The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) has awarded just over $9,000 to eight different landowners to implement Backyard Conservation Practices including rain gardens, pond shoreline plantings, wildlife habitat plantings, and much more.  These practices will help improve water quality, enhance wildlife habitat, and protect soil quality in Hamilton County’s quickly growing urban areas. 

Rain gardens are shallow, depressional areas planted heavily with native flowers and grasses.  These special gardens are placed strategically to capture stormwater runoff from a downspout, sidewalk, driveway, or other impervious area.  The water is then filtered and absorbed into the ground instead of running into the street, storm sewers, and eventually our streams and rivers.  They are beautiful landscape features that serve a water-quality function as well.

Pond shoreline plantings include native grasses, sedges, and flowers that grow in and along the water of a retention pond, stream, or other body of water.  The deep root systems of these native species stabilize the soil, preventing shoreline erosion and sedimentation.  They also filter the water in the pond, and provide bird, butterfly, and amphibian habitat.

Wildlife habitat plantings include native tree and shrub plantings, prairie gardens, and windbreaks in backyards and neighborhood common areas that provide food and shelter for native songbirds, pollinators, and other wildlife.

The Hamilton County SWCD offers cost-share funding for urban, suburban, and rural best management practices that would not otherwise be installed without financial assistance.  The SWCD Board of Supervisors reviews competitive applications twice a year; the applications must be based on a Conservation Plan written by an SWCD employee.  For more information on this program, please contact the Hamilton County SWCD at (317) 773-2181.

The Hamilton County SWCD is a local government agency providing the community with conservation leadership and quality service dedicated to improving and sustaining our natural resources.  The SWCD offers educational, technical, and financial assistance to landowners interested in conservation practices to reduce soil erosion, improve water quality, and create wildlife habitat.  Their Agriculture Stewardship Initiative assists rural landowners while the Backyard Conservation Program services urban/suburban landowners.

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