Financial Assistance & Cost Share Programs
SWCD Cost Share
SWCD/BYC Cost Share
The Hamilton County Soil & Water Conservation District backyard conservation cost share program is on pause while the program is being evaluated for effectiveness and funding secured. Visit the BYC Cost Share Page for more info. Outdoor Lab/Classroom Grants
The Hamilton County SWCD realizes the importance and need for hands-on learning in the outdoors. Small grants are occasionally available to assist in the creation or expansion of outdoor classrooms as schools, churches, and other locations are available.
Contact the SWCD for more info. 317-773-2181 soil.water@hamiltoncounty.in.gov |
Well Capping Cost ShareThe Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District provides funding to cap wells. The SWCD will pay half the cost not to exceed $500. The application should be submitted and approved before the capping is started.
Visit the Well Capping page for more info. |
City of Fishers |
City of Carmel |
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The City of Fishers provides Neighborhood Vibrancy grants (native plantings, invasive removal, trail projects, and more) as well as Stormwater grants. Learn more here. We can help with project design.
The city also offers a free rain barrel program. |
City of Carmel rain barrel cost share program.
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Indiana Native Plant Society
State Chapter Grants
INPS supports well-conceived grant projects that are in line with their mission: To promote the appreciation, preservation, scientific study, and use of plants native to Indiana. To teach people about their beauty, diversity, and importance to our environment.
INPS Biodiversity Grants are awarded in three categories: Research, Demonstration Garden Land Management and Conservation
Awards range from $400 to $1,500. Additional funding may be considered on larger projects. Learn more on the INPS website.
Timeline
Application form opens September 1
Deadline for proposals: October 1
INPS Central Chapter Small Grants Program
INPS Central Chapter is offering grant awards of up to $300 for well-conceived projects that promote the conservation, study and use of plants native to Indiana. Applicants must be part of a not-for-profit group or organization such as community gardens, schools, churches, scout groups or neighborhood associations. INPS aims to support diversity, equity and inclusion of all Central Indiana communities.
To be considered for a grant, fill out an application by following this link: https://fs27.formsite.com/JinkhW/dipkvdsaz2/index.html. Press “submit” when completed. If you have any questions, email: centralgrants@indiananativeplants.org.
INPS supports well-conceived grant projects that are in line with their mission: To promote the appreciation, preservation, scientific study, and use of plants native to Indiana. To teach people about their beauty, diversity, and importance to our environment.
INPS Biodiversity Grants are awarded in three categories: Research, Demonstration Garden Land Management and Conservation
Awards range from $400 to $1,500. Additional funding may be considered on larger projects. Learn more on the INPS website.
Timeline
Application form opens September 1
Deadline for proposals: October 1
INPS Central Chapter Small Grants Program
INPS Central Chapter is offering grant awards of up to $300 for well-conceived projects that promote the conservation, study and use of plants native to Indiana. Applicants must be part of a not-for-profit group or organization such as community gardens, schools, churches, scout groups or neighborhood associations. INPS aims to support diversity, equity and inclusion of all Central Indiana communities.
To be considered for a grant, fill out an application by following this link: https://fs27.formsite.com/JinkhW/dipkvdsaz2/index.html. Press “submit” when completed. If you have any questions, email: centralgrants@indiananativeplants.org.
USDA/NRCS
Take a look at this guide for help from federal programs to foster sustainable and innovative initiatives associated with agriculture and forestry in this country and territories. Building Sustainable Farms, Ranches, and Communities - A Guide to Federal Programs.
CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program)
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state natural resources conservation program that addresses state and nationally significant agricultural related environmental concerns.
Through CREP, program participants receive financial incentives to voluntarily enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 14 to 15 years. Participants remove cropland from agricultural production and convert the land to native grasses, trees and other vegetation.
Hamilton County is within a qualifying watershed - the Upper White River.
More information on CREP can be found here:
USDA Farm Service Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program)
The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is for owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern on the land. It is a ranked program which has both local and state ranking criteria.
You can learn more about EQIP, enrollment, eligible practices, and application cut off dates at the Indiana NRCS EQIP website.
See this helpful article concerning invasive removal and forest stand improvement through EQIP.
If you are interested, please contact Angela Garrison, District Conservationist, 317-773-2181 ext 105. or e-mail angela.garrison@usda.gov.
CREP (Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program)
The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program (CREP) is a federal-state natural resources conservation program that addresses state and nationally significant agricultural related environmental concerns.
Through CREP, program participants receive financial incentives to voluntarily enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) in contracts of 14 to 15 years. Participants remove cropland from agricultural production and convert the land to native grasses, trees and other vegetation.
Hamilton County is within a qualifying watershed - the Upper White River.
More information on CREP can be found here:
USDA Farm Service Agency
Natural Resources Conservation Service
EQIP (Environmental Quality Incentive Program)
The Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) is for owners of land in agricultural or forest production or persons who are engaged in livestock, agricultural or forest production on eligible land and that have a natural resource concern on the land. It is a ranked program which has both local and state ranking criteria.
You can learn more about EQIP, enrollment, eligible practices, and application cut off dates at the Indiana NRCS EQIP website.
See this helpful article concerning invasive removal and forest stand improvement through EQIP.
If you are interested, please contact Angela Garrison, District Conservationist, 317-773-2181 ext 105. or e-mail angela.garrison@usda.gov.
Department of Natural Resources
A variety of funding opportunities are available through Indiana DNR. These include cost share opportunities as well as programs to protect areas in exchange for property tax reductions.
Learn more on their website: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2352.htm
Urban Pollinator Habitat Cost Share
Financial assistance may be available for your urban pollinator habitat project. Contact the SWCD for more info and contact information.
Upland Game Bird and Wildlife Habitat Cost Share
Your land may qualify for financial assistance to establish important habitat for game birds and other wildlife. Habitat buffers for upland birds are strips of vegetation established around the edges of crop fields to provide habitat for bobwhite quail, ring-neck pheasant, and other upland birds. Many of these birds have suffered population declines due to loss of habitat. These buffers can provide important nesting, brood rearing and escape cover while also serving as travel corridors between areas of suitable habitat.
In addition to habitat for upland birds, these buffers may provide habitat for other animals and may limit sediment, nutrients, pesticides and other contaminants from entering streams and other water bodies.
Details regarding the variety of options available can be found on the Indiana DNR website or contact Angela Garrison at 317-773-2181 ext. 105 or e-mail angela.garrison@usda.gov.
Learn more on their website: http://www.in.gov/dnr/fishwild/2352.htm
Urban Pollinator Habitat Cost Share
Financial assistance may be available for your urban pollinator habitat project. Contact the SWCD for more info and contact information.
Upland Game Bird and Wildlife Habitat Cost Share
Your land may qualify for financial assistance to establish important habitat for game birds and other wildlife. Habitat buffers for upland birds are strips of vegetation established around the edges of crop fields to provide habitat for bobwhite quail, ring-neck pheasant, and other upland birds. Many of these birds have suffered population declines due to loss of habitat. These buffers can provide important nesting, brood rearing and escape cover while also serving as travel corridors between areas of suitable habitat.
In addition to habitat for upland birds, these buffers may provide habitat for other animals and may limit sediment, nutrients, pesticides and other contaminants from entering streams and other water bodies.
Details regarding the variety of options available can be found on the Indiana DNR website or contact Angela Garrison at 317-773-2181 ext. 105 or e-mail angela.garrison@usda.gov.
Other programs
Native Plants Unlimited offers small grants in the form of gift cards for use in their annual sale. Learn more here.