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Soil & Water Conservation District cites $130,000 watershed grant, highlights education and community garden
Summary
Fayda Mclellan, executive director of the county Soil & Water Conservation District, told commissioners the district has $130,000 in cost‑share funds for the Muscatatuck River Watershed (about $80,000 already allocated) and outlined public education events, a new community garden and training programs.
Fayda Mclellan, executive director of the Soil & Water Conservation District, told the Jennings County council the district is implementing a federally funded watershed grant covering the Muscatatuck River Watershed and has been allotted $130,000 in cost‑share funds, of which about $80,000 has been allocated so far. “I want to show you how far we are working to educate our residents and to show that we are identifying local resource concerns and how we are taking action to minimize those concerns,” she said.
Why it matters: The grant and related programming direct federal and local resources to conservation practices affecting the county’s southern watershed and provide funded services for residents and schools. The district described outreach at the county fair, invasive‑species and urban‑soil exhibits, field days for elementary students, and a free chainsaw‑safety class scheduled for Aug. 19.
Details: Mclellan said the watershed program has distributed cost‑share allocations to residents and is seeking additional EPA funding as applications increase. The district has created a community garden at the county park and plans hands‑on workshops (raised‑bed building, season extension techniques, and vegetable/trellis training). Mclellan also described partnerships with an animal sanctuary for an evening on reptiles and with other counties that have asked how to replicate the exhibits.
Budget note: Commissioners asked about a line‑item discrepancy in the district’s proposed budget; staff and Mclellan clarified an apparent $35,000 figure was not the intended request and agreed the council would correct the line in the budget book.
Next steps: The district asked the council to continue funding and to consider the district’s appeals for additional EPA funds as the program grows. Mclellan invited commissioners to attend monthly board meetings (fourth Tuesday) and upcoming workshops.
