Vanderburgh County Soil Water Conservation District
 Participant Agreement- Native Plants 

Backyard Conservation Program

The Backyard Conservation Program is an incentive program intended to assist with the expenses to property owners for implementing of backyard conservation practices that benefit water quality and wildlife habitat on non-agricultural private land, that are not eligible for programs offered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The goal of this program is to help property owners practice better environmental stewardship by providing financial assistance for the implementation of conservation practices that would otherwise not be implemented without financial assistance.

The expectation of the Vanderburgh County Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors (hereinafter referred to as the SWCD) is that Participants in the Backyard Conservation Program are responsible for the conservation of natural resources under their management.  Thus, Participants should be actively engaged in the conservation planning process and contribute financially to conservation practice implementation.  Long-term operation and maintenance of conservation practices is the responsibility of the Participant.  

All property owners within Vanderburgh County are eligible for Backyard Conservation Program. All applicants must sign a Participant Agreement between the SWCD and the Property owner in order to be considered for Cost Sharing and Rebate. Conservation practices installed with Cost Share funds must be in place for a minimum of three (3) years. Each Backyard Conservation Program application will be evaluated using the Backyard Conservation Program’s Criteria and Requirements for Cost-Sharing. Each practice has a pre-determined SWCD maximum funding limit that shall not be exceeded in any one conservation project.  Furthermore, maximum cost-share rates approved by the SWCD for these practices shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost of materials in a project.

The following are not eligible for Cost Sharing: Practices required as a result of a court order; Practices required for compliance with local zoning and or building codes or permits; Practices required by mitigation. All Backyard Conservation Program funds are on a first come first serve basis. No consideration of race, gender, religion, political affiliation, working or volunteer positions will be made during the application process.

Project goals: Native plants are the basis for establishing and maintaining wildlife habitat and naturally occurring ecosystems while enhancing the beauty of yards and neighborhoods. Native Plants are more tolerant of the Southern Indiana climate and soil conditions as they provide valuable habitat for birds, butterflies, and many beneficial insects. Indigenous plants are a significant part of a region’s geographic make up and will survive under a variety of environmental situations. Natives Plants are drought and disease resistant. Native Plants can also be used for erosion control and as ground cover. Native Plants are excellent alternatives to other often invasive plant species for gardening.

I wish to cooperate with the Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District Backyard Conservation Program in achieving soil and water conservation in my community.  I am asking for assistance in planning needed land use changes and in applying and maintaining the practices needed on my land. The Vanderburgh County Soil & Water Conservation District is in no way liable for any design or installation work of the Native Planting at installation time or in the future. This agreement will be for a period of three (3) years following signature by both parties and only terminated by either party by written notice. The property owner is responsible for maintenance of the site for the lifetime of this agreement.  The property owner also agrees to allow the SWCD to photograph and publicize the project for the duration of the agreement for education and promotion.

Site located at: _____________________________________________________________________

Site description: ____________________________________________________________________

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Owner Name: ______________________________________________________________________

Address: __________________________________________________________________________

Phone:  ___________________________________________________________________________

Email: ____________________________________________________________________________

Owner Sign:  ___________________________________________ Date:  ______________________

SWCD Supervisor Sign:  __________________________________ Date:  ______________________