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 fourth 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 2013, the Tippecanoe SWCD:  
o Conducted site visits with landowners promoting conservation systems on ongoing basis
o Hosted a no-till workshops in 2013 partnering w/Greater Wabash River RC&D
o Performed annual tillage transect in 2013
o Partnered with various entities identifying water courses with high pesticide and nutrient levels to create a comprehensive map of practices that aid in water quality improvements
o Provided technical assistance to the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation with installation of bioreactors and a grassed waterway in 2013
o Hosted a Bioreactor Field Day in 2013
o Installed 3,705 acres of cover crops in 2013
o Hosted no-till/cover crop workshop in 2013 partnering w/Greater Wabash River RC&D and the Midwest Cover Crop Council
o Hosted Cover Crop Demonstration Workshop @ Verhey Farms in 2013
o Clean Water Indiana Cover Crop Demonstration Area established and managed 2011-2013
o Currently developing inventory of acres utilizing cover crops in rotation, including and defining highest nutrient loading areas.
o Improved working relationships through SWCD representation with Tippecanoe County Surveyors Office
o Developed a Residential Guide for Soils, Drainage & Erosion Control in 2013 about streambank stabilization and other conservation best management practices
o Encouraged buffer installation as part of a conservation system on an ongoing basis
o Installed 124 acres of buffers 2010-2013
o Display at Greater Lafayette Home and Garden Show 2013 encouraging use of phosphorus free fertilizer
o Hosted/Participated in Invasive Plant Workdays in 2013
o Educated approximately 1,300 landowners through workshops, group/civic presentations, and the 4-H Fair in 2013
o Distributed information and 1,800 saplings at Ag Days event in 2013
o Invasive species control recommendations and pollinator habitat planning
o Partnered with specific wildlife groups to install habitat to increase connectivity on an ongoing basis
o Promoted and sold native trees, shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and sedges to encourage water absorption in the natural landscape in 2013
o Provided Rule 5 administration on submitted Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) in 2013
o Coordinated with 38 organizations to promote Wabash Riverfest to approximately 3,500 attendees in 2013
o Partnered with WREC to conduct 84 site visits regarding urban stormwater practices, installing 229 best management practices including 7.5 acres of pervious pavement, 4 bioswales, 2 stormwater retrofits, 103 urban trees planted, 16 rain gardens, and 104 rain barrels in 2013
o Partnered with WREC, Lafayette, Purdue University and Tippecanoe County for the installation of the Cary Home rain garden
o Partnered with Greater Wabash River RC&D and WREC in the collection of water quality data in the Wildcat Creek Watershed in the spring and fall of 2013
o Consulted with City of Lafayette for native plantings along Veteran’s Memorial Parkway in 2013
o Assisted in the creation of a rain barrel installation video
o Partnered with WREC, Lafayette & W. Lafayette to implement “Paint the Rain” rain barrel education program and gala
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 (see photo), 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.