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Homeowners Learn
to Improve Our Water Quality
Rain gardens, rain barrels, and lake edge enhancements
were just a few of the hot topics discussed at two “Improving Water Quality through Backyard Conservation” workshops
held in southern Hamilton County this week. The forty individuals in attendance
learned how they can improve the water quality of our streams, rivers, and reservoirs, just by making some smart choices when
landscaping. Rain gardens, small depressional flowerbeds designed to capture
stormwater runoff from a residential downspout, are becoming a very popular landscape feature.
They are beautiful, low maintenance, and attract birds and butterflies. The
best part, however, is the fact that they reduce stormwater runoff into our streets, which in turn reduces the amount of pollutants
entering our waterways. Rain barrels work much the same, by capturing and storing
water to be used later for watering plants, pets, or washing the car. Lake edge enhancements,
flowers and grasses planted at the water’s edge, work well to prevent bank erosion while also filtering pollutants out
of the water. Attendees listened to experts on the topics, viewed photos of these
features, and learned the steps to creating their own environmentally-friendly backyards.
They also had the opportunity to schedule a free backyard consultation with Shaena Smith, Hamilton County’s Urban Conservationist.
If you would like to receive email or mail alerts about upcoming workshops, please contact Shaena Smith.
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| Shaena Smith (Urban Conservationist) describes blooming wildflowers in the bioswale at West Park. |
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| Drew Bender (JFNew) discusses lake edge enhancements. |
Haven’t Thought About Building a Rain Garden
Yet? Get With It!
Rain gardens are
popping up everywhere, and if you haven’t seen one yet, you probably will soon.
These depressional, landscaped beds are strategically placed to capture stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces
in urban areas (your roof, patio, or sidewalk). This reduces the quantity of
stormwater flooding our streets and streams. Any pollutants in the stormwater
are also filtered by the water-loving, native plants in the garden. The water
infiltrates into the soil, which recharges our groundwater aquifers as well. And
of course, these gardens are beautiful, colorful, and low maintenance additions to a homeowner’s yard! If you would like more information on rain gardens, download our Rain Garden Tip Sheet (scroll down the
page). Once you are ready to join the growing number of homeowners dedicated
to improving our water quality, create your own! The photos below show the creation
of two rain gardens installed just this spring. We’d love to see photos
of yours!
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| First you have to kill the grass |
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| Dig until the raingarden is 6-8 inches deep with sloped edges (bowl-shaped) |
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| Plant flowers and grasses about 12 inches apart |
The next rain garden is a demonstration site at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds. You'll
notice is very large, not a typical homeowner's rain garden, because this one is designed to capture all the water running
off new the Llama Barn. Go see it for yourself!
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| Heavy equipment dug the hole |
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| We planted nearly 1,000 plants! |
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| Planting - you have to make sure the right plants are in the right places. |
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| Make sure to water after planting |
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| Mulching is the last step |
Homeowners in Fishers Quickly Turning Backyard into a Wildlife-Friendly
Area!
A couple in Fishers is quickly implementing the recommendations
in their Backyard Conservation Plan! Their first step was to plant a new tree, common chokecherry, in their front lawn.
This native species will attract butterflies and birds with its flowers and fruits. Soon thereafter, they purchased
and installed a rain barrel to conserve water resources and reduce their stormwater runoff. They are also creating a
small brush pile in the backyard to provide escape and nesting cover for small animals. A prairie planting was their
next endeavor, and the one which will take the most patience. As their native prairie plants begin to grow, they will
spend much of the first year putting down deep roots. Larger flower blooms and full, swaying grasses are not typically
seen until the second year (but are so worth the wait!). This prairie planting will provide cover, seeds, and nectar for
wildlife. Besides having more birds and butterflies to watch from their patio, the couple will have more time to enjoy
their yard since they won't be mowing this large hillside anymore! This home is a wonderful example of what can be done
with a typical backyard. If you have not had a conservation plan written for your yard yet, call us today to get started!
We could be featuring YOUR project next!
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| Make sure the planting hole is plenty wide and the correct depth |
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| Mulch only needs to be a few inches deep and NOT mounded around the trunk |
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| They chose a brown rain barrel that you barely notice! |
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| Brush piles are an easy way to help wildlife |
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| You have to kill the grass before planting wildflower seed |
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| The prairie has been tilled and planted - now it is time to water |
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| A biodegradable erosion control blanket keeps the seed and soil from washing downhill |
Homeowners Learn to Naturalize Their
Neighborhoods with Backyard
Conservation!
