Category Archives: Rivers

Help Us Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of World Wetlands Day!

February 2nd marks 50 years since the signing of the Ramsar Convention, and the Environmental Resources Center will partner with local organizations and the Allen County community to celebrate wise-use and protection of wetlands. The theme for this year is wetlands as a source of freshwater and encouraging actions we can take to restore them and stop their loss.

Schedule:

9 to 10 am. Hike at ACRES Mengerson Urban Preserve. 5895 Stellhorn Road, Fort Wayne. Celebrate World Wetlands Day on the trails! Join us on a casual hike to learn about how this urban preserve absorbs stormwater runoff and provides a sanctuary for plants and animals. The trails at this forested wetland are often muddy, please dress appropriately.  Space is limited. RSVP to outreach@acreslandtrust.org or 260-637-2273 by February 1.

11:30 am. Hike at Camp Scott. Fort Wayne City Utilities has created a wetland area on the City’s southeast side to store and treat stormwater runoff. Stormwater from several neighborhoods around McMillen Park goes to a massive storage tank at the park and is then pumped to the wetlands. The wetlands also provide a natural habitat for songbirds, water birds, and other animals. Camp Scott is located at 3615 Oxford Street, Fort Wayne. Get Map. Download a brochure about the Camp Scott Wetlands. RSVPs are not required for this hike!

1:00 pm to 2:30 pm. Hike and Seed Scatter at Eagle Marsh. Join us at the Eagle Marsh barn, 6801 Engle Road, Fort Wayne, for a celebration hike and seed scatter. On this hike we will explore our incredible, local wetland and learn all about why wetlands are important for wildlife and the community. This year’s theme shines a spotlight on wetlands as a source of freshwater and encourages actions to restore them and stop their loss. Please dress for the weather, rubber boots are recommended. Face coverings are required. Attendance is limited. Please click here to RSVP at least 24 hours in advance.

4:00 pm. Macroinvertebrates: Big Players in a Little Wet World, a virtual presentation with Deanne Zepp from the Environmental Resources Center at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Aquatic macroinvertebrates may be small, but they play a huge role in maintaining a healthy wetland, from cycling nutrients to acting as a food source. Their presence (or absence) gives us clues to the ecological state of aquatic systems. Learn about a dragonfly nymph’s lightning-fast hunting style, how midge larvae survive in low oxygen water, and other facts about the fascinating lives of these wee creatures. Please RSVP at erc@pfw.edu to receive updates about this and other events of the day.

7:00 pm. Wetlands: Nature’s Kidneys, a virtual presentation. Listen to and chat with Bruce Kingsbury and Robert Gillespie from the Environmental Resources Center at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Wetlands are not only wildlife wonderlands, they are also important filters of nutrients and pollutants. We will celebrate wetlands in general and then focus on how they help to keep the surrounding landscape, headwaters, and streams clean. After the presentation, there will be time for Q and A and general discussion. Please RSVP at erc@pfw.edu to receive updates about this and other events of the day.

Click here for access to the Nature’s Kidneys presentation: https://purdue-edu.zoom.us/j/97549623667

Spring 2020 Event Updates

In accordance with decisions by the University and CDC recommendations regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), the ERC’s annual Earth Day celebration – Conservation Conversation unfortunately, will be postponed until further notice. As are many of the spring events we were planning and looking forward to:

Sustainability Coordinator Position Available

The Sustainability Coordinator works collaboratively with Purdue University Fort Wayne constituents including administration, faculty, staff, students and community partners to develop, coordinate, promote and celebrate effective sustainability initiatives to reduce the impact of the University and regional community on the environment.  The Coordinator will advance the University’s mission to engage with the community, to advance the development of the region through the integration of teaching, service and scholarly research and to develop students’ talents and prepare them for success.  Specifically, the Coordinator will work with constituents to provide knowledge, skills and motivation to integrate sustainability into strategic planning, relevant facilities planning and student directed activities.  The Coordinator will work closely with the Director for the Environmental Resources Center (ERC) and the Director of Facilities Management to support sustainability initiatives within best practices, creative endeavor, and the needs of the local community.

Required:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Knowledge of life science, environmental science, food systems or some other area that strongly aligns with principles of sustainability
  • One year experience in relevant field
  • Working knowledge and passion for the concept of sustainability and awareness of the central issues and controversies in the discourse on sustainable development
  • Knowledge of sustainability principles and best practices
  • A commitment to sustainability
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, both written and oral
  • Social media skills
  • Analytical and planning skills
  • A collaborative, enthusiastic approach
  • A commitment to diversity and ability to work with all constituents at a diverse institution
  • Comfortable with all Office suite application

Preferred:

  • Familiarity with university academic environment

Other details:

Interested parties can contact Bruce Kingsbury (Bruce.Kingsbury@pfw.edu) with questions, but ultimately must apply online via one of the following links.

Candidates internal to Purdue Fort Wayne would apply at:

https://performancemanager8.successfactors.com/sf/jobreq?jobId=3205&company=purdueuniv&username=

External candidates:

https://career8.successfactors.com/sfcareer/jobreqcareer?jobId=3205&company=purdueuniv&username=