Conservation Art Trail

Conservation begins with connection—and art is a powerful way to create it. The Conservation Art Trail uses public art to celebrate the landscapes, wildlife, agriculture, and people that make Hamilton County unique while inspiring visitors to take conservation home. Whether it's planting native flowers, improving soil health, protecting clean water, or creating wildlife habitat, every mural demonstrates that small actions can have a lasting impact.

Woodland Paradise

Conservation Starts Here

Restoration Wild Walk

Conservation Starts Here | by Abigail Staffelbach

The "Conservation Starts Here" mural celebrates the many ways conservation takes shape across Hamilton County. Created by local artist Abigail Staffelbach, the mural was made possible through the generous support of Hamilton County Tourism.

The mural illustrates an important message: conservation starts where we are. It begins on our farms, in our neighborhoods, throughout our communities, and here at our office through the conservation services and technical assistance we provide.

Each panel tells part of that story. Click the photos to learn more about each panel.

Whether you're planting native flowers, adopting conservation practices on your farm, volunteering at a community project, or protecting local waterways, every action makes a difference. Our office is proud to help landowners, farmers, and residents find practical conservation solutions through education, technical assistance, and conservation programs. Together, we're building a healthier landscape and a stronger community—because Conservation Starts Here.

This mural is located on the side of the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District office at 1721 Pleasant St. in Noblesville, IN.

Special thanks to Hamilton County Tourism for making this mural possible.

Click each photo to learn more about each panel.

Restoration Wild Walk | by Abigail Staffelbach

This 2024 mural uses the visual language of a comic strip to tell a conservation story. The first panels show two hikers enjoying a walk through the woods, only to notice something is missing—the birdsong has grown quiet. Their observations lead to the realization that invasive species have altered the forest ecosystem.
The story then shifts to action as volunteers remove invasive trees and shrubs and replace them with native trees, wildflowers, and grasses. The final panel, set several years later, reveals the transformation: a vibrant woodland filled with native plants, blooming flowers, and the return of birds and other wildlife.
Educational labels woven throughout the mural identify invasive species such as Bradford pear and bush honeysuckle alongside native trees and wildflowers including eastern redbud, columbine, woodland poppy, trillium, and great blue lobelia. Together, they reinforce the message that restoring native habitat helps restore biodiversity.

Rendered in a colorful, comic-inspired illustration style, the mural demonstrates that even small conservation efforts—removing invasive plants and planting native species—can have lasting impacts on the health of our forests and wildlife.

This mural is located on the side of the Noblesville Township Trustees Office in Noblesville, Indiana.

Special thanks to Hamilton County Tourism for making this mural possible and to the Noblesville Trustee for providing the mural space.
This mural can be viewed 2/47 from the Noblesville Township Trustee Parking Lot at 372 S 8th St, Noblesville, IN 46060.

Woodland Paradise | by Abigail Staffelbach

Woodland Paradise (2024) transforms the front of the Noblesville Township Trustee's Office into a vibrant celebration of Indiana's native woodland wildflowers. Painted in Abigail Staffelbach's signature realistic botanical style, the mural features oversized blooms that invite viewers to appreciate the intricate beauty often found beneath the forest canopy.

The composition showcases several iconic native woodland species, including the white blooms of large-flowered trillium, the cheerful yellow flowers of celandine poppy, and the delicate blue blossoms of Virginia bluebells. Together, these spring wildflowers create a tapestry of color that symbolizes healthy forests, thriving ecosystems, and the importance of preserving native habitats.

By enlarging these flowers beyond their natural scale, the mural encourages passersby to notice the remarkable diversity of plants that support pollinators, birds, and countless other wildlife species. It serves as a reminder that native plants are not only beautiful but also essential to the health and resilience of Indiana's landscapes.

Located along a busy downtown street, Woodland Paradise brings the serenity and wonder of a spring woodland into the heart of the community, inspiring residents and visitors alike to discover, appreciate, and protect the native plants that make our natural heritage unique.

This mural is located on the front of the Noblesville Township Trustees Office in Noblesville, Indiana.

Special thanks to Hamilton County Tourism for making this mural possible and to the Noblesville Trustee for providing the mural space.
This mural can be viewed 2/47 from the Noblesville Township Trustee building at 372 S 8th St, Noblesville, IN 46060.

Special thanks to Hamilton County Tourism for their generous support of these projects. Their support has helped bring conservation education, public art, and local storytelling together in spaces throughout Hamilton County.

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About the Artist
Abigail Staffelbach is a Hamilton County-based muralist whose colorful, site-specific work celebrates community, place, and the natural world - often through native plants. Explore more of her work on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.