Resources for native landscape development for HOAs

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 your 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)
  • INPS has a variety of very helpful resources on their website related to landscaping with natives, invasive species, and more. 
    • Getting Started in the Home Landscape
    • Buy Natives Directory
    • Grow Indiana Natives Certification Program - certify you native garden and purchase a sign
    • Toward a Native Friendly HOA
    • INPS Central Chapter
  • INPS and Central Chapter both have small grant programs. 
• 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. 
  • 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. 
  • Hamilton County NICE Committee
  • Boone County 

​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
  • Directory of Professional Foresters in Indiana
  • Arborists
• Restoration contractors and landscape designers
  • The SWCD maintains a list of contractors.  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. 

Prairie/Pond edge/Natives Design, Install, & Supplier List

Restoring HOA Native Landscapes 8/12/22
Watch the webinar on YouTube HERE. 
Workshop resource packet available here. 

Beyond Lawns: How to Advocate for Native Plants and Diversify Your Community's Landscape Webinar 5/29/24
View slides here.
Watch the webinar on YouTube HERE.

Access course here

White River Alliance Stormwater Landscape Training (free)
This training was developed with local Hamilton County municipalities to help Homeowners Associations, property managers, landscape contractors, and land developers understand stormwater landscape maintenance requirements and how to read Operation & Maintenance Plans in order to avoid corrective action.

Additional Resources and Guides

• ​Creating and Maintaining a Native Prairie Booklet- Hamilton SWCD
• Example Landscape Plans - Hamilton SWCD
• National Wildlife Federation Guide to Passing Wildlife-Friendly Property Maintenance Ordinances
• Bee and Butterfly Fund Pollinator Habitat Establishment and Maintenance Guide
• Hamilton County Urban Conservation Association
• Prairie Nursery - Seed Mix Establishment Guide
• Hamilton County Invasives Partnership
• Seed a Legacy - financial assistance for seed purchases (2 acre minimum)
• Fishers residents and HOAs- grant opportunities for invasive mgt and native plantings via the City of Fishers.
• Ridgefield HOA cost savings handout

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Where to see examples