Boone County Soil and Water Conservation District

12/15/2025

Meet the team!!

Today's highlight is Emma Bodnarick, RITA tech 8 serving, Boone, Hendricks, Putnam, Morgan, Owen and Brown counties!

Emma grew up in Putnam County and now lives in Indianapolis. She has a degree in Geography from Indiana University. After graduating, she worked in ecological restoration before joining Resilient Indiana in June 2024. Emma is one of our mentor techs!! She is passionate about finding and implementing strategies to reduce human impact on our environment and is a Master Naturalist!!


Indiana Association of Soil and Water Conservation Districts

12/15/2025

Boone County Soil and Water would love your input. We are looking to roll out a Invasive tree removal cost share program in 2026. Before this program gains roots we would like to see how much interest their is in the county.

Please take a moment and show your support by filling out this quick one minute survey.

https://forms.gle/QW7NA1sySBRi7quZ7

The invasive targets are the Bradford Pear and the Tree of Heaven.

The Bradford Pear grow quickly and tolerate a wide variety of planting locations and conditions, which led to the widespread use as both street and ornamental trees in urban plantings. Due to the extensive use of these trees over the past 7 decades though, removals can lead to a large loss of existing canopy, especially with mature trees. This loss is worth negating the ecological damage they cause and with patience can be replaced with more appropriate species.

The Tree of Heaven is a problem because it reproduces very quickly and aggressively inhibits (and can even kill) native plants near it. This invasive plant produces an overly abundant amount of seeds, crowds out native species with its dense thickets and secretes a chemical into the soil that is toxic to surrounding plants. The tree of Heaven is also a host species for the invasive Spotted Lantern Fly which is considered a nuisance pest in urban and suburban areas and a devastating crop pest in vineyards.

11/21/2025

Program details and list of activities for online registration.

11/12/2025

Great program to check out!

The next ReportINvasive program will take place on Thursday, November 19th, at 6pm EST. It will be about the biology and management of the invasive tree-of-heaven.

11/05/2025

⚠️SPOTTED LANTERN FLY SPOTTED IN BOONE COUNTY⚠️

These Planthoppers native to China are an invasive species that need to be handled while populations are low. Since they have no natural predators their populations are expected to explode over the coming years. Spotted lanternfly’s cause damage by sucking up sap with the waste product of their diet encouraging fungal disease. This species is damaging to fruit trees, hardwood trees, ornamental plants, vining species, and crops.

If you see this species please report photos, note of location and date, and details. Email [email protected] or call 866-NO-EXOTIC.

The host species of this insect is the invasive tree of heaven. If you need help removing/controlling/ or Id help please contact Boone County Invasives Cooperative for help managing these pests.

09/26/2025

Looking for a fun family safe time this fall? This is the spot to go!

09/22/2025

Boone County Soil and Water is excited to partner with other nonprofits on a mission to Beautify Boone. These projects seek to preserve and enhance Boone County, fostering sustainability, environmental education, and a shared commitment to stewardship. All done through a multitude of events throughout Boone County. I look forward to giving updates in the future.


Master Gardeners of Boone County Indiana Boone County Invasives CooperativeBoone County Solid Waste Management District

09/12/2025

SEPTIC MAINTENANCE WORKSHOP UPDATE: The event has been changed to online only!

💧We are holding a Septic Workshop on September 18th 6 PM💧
Please join us! Learn more about septic tanks and why it's important for our water quality to keep up on septic maintenance.

🗞 The Event will be online ONLY. Please RSVP for link to the Zoom 🗞

📆RSVP to the Purdue Extension-Boone County Office at
765-482-0750 or email [email protected].

09/02/2025

The Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) and partners throughout the state have worked with the Gulf Hypoxia Program to develop a soil sampling program. This program focuses on increasing the knowledge and use of soil sampling as a nutrient management practice to benefit on-farm operations. This program includes the sampling of row crop, pasture, hay, and specialty crop production systems located within the Mississippi River Basin. This program excludes personal or hobby gardens and private
lawns.

Registration will be open for the fall round of registration starting on Tuesday, September 2, 2025 and will go until Friday, October 17, 2025, or until capacity is reached.

Interested individuals can reach out to Ophelia Norman (Nutrient Stewardship Program Manager) at [email protected]. For more information please visit the ISDA website
(https://www.in.gov/isda/divisions/soil-conservation/indiana-soil-sampling-program/ ) or reach
out to your local ISDA Resource Specialist for program participation.

08/26/2025

🌳NEW PROGRAM FOR BOONE COUNTY RESIDENTS!🌱

The Boone County Soil & Water Conservation District and the Boone County Invasives Cooperative are teaming up to help you swap out invasives for beautiful natives!

Here’s how it works:
- Remove invasive plants from your property.
- Submit proof using the QR code provided.
- Receive a FREE native replacement plant – choose from Tulip Poplar, Serviceberry, Spicebush, or Leadplant!

🌻 Don’t wait – supplies are limited! This program runs until October 11th OR until we run out of plants.

Let’s work together to restore biodiversity and keep Boone County thriving with natives!

08/20/2025

Join us for spectacular evening enjoying and learning more about moths. 🌙

Moth specialist Jeanette Jaskula will be identifying moths live at the event. If you are interested in these lesser known pollinators please reach out to Emma Bodnarick [email protected] to register or Use this link to sign up: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSewoeZYpXSCAXiq5sf99yfxajeOV5qihmWBGeXk8C93BVI2QQ/viewform 🌕

This event is kid friendly please do not forget to register your children as well! Free Smores and Hotdogs around a campfire will be included 🧚‍♂️

08/20/2025

Farmers of Boone County please think about attending this event hosted by our neighboring counties! This is a great opportunity!

We have a field day coming up with Hamilton county.