect this will be the summer I visit the Fort Wayne Astronomical Society. This will be the year I am aware that I am moving about on my planet but that I actually dwell on a planet that is also moving around a solar system that is moving around a galaxy, that is moving around a universe.