Robert Gomez was born in Noblesville and raised in Cicero. After high school, he attended Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. Robert found his way back to Noblesville where he is now a Realtor with Carpenter Realtors.

In Robert’s spare time, he enjoys taking long walks with his dog, Astro, cheering on his alma mater, and removing invasive plant species. Robert attended his first Weed Wrangle in 2023, and that curiosity became a passion. In 2024, Robert joined the Hamilton County Master Gardener Association where he co-chairs the Native and Invasive Species Education Committee. His favorite nature spot is Potter’s Bridge Park, where he enjoys walking with his wife and dog and volunteers to remove invasive plants. Robert describes his volunteer work as “determined” because it must be an ongoing project. If we pause our efforts, the invasives will win.
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 Robert married his wife, Jennie in 2023, who he met in Murray, Kentucky. Robert and Jennie are expecting their first child this month! Robert looks forward to educating the next generation about the importance of land preservation and invasive species removal.
If you’re thinking about getting started with HIP, Robert’s advice is to just jump in. HIP volunteers and Hamilton County Soil and Water staff are fully prepared to educate new volunteers and make them feel welcome and part of the family!

​My wife Kelly and I live in Westfield near the Kroger on HWY 32 and Carey Road.  The first Weed Wrangle that I participated in was actually right behind the Kroger on the Midland Trace Trail.  That’s when I learned about invasive bush and amur honeysuckle.  It definitely changed the way that I look at the pedestrian/bike trails and the parks in Indy and its suburbs.  What used to look like a pleasant wall of green with white flowers in the spring, now seems more like the Kutzu of down south known as “the vine that ate the south”.  So, honeysuckle is the bush that is eating Indiana, driving out native plants and trees.

My interest in invasive plant removal probably started when we lived in Plymouth, Minnesota, a western suburb of Minneapolis.  When we moved into our new home in Plymouth, our cul-de-sac had been carved out of a mature wooded area.  We had giant red and white oak trees as well as a stand of shorter trees/bushes that had sharp thorns and produced black berries in the fall.  Turned out that these trees were buckthorn and like honeysuckle out compete native plants.  Thus began my mission to remove all buckthorn from my yard.  My neighbors gave me the nickname “Buckthorn Bob”.

My career in healthcare finance had us moving a few times: Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and finally to Indiana.  When I retired about three years ago from Indiana University Health Plans, my time available for volunteer activities became more flexible.  It was then that I attended a couple more Weed Wrangles and met with Kim Gauen and Jacob Luken from Hamilton County Soil & Water and became more interested in helping out as a Park Steward.  The past couple of years I have been working with Shelly Brown from Westfield Green Together at Raymond Worth Park.  In addition, every Monday I try to join a group at Potter’s Bridge removing invasives.  I also have worked on removing invasives at MacGregor Park for Tim O’Hara, the new Park Manager for Washington Township.  There are numerous parks in Westfield, Carmel, Noblesville and Fishers that have significant honeysuckle, callery pear and other invasive infestations that need removal. 

​My career in finance was rewarding as you were a steward of company assets.  But being a Park Steward gives you a chance to enjoy the outdoors while helping to make our parks and common areas more vibrant and accessible.

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​Spring has arrived! Things are certainly greening up, and gardeners everywhere are beginning to think about what we want to plant and what soil preparations may be needed.

One important preparation is to have your soil tested, especially if it has been a few years since the last test.  Depending on the “crop” you intend to grow (vegetables, flowers, trees, lawn), you may need to apply certain amendments to create the ideal growing conditions. A healthy plant is more productive and resilient to adverse conditions (weather, disease, harmful insects, competition from weeds) when it is in the correct soil conditions. 

Taking a soil sample for testing is pretty simple. The full instructions can be found on our Soil Testing Webpage. 
Basically, you need to obtain a representative sample for the area you want to test, whether that be a vegetable garden, a lawn, a shrub bed, etc. To get a representative sample, take several samples from your testing area and thoroughly mix them in a clean pail or bucket to create your representative sample or "average" soil for your yard.

Once a soil sample is obtained and mixed, bring 2 cups of the mixed soil to our office, where we will label it and send it to the lab.  Results are usually available within about 4 days, and those can be emailed directly to you. 

What you will receive is a list of the current nutrient levels, the pH (how acidic or alkaline your soil is), organic matter content, and a few other things (for which an explanation sheet will be provided).  You will also receive recommendations on what nutrients to apply (dependent on your intended “crop”), how much of each nutrient, how to adjust the pH if needed, and when to do all of this. 

Our Basic Test - $35 includes organic matter, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, CEC, pH, and buffer pH.  Our Complete Test- $45 includes the Basic Test plus conductivity, boron, copper, iron, manganese, sulfur, and zinc. 

If you are interested in completing a test this spring, or any other time of the year, just follow the directions on our website and submit a sample to our office.  We will be happy to help.

The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District held its Annual Meeting this February at the 4-H Fairgrounds with over 90 residents in attendance. Guests listened to presentations, voted in the SWCD Supervisor election, and learned more about the District's 2025 work, presented by Dave Bradway.

County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt presented "Water Availability: Local Action, Statewide Impact" alongside Jack Wittman, PhD. They discussed how early concerns about water availability have led to deeper local investigation and growing attention at the state level. Representatives from the Nature Conservancy, Sarah Reilly and Danielle Randles, delivered presentations on edge-of-field drainage practices and new initiatives to install these practices for conservation-minded farmers in Indiana.

Awards were presented to highlight local conservation work. The SWCD recognized Grand Park Sports Campus and Westfield Green Together with the Outstanding Conservation Project Award for their native tree planting project, which included planting 130 native trees at Grand Park.

The Friend of Conservation Award was presented to Alecia Larkin for her dedication to conservation outreach in the community. As a Master Gardener and Community Outreach Committee Co-Chair, Alecia Larkin regularly represents the Master Gardener program at community events across Hamilton County.

Clay Middle School was recognized with the Excellence in Environmental Education Award for its annual Invasive Species Symposium. Since 2014, Steven Sturgis has led the school's sixth-grade invasive species symposium, creating an authentic, project-based learning experience. The program brings together scientists and conservation professionals from across the region, allowing students to present their work to experts on the frontlines of invasive species management.

The River Friendly Farmer Award was presented to Heather and Jeff Figurelli for their conservation practices at Fig's Farm. While they specialize in growing produce and flowers and caring for rescue farm animals, they also focus on native habitat restoration. They have constructed a half-acre pond on their property, installed three acres of native herbaceous plants, and continue to plant native trees annually. Their goal is to transform their property into predominantly native landscaping and habitat.
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Crystal Neuman was elected to the SWCD Board of Supervisors and sworn in at the meeting by Mark Heirbrandt. Her experience spans sustainable management program development, research and curriculum design, and community-centered initiatives focused on responsible land use. As a former Fishers City Councilor, sustainability was one of her core policy priorities — and that dedication continues in this new role.

As the year marches on and we begin to move on from the Spring rainy season in Hamilton County to the hotter and drier Summer many of our invasive species have been hard at work growing and preparing to release seed for the next year.  May and June are incredibly important for managing these invasives, especially our invasive grasses and other herbaceous plants. The good news is that targeted action now can dramatically reduce their spread and make long-term management achievable.
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One of the primary groups to focus on this time of year is invasive grasses. Species like Cattail, Common Reed, and Reed Canarygrass thrive in the warm, humid conditions of early and mid – summer. These grasses all thrive in aquatic areas and can easily be found ringing our retention ponds, in drainage ditches, along rivers and creeks, around Geist and Morse Reservoir, and a wide variety of other aquatic environments. 

Other herbaceous invasive species (herbaceous refers to anything that does not have woody stems.) to look out for in the summer include Poison Hemlock, Canada Thistle, and Teasel. These plants are aggressive and sweep through prairies, wood lines, and even our lawns and neighborhood common areas. Left unmanaged, they can quickly form dense stands that crowd out native vegetation, reducing habitat quality for pollinators and wildlife. Many of these species also produce abundant seed or spread through underground root systems, making early detection and control especially important to prevent long-term infestations. 

For HOAs, homeowners, and land managers timing and technique are essential. Mechanical control methods such as mowing before flower and seed production can help keep these infestations from spreading. Over time, repetitive mowing throughout the season may even exhaust the plant’s root system and kill it. For larger infestations, areas where mowers cannot go, or for more aggressive control, herbicide application may be the most practical option.  As always, follow the label requirements – an important thing to look for with many of these species is an herbicide that is rated for aquatic purposes to reduce the likelihood of negative effects on our ponds, rivers, and streams.
 
With any invasive species control, but especially grasses and herbaceous plants, consistency is key. A single season of control will not eliminate the plants, but repeated efforts year after year will steadily reduce their presence and provide space for our native plants to take hold. Monitoring treated areas later in the summer and into the fall can help catch regrowth or late bloomers and aid in strategizing for next year’s maintenance.

And finally, don’t overlook the importance of restoration. Many of these herbaceous plants grow in thick stands that, once removed, will leave a bare spot that may need to be filled with beneficial plants or else invasive species will move right back in. Healthy, diverse plant communities are one of the best defenses against future invasions. 

The Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District (HCSWCD) has been awarded a $100,000 Clean Water Indiana grant through the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) to support invasive species management efforts across Hamilton County.

Through this three-year grant, $94,000 will be distributed directly to Hamilton County residents as cost-share funding to remove invasive species and restore native landscapes—efforts that improve water quality, reduce erosion, and strengthen local ecosystems.

“Removing invasive species is one of the most impactful steps landowners can take to improve their property and protect our local waterways,” said Claire Lane, Urban Conservationist at HCSWCD. “This funding allows us to meet residents where they are—whether they’re just getting started or tackling a larger project—and give them the tools and support they need to take action.”
The program is closely aligned with the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership (HIP), a countywide collaborative effort focused on education, outreach, and on-the-ground invasive species control.

In addition to financial assistance, HCSWCD will introduce landowner toolkits designed to help smaller property owners get started managing invasive species. These toolkits will include essential equipment such as pruners, loppers, herbicide application tools, safety gear, and other supplies to support safe and effective removal.

Residents interested in participating can begin by requesting a free invasive species site assessment through HCSWCD. Program applications are expected to open soon.

For more information or to request a site assessment, contact the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District at 317-773-2181or visit www.hamiltonswcd.org.

Water availability has been a major factor in the development of civilization from the beginning of humanity. We use water for innumerable uses, from survival to industrial cooling. It is no surprise that without water, not only would cities and towns be unable to function, but humans also would not be able to survive without hydration.

More recently, water rights have become increasingly important. Moreso in the western United States, where water is far less abundant, but also here in Hamilton County, close to home. Since growing up in Muncie, IN, I have come to know many examples of how our population utilizes water and how loss of that water could affect us. Muncie has a reservoir on the east side of town that is owned by the water utility and is used to supplement the amount of water flowing in White River, where Muncie acquires its drinking water. There have been several studies done to try to estimate the amount of water we will need in order to support a growing population in the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. Notably, a large reservoir was proposed between Anderson and Muncie. This is in addition to the Reservoirs created on the north side of Indianapolis: Eagle Creek, Morse, and Geist.

While communities try to entice companies to the area to bolster the local economy, one factor companies look to as a benefit of any proposed development area is water availability. Hamilton County is no stranger to this. In recent years County leadership has been at the forefront of how, when, and where residents use water and how water should be conserved for the future.

If this topic is of interest to readers of this article, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt will be speaking and taking questions about water availability in Hamilton County at the Hamilton County SWCD Annual Meeting at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on February 19th. This meeting will also include a review and overview of SWCD events and achievements from 2025, as well as lunch provided and the election of an SWCD Board Member. More info on the Annual Meeting, presentations, and election can be found here.

The Nature Conservancy, in partnership with, among others, the Hamilton County SWCD has acquired grant funds from the National Water Quality Initiative in the form of a Readiness Grant. This grant is based on the upstream waters that flow into Morse Lake from the Big Cicero Creek Watershed in northern Hamilton and Southern Tipton Counties. This grant provides funds for conservation projects that directly affect Morse Lake and its water quality. These conservation projects can range from cover crop programs to vegetative buffers and many projects in between.

If this topic is of interest to readers of this article, representatives from The Nature Conservancy will be speaking and taking questions about the NWQI Readiness Grant and how to be involved at the Hamilton County SWCD Annual Meeting at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds on February 19th. This meeting will also include a review and overview of SWCD events and achievements from 2025, as well as lunch provided and the election of an SWCD Board Member. More info on the Annual Meeting, presentations, and election can be found here. 

​Back to the seeds. Here is what I saw when I cut open 12 seeds (one from each of 12 trees). Five were “spoons”, four were “forks”, and three were “knives”. So how do we interpret that, according to old folklore? Spoons indicate a snowy winter (think of it as a tiny snow shovel). Forks indicate a milder winter. Knives indicate a harsh/cold winter (think of it as cold wind, cutting like a knife). So, what can we take away from these 12 seeds?