Numerous Hamilton
County residents attended the Backyard Conservation workshop sponsored
by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) on April 26th.
The Saturday morning event, held at Lake Forest Subdivision in Carmel,
featured a tour of the neighborhood’s 5-acre arboretum, which was filled with towering trees, blooming wildflowers,
fragrant shrubs, and chirping birds. It also showcased a native pond edge enhancement
system – a variety of grasses and wildflowers planted along the neighborhood retention pond’s shoreline. These plants reduce bank erosion and water pollution, deter nuisance Canada geese, and offer wildlife habitat, all while providing a colorful display
of blooms during the growing season. Lastly, participants learned how to work
with utilities, including easements and rights-of-way, which is increasingly important in our urban areas. Attendees became familiar with the Backyard Conservation Program, through which the Hamilton County SWCD
promotes small changes in the way homeowners manage their backyards. By mulching,
composting, landscaping with native plants, planting trees, or installing native pond shoreline vegetation, residents can
drastically improve the quality of our environment – the air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat it provides.
The Backyard Conservation
Program provides educational, technical, and financial assistance to landowners in Hamilton
County. Whether your backyard
is measured in square feet or acres – there is something you can do to promote conservation! Lake Forest Subdivision (located on the north side of 116th
Street just west of Hazel del Parkway) is a demonstration site that you are welcome to visit at
any time. Continue to check this site or call our office (317-773-2181 ext.
107) for further information on workshops, demonstration sites, or to schedule your personal, free, backyard consultation!
Download the Brochure and Trail Map for Lake Forest Arboretum here!
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| Shaena Smith (SWCD) welcomes attendees |
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| Kevin Tungesvick (Spence Restoration Nursery) discusses pond edge enhancements |
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| A poster shows the common grasses and wildflowers that will be growing soon |
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| The arboretum tour begins, highlighting native trees, shrubs, and wildflowers |
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| The group discusses a new redbud seedling that is in bloom |
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| Tom Ordway (Duke Energy) discusses how to work with utilities |
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| It finally warmed up during this final talk of the morning |
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| Just before I left for the day, I spotted this turtle swimming with some bluegill in the large pond |
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Backyard Conservation Gets Residents Ready for Spring!
Over
fifty Hamilton County residents attended “Practicing Backyard Conservation”
- a workshop sponsored by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department on February 9th. The Saturday
morning event, held at Cool
Creek Park in Carmel,
focused on native plants, invasive plant control, water conservation, mulching, and backyard ponds. It also featured a guided tour of the newly renovated Cool Creek Greenhouse, which has been planted with
native trees, shrubs, grasses, wildflowers, and even features a small pond. Attendees
became familiar with the Backyard Conservation Program, learning how they can make small changes in their backyards to drastically
improve the quality of our environment – the air, water, soil, and wildlife habitat it provides.
The Cool Creek Greenhouse (located in Cool Creek Park on
the north side of 151st
Street, just east of Highway 31) is a demonstration
site that you are welcome to visit at any time. Interpretive signage and Backyard
Conservation tip sheets will be available to help you learn at your own pace. Visit
the greenhouse, get inspired, and then call the SWCD to schedule your free, backyard consultation today!
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| Attendees sign in and fill up on refreshments |
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| Shaena Smith (SWCD) welcomes the group |
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| Dan Anderson (INPAWS) describes common boneset - a native wildflower |
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| Neill Mullett (JFNew) defines invasive plants |
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| Amanda Smith (Hamilton Co. Parks Dept.) gives a tour of the greenhouse |
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| Attendees visit sponsors' booths and displays, collecting valuable information |
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| Suzanne Stevens (HC Master Gardener) discusses mulching |
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| Kathryn Mascaro (HC Master Gardener) teaches proper watering techniques |
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| Greg Oskay (Water Resources Design, Inc) talks about backyard ponds |
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Do you live in one of Hamilton County's quickly growing urban areas? Are you concerned with environmental quality,
stormwater runoff, soil erosion, or wildlife habitat? Then the Backyard Conservation Program is for you! This
program offers educational, technical, and financial assistance to homeowners and homeowner associations. If you would
to learn more about how the Backyard Conservation Program can benefit you, contact Shaena Smith, Urban Conservationist, at
(317) 773-2181 ext. 107 or shaena.smith@in.nacdnet.net.
Backyard Conservation Program Brochure
Learn More About These Backyard
Best Management Practices:
Backyard Ponds
Backyard Wetlands
Composting
Filter Strips
Invasive Plant Control
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