Coffee Creek (East Arm Little Calumet River tributary) facts for kids
Coffee Creek is a small stream located in Porter County, Indiana, in the United States. It flows into another river called the East Arm Little Calumet River.
People say that Coffee Creek got its name because a bag of coffee beans was once lost in its waters a long time ago!
Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve
The Coffee Creek Watershed Preserve is a special natural area that protects the land and water around Coffee Creek. It's managed by The Coffee Creek Watershed Conservancy, which is a nonprofit organization. This group was started in 1998.
The conservancy owns and takes care of the natural areas and buildings within the preserve. Their main goal is to protect all the different plants and animals that live in Coffee Creek. They also host fun and educational programs for local schools, teaching kids about nature and conservation.
Land and Amazing Animals
The preserve covers a large area of about 157 acres. It includes different types of natural spaces like wetlands (swampy areas), woodlands (forests), and prairie (grassy plains).
Many animals that are common in the eastern United States live here. You can find creatures typically seen in prairies and tall grass ecosystems. The land also has more than 1,500 large ash trees.
The Emerald Ash Borer Problem
Unfortunately, the preserve faces a challenge from a tiny insect called the emerald ash borer, or EAB. This insect is an invasive species, meaning it's not originally from this area and causes harm.
The emerald ash borer is very destructive to ash trees. There are four types of ash trees that naturally grow in Indiana. The EAB was first found in the preserve in 2010. By 2012, all the ash trees in the area showed signs of being attacked by this insect.
