Category Archives: Urban ecology

Ecology, Urban ecology, Wildlife

City Coyote, Country Coyote

Coyote image from Indiana DNR

Although few see them, coyotes are a common urban and suburban resident in many areas. They are the largest predator in the area, though that is mostly leg (they are only marginally heavier than a big raccoon). For me, they are a breath of wild in tame Fort Wayne, but for others they are cause for concern, and although they pose virtually no danger to us, they do take small pets on occasion. And, like raccoons, they will partake of any pet food left outside, and get into trash that is not properly secured.

Responding to these kinds of concerns, the Indiana Division of Fish & Wildlife will present a panel to discuss “Living with Coyotes”, covering topics such as coyote biology, behavior and options for dealing with urban coyotes. The panel will include a variety of state biologists and an animal control operator.

The event  will be held February 25 at the downtown branch of the Allen County Library, 900 Library Plaza, Fort Wayne, from 6-8 PM.

Although the event is free, registration is required by February 24. To do that, go here.

For further information, contact Diane Day, (317) 234-8440, dfwed@dnr.in.gov.

Agriculture, Conservation, Ecology, Habitat Management, Rivers, Urban ecology, Water Quality

Implementation Conference a Success

Save Maumee Grassroots Organization and their colleagues successfully launched the Upper Maumee River Watershed Management Plan at an Implementation Conference at Indiana Tech Saturday, January 24. Stephanie Singer of the Defiance County and Sharon Partridge of the Allen county Soil and Water Conservation Districts introduced the Plan, and several others provided background or guidance on what nexts. The Plan is actually just the beginning. It helps to provide the foundation to finding funding, connecting stakeholders, and getting grassroots action going. You can find out more at the web site for the plan.

Photo: Upper Maumee Watershed Partnership

Local government, Recreation, Rivers, Urban ecology, Water Quality

Riverfront Fort Wayne Big Reveal Scheduled

After a year of meetings, discussions and brainstorming, SWA, the consulting firm leading the Riverfront Development Project, will present their final vision of the Fort Wayne’s future riverfront downtown. Very exciting.

The February 4th event promises to be informative and fun. Looks like a party!

The ERC has been involved in the activities. Robert Gillespie is serving on the Utilities Subcommittee (includes ecological “utility” afforded by green spaces like right of ways) and Bruce Kingsbury on the Parks Subcommittee.

As an outgrowth of this endeavor, the City asked ERC director Bruce Kingsbury to lead an investigation into the feasibility and composition of a prominent part of the development plan, an urban ecology center! What a cool possibility for Fort Wayne.

Find out more about the whole process at the Riverfront Fort Wayne website.