Conservation Implementation

Homeowners Learn to Improve Our Water Quality

Rain gardens, rain barrels, and lake edge enhancements were just a few of the hot topics discussed at two Improving Water Quality through Backyard Conservation workshops held in southern Hamilton County this week. The 40 individuals in attendance learned how they can improve the water quality of our streams, rivers, and reservoirs, just by making some smart choices when landscaping. 

Left: Kyle Gilmore, standing, Williams Creek Management, explains what a rain garden is.

Rain gardens, small depressional flowerbeds designed to capture stormwater runoff from a residential downspout, are becoming a very popular landscape feature.  They are beautiful, low maintenance, and attract birds and butterflies.  The best part, however, is the fact that they reduce stormwater runoff into our streets, which in turn reduces the amount of pollutants entering our waterways. 

Rain barrels work much the same, by capturing and storing water to be used later for watering plants, pets, or washing the car.  Lake edge enhancements, flowers and grasses planted at the water’s edge, work well to prevent bank erosion while also filtering pollutants out of the water. 

Right: Shaena Smith, Hamilton County SWCD, far right with her back to the camera, leads a tour of Carmel West Park's bioswale.

Attendees listened to experts on the topics, viewed photos of these features, and learned the steps to creating their own environmentally-friendly backyards.  They also had the opportunity to schedule a free backyard consultation with Shaena Smith, Hamilton County’s Urban Conservationist. 

This workshop was sponsored by the Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District’s Backyard Conservation Program, which offers technical, educational, and financial assistance to homeowners who implement the conservation techniques mentioned above.  To learn more, visit www.hamiltonswcd.org.

For more information on this program, contact Shaena Smith, urban conservationist, Hamilton County SWCD.

>> Click here to find out more about Indiana's SWCDs