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.

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!

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 26^th.  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.

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 9^th.  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 151^st 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!