In this issue:

• Water Quality and Testing in Hamilton County
• Winter Invasive Plant Management in Indiana
• Hamilton SWCD Secures $70,900 CWI Grant
• Welcome Back Taylor
• HIP Year in Review
• SWCD Staff attends IASWCD Conference
• Do Trees Get Thirsty in the Winter?
• Fishers Neighborhood Vibrancy Grant Open 
• Local Group in Carmel Focused on Preserving Mature Trees
• Conservation Corner

Water Quality and Testing in Hamilton County

There is a lot of discussion in Hamilton County about water availability and usage, but less talk about water quality. When it comes to drinking water, the quality can differ a great deal with location. The Hamilton County SWCD offers private well testing for residents. Testing annually is encouraged to ensure the quality of your well is continuous throughout the time you own your home.

Winter Invasive Plant Management in Indiana: A Crucial Seasonal Effort

Winter in Indiana may bring visions of snowy landscapes and dormant vegetation, but for environmental stewards and conservationists it signals a critical phase in the ongoing fight against invasive plant species. As the temperatures drop and native flora enter dormancy, invasive plants can often seize the opportunity to establish themselves and wreak havoc on ecosystems. In response to this seasonal challenge, residents of Hamilton County can employ a targeted and strategic approach to invasive plant management practices during the winter months.

Welcome Back Taylor!

​Hi everyone, I’m back at Soil and Water! I’m taking over for Alexis Warren as the Conservation Technician and Outreach Assistant. I’m very excited to be back and reinvigorate outreach projects from my previous time in this role. I’ll be working on several programs, including the Soil Trailer, Women 4 the Land, social media outreach, the Town and Country Newsletter, maintaining the garden tower, boothing and events, the SWCD Annual Meeting, and the 4h fair.

For those wondering what I did with my time away from the district...

HIP Year in Review

2023 was a banner year for the Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and our plan for 2024 is even stronger!  The addition of a volunteer coordinator to the team will help us address our biggest issue—we need more help!  There are some really thrilling projects planned for the year and many opportunities to get involved in boots on the ground positions removing invasives and even more opportunities to support educational efforts and lead or support HIP projects.   HIP is a great way to get involved in the ecological stewardship of your community and have some fun along the way. No experience or invasive species knowledge is required.  Please email hcinvasives@hamiltoncounty.in.gov or join us for a monthly meeting to get involved.

SWCD Staff Attends IASWCD Conference

This past Monday and Tuesday the SWCD Staff attended the Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts' Annual Conference. We attended learning sessions including Diversifying your Farm Operation, Small Farm Conservation Practices, Carbon Capture and Geologic Sequestration, How to Grow a Dynamic Board, and many others! 

We are excited to integrate what we learned into our existing programing, and to continue getting conservation on the ground in Hamilton County.

Do Trees Get Thirsty in the Winter?

Do trees and other plants get thirsty in the winter?  Well, it depends on the weather conditions, but generally yes, especially newly planted trees. Older established trees have a more extensive root system and are more resilient to dry winters. Since we recently had a tree sale this past fall, I will concentrate on “new” trees as opposed to older established trees, however even older trees can experience winter drought issues....

Fishers Neighborhood Vibrancy Grant Open

The Fishers Neighborhood Vibrancy Grant is open for 2024! The purpose of this grant is to provide funding for creative and innovative ideas that make our community a more beautiful place to live, and that will impact the lives of the residents of Fishers. The deadline for the first round of funding is January 31st.