TWF Awarded Clean Water Indiana Grant

 Our watershed is getting a boost, and you can get involved!

A new $144,300 grant is bringing more water quality projects to our community, protecting the land and lakes we all love!

The Watershed Foundation, in partnership with the Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD), has been awarded a Clean Water Indiana (CWI) grant. This funding will support three programs open to lake residents, landowners, and agricultural operators across the watershed.

Healthy Shorelines

Healthy Shorelines offers grants to homeowners to stabilize eroding shorelines. This funding will support the stabilization of 750 linear feet of shoreline, keeping an estimated 50 tons of sediment out of local waterways.

Applications are available online and are due August 1, 2026.

Beyond Lawns

Beyond Lawns supports homeowners, organizations, and businesses as they incorporate native plants on their properties to increase water infiltration and reduce runoff.

“We are excited to expand Beyond Lawns to areas farther downstream through our partnership with the Kosciusko County Soil & Water Conservation District,” said Caitlin Yoder, TWF’s Watershed Coordinator.

Applications for properties under one acre are due June 1; properties over one acre should apply by October 1.

Healthy Soils, Clean Water

Healthy Soils, Clean Water is facilitated by TWF’s watershed conservationists on an ongoing basis and focuses on agricultural landowners and farm operators. Through this grant, TWