Resources for native landscape development

Who to contact for help:
  • Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)
    • Your local SWCD may be able to help you with direct technical assistance. If that is not a service they provide, the SWCD can likely help direct you to other resources (like those listed below). Find you SWCD here or search online.
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
    • NRCS is part of the United States Department of Agriculture. Your local District Conservationist may be able to provide direct technical support, help you find alternate/additional local resources, and/or potentially help you enroll your property in a federal conservation financial assistance program (these programs are generally limited to areas that were recently farmed). 
    • Learn about different NRCS programs here. 
    • Find your local service center and conservationist here. 
  • Pheasants Forever
    • Pheasants Forever has a prairie grass drill that can be loaned out for DIY prairie seeding projects. They also have biologists that can assist with designing, developing, and funding projects (likely focused on ag lands but worth checking out). Learn more here. 
  • Indiana Native Plant Society (INPS)
  • Department of Natural Resources
    • There are multiple opportunities for assistance related to wetlands, urban areas, grasslands, forests etc. 
    • Learn more about programs and financial assistance opportunities here. 
    • The Urban Wildlife program and biologists are particularly great resources if you are in a qualifying area. Find your biologist here. These biologists are also great resources for nuisance wildlife conflict issues (Canada Geese!). ​Erin Basiger (Call: 765-276-3047, Email: ebasiger@dnr.IN.gov) is the biologist for Hamilton, Marion, Johnson, and Hendricks counties. Boone County is Kent Hanauer (Call: 765-529-319, Email: khanauer@dnr.IN.gov)
    • Community and Urban Forestry Program 
  • Local land trusts - research and contact local land trusts to see what assistance or resources they may have available. 
  • Master Gardeners - some Master Gardener groups have committees specifically devoted to native plants.  This may be a helpful resource for residential or landscape style plantings in particular. 
​Private industry/consultants
Take your time when searching for a private consultant or contractor to help plan, install, or maintain your project.  Not all landscape professionals are knowledgeable about native plants. Ask questions, ask for references from similar projects. 
  • Private foresters and arborists
  • Restoration contractors and landscape designers
    • The SWCD maintains a list of contractors here.  This list does not serve as an official recommendation and is not exhaustive. 
    • Several landscape designers who work with natives are also registered via the Grow Indiana Natives program. Look for the blue headlines for designers on the Buy Natives page on the INPS website. 
WATCH THE WEBINAR ON DEMAND ON YOUTUBE HERE. 
Workshop resource packet available here. 
Additional Resources and Guides ​

Where to see examples
Your SWCD

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soil.water@hamiltoncounty.in.gov
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