Enjoy outdoors activities like gardening, camping, hiking and more? This section is for you! These articles contain the latest local outdoors news and entertainment from around the Waynedale (Fort Wayne), Indiana area.
You’ve heard of Girl Scout Cookies, but are you familiar with other exclusive Girl Scout products? The Girl Scouts of Northern Indiana-Michiana have launched their annual Fall Product Program, which includes nuts and candy, deluxe pecan clusters, . . .
Earth Science Week, an annual event occurring every October, promotes the understanding of geosciences and responsible stewardship of the Earth through celebratory events and opportunities across the country.
To kick off this nationally recognized week, . . .
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) celebrated the dedication of its 300th nature preserve, Toothwort Woods, in Jennings County.
“The journey from the first dedicated nature preserve in 1969 to the 300th nature preserve in 2023 traces . . .
Due to leaves falling early, the City of Fort Wayne will begin collecting biodegradable bags filled with leaves on Monday, October 16. Residents may begin scheduling bag pick-ups on Friday, October 13. This year’s leaf pick-up will run through December . . .
With the deer reduction zone season underway and the statewide archery deer season having started Oct. 1, Indiana Conservation Officers remind hunters to stay safe.
More than 300,000 people are expected to participate in some form of deer hunting in . . .
Progress along Fort Wayne’s riverfront continues as Mayor Tom Henry joined the City of Fort Wayne’s Community Development Division, Parks and Recreation Department, and community leaders for a groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the start of construction . . .
Students at Weisser Park Elementary School took an idea and then used project-based learning methods to create a new attraction for Weisser Park. The attraction is a disc golf course. Teachers and students started the installation process at 9:30 a.m. . . .
An annular solar eclipse occurs when the Moon passes between the Earth and the Sun, but because of its distance from the Earth, does not completely cover the Sun, leaving the perimeter of the star exposed. The annular solar eclipse of Oct. 14 will . . .
In a pioneering move toward environmental sustainability and improved resiliency , Mayor Tom Henry, City Utilities’ staff and neighborhood leaders celebrated progress on the installation of floating solar panels on the Water Pollution Control Plant’s . . .
Friendly, the Clean Drains Fort Wayne spokes-otter, invites everyone who loves our rivers to join her on September 23, for Clean the Drains Day.
Outfitted with the Clean the Drains kit, you and your team of friends, neighbors, co-workers, or schoolmates . . .
The Trail to Zero ride to end suicide, a 20-mile horse ride aimed at helping end suicide among Veterans, is returning to Fort Wayne and Allen County on September 16.
Started in 2017 by BraveHearts, the largest equine-assisted services program for Veterans . . .
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) needs the public’s help to update The Big Tree Registry, a list of the largest known specimen of each native tree species in Indiana.
“Indiana’s currently tallest recorded tree is a 152-foot-tall . . .
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) invites you to celebrate Indiana’s public lands the weekend of Sept. 23 and 24.
The celebration coincides with National Public Lands Day on Sept. 23, the nation’s largest single day of volunteering . . .
Students at 44 Indiana K-12 schools will experience the outdoors this academic year thanks in part to a grant program that supports field trips to Indiana State Park properties.
The Discover the Outdoors Field Trip Grant Program is available for all . . .
Biologists with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and Purdue University recently documented a very young hellbender salamander, a gilled larva, in the Blue River while conducting routine surveys in south-central Indiana. This discovery . . .
The twenty-fifth season of the Lifetime Sports Academy successfully wrapped up with a fun day and award ceremony at McMillen Park for kids and parents. More than 850 participants in 2023 and over 31,300 since its inception, developed skills in the . . .
Mayor Tom Henry, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Director Steve McDaniel, community representatives and additional public officials dedicated the new paved pedestrian trail and picnic shelter at Buckner Park in southwest Fort Wayne.
The ribbon-cutting . . .
The anticipated summer nature camp was due to return to Fox Island County Park for a second year, but the impact of the derecho in 2022 has continued to be felt long term and forced the park to remain closed for yet another summer season. Once it was . . .
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation announced a new mobile recreation unit called Park & Play that will bring free fun to neighborhood parks through July 28.
Park & Play staff will bring fun and games for youth ages 5 and up. Morning and afternoon . . .
Governor Eric J. Holcomb, in his 2020 State of the State Address, charged the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with planting 1 million trees during the next five years.
Thanks to the efforts of the DNR Division of Forestry and its partners, . . .
The Allen County Department of Environmental Management (ACDEM) launches Clean Plastic Caps and Lids Program. ACDEM is diverting plastic from landfill waste and encourages residents to recycle their clean caps and lids at the designated Community Recycling . . .
The upgraded, free smartphone app of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources is available now to help you maximize your enjoyment of the outdoor recreation the DNR offers in the Hoosier state.
Although there are many options in app stores about . . .
In these abnormally dry conditions, Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department arborists encourage residents to help young trees thrive with supplemental watering.
Superintendent of Forestry Operations Derek Veit observes “water is the most important . . .
Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation announces that Northside Pool opened for the season on Tuesday, June 6, and McMillen Park Pool will open on Monday, June 12.
Similar to the 2022 season, the staggered adjustments are due to staffing shortages and consideration . . .
What are the chances we’ll find a green dragon on our hike? This leafy green plant with a long, noodly spadix is closely related to Jack-in-the-pulpit. It occurs in the same habitats but is less common and easily overlooked.
What: Mugs on the Marsh . . .
Solfest is making a long-anticipated return back into nature at Metea Park on June 10th, from 11am-10pm, rain or shine. In the past, this has been a two-day fundraiser at Fox Island to celebrate and benefit the park. Last year we held the event at . . .
A group of local geocachers teamed up with Little River Wetlands Project (LRWP) recently for a spring CITO – Cache in, Trash out – event. The enthusiastic group tackled the trash along Smith Road, across the road from the LRWP office and . . .
The nationally recognized holiday, Arbor Day, is celebrated annually in Indiana on the last Friday of April. And, this is an especially important holiday for local nonprofit, Speaks for Trees and More, Inc. It is an opportunity to educate youth on . . .
On Friday, May 19, The City of Fort Wayne will join Fort Wayne Trails, Inc. and Purdue University Fort Wayne to celebrate active commuting on Bike to Work Day! Leave your car behind and walk, run, bike, or roll into one of four locations for a free, . . .
The Fox Island Alliance annual meeting of members was held at Fox Island County Park on Saturday, April 15, 2023. The recognition of two recipients of the Judy Esterline Volunteer of the Year Award was announced during this meeting. Board President, . . .