The mission of the Tippecanoe Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is to provide quality technical, educational, and informational resources for the community through leadership, service, and citizen involvement to foster natural resource conservation and environmental stewardship. The SWCD is proud to report accomplishments for the third year of our 2010-2014 Strategic Plan which was created to guide us in instilling the importance of natural resources into our community’s mind and to install comprehensive & innovative conservation practices.
During 2012, the Tippecanoe SWCD:
o Conducted site visits with landowners promoting conservation systems on ongoing basis
o Hosted Cover Crop Demonstration Workshop @ Verhey Farms in 2012
o Performed annual tillage transect 2012
o Installed 2,761 acres of cover crops in 2012
o Hosted no-till/cover crop workshop in 2012 partnering w/Greater Wabash River RC&D and the Midwest Cover Crop Council
o As part of a multi county Clean Water Indiana (CWI) effort, installed nine replicated research plots with two species mixes of cover crops in 2012
o Improved working relationships with the County Drainage Board through SWCD representation at County Drainage Board meetings and discussions relative to ditch banks in 2012
o Staffed a display at “Discover the Wildcat” event in 2012
o Partnered with the Tippecanoe County Surveyor and The Nature Conservancy to install a two-stage ditch in 2012 and co-sponsored a workshop on benefits of two-stage ditches
o Educated approximately 1,000 landowners through workshops, group/civic presentations, and the 4-H Fair in 2012
o Distributed information and 1,400 saplings at Ag Days event in 2012
o Partnered with NICHES and Tippecanoe County Parks Department to host an invasive species removal field day at the Tippecanoe Battlefield and Amphitheater in 2012
o Installed 306 acres of upland and wetland wildlife habitat in 2012
o Partnered with specific wildlife groups to install habitat to increase connectivity on an ongoing basis
o Sold 58 rain barrels in 2012 to encourage water conservation
o Promoted and sold native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and sedges to encourage water absorption in the natural landscape in 2012
o Provided Rule 5 administration on submitted Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) in 2012
o Coordinated with 38 organizations to promote Wabash Riverfest to approximately 3,500 attendees in 2012
o Partnered with WREC to conduct 165 site visits regarding urban stormwater practices, installing 132 best management practices including pervious pavers, tree planting, native plants, rain gardens, bioswales, rain barrels and a green roof.
o Partnered with various entities to identify water courses where pesticide and nutrient levels are high.
As you can see, education continues to be a high priority and we believe that it is one of the most effective ways to guarantee the wise use of our natural resources for the future. Each year, our District holds numerous education events for both adults and youth in our community. For adults, there are field days promoting practices such as cover crops, conservation tillage, equipment modifications, nutrient management, forestry and many others. Additionally, we promote cost-share opportunities that are available. For children, we participate, host or are involved in Ag Days, 4-H Soil and Water Projects, Cole Pond Day’s Amazing Race, and Make-A-Splash water education events, to name a few.
It is our role is to consider all resources, i.e., soil, water, air, plants, animals, and humans and to promote good resource management. This, plus providing detailed information about Tippecanoe County’s streams, wetlands, soils, and topography continue to be of utmost importance to encourage wise management and development of our sustainable communities, both natural and manmade.