We are proud to announce the receipt of a substantial grant for our Indiana Forests to Faucets: Native Landscapes for Clean Water project. This funding, awarded by the U.S. Forest Service’s Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) program for the Northeast and Midwest, includes $213,336 in federal funds, matched by $213,354 in non-federal contributions. The total funds will support three vital conservation projects in the Lake Monroe watershed area, located in the heart of the Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape.
The forest ecosystem surrounding Lake Monroe is essential for maintaining the water quality of the lake, the sole source of municipal drinking water for nearly 130,000 customers in Bloomington, IN. The Indiana Forests to Faucets project aims to preserve and enhance watershed function through several initiatives, including invasive plant mitigation, planting native trees, educating the public, and providing technical assistance to private landowners.
Over the course of three years, the project will involve on-the-ground invasive plant mitigation on public land, primarily in Yellowwood State Forest, conducted by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Additionally, the Town of Nashville will benefit from community outreach efforts, invasive tree removal from town property and rights of way, and the replacement of those trees with native species. Private landowners will receive technical assistance from a grant-funded position overseen by SICIM (State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management) and hosted by the Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District office.
Expected outcomes of the project include improved watershed function through
invasive plant mitigation on 20,000 acres,
the provision of 120 native trees and 12,000 native seedlings,
engagement with 25 private landowners impacting 250 acres, and the
utilization of over 800 volunteer hours for invasive Weed Wrangles®, public outreach, and tree planting and care.
The grant agreement is currently being processed, with the project anticipated to begin in early 2025.
Project Sub-Awardees:
Indiana Department of Natural Resources – Division of Forestry
Town of Nashville
SICIM (State of Indiana Cooperative Invasives Management)
Other Project Supporters:
Brown County Soil and Water Conservation District, providing match
The Nature Conservancy in Indiana, providing match
Southern Indiana Sentinel Landscape
Central Hardwoods Joint Venture
Let the Sun Shine In – Indiana
MC-IRIS (Monroe County Identify and Reduce Invasive Species)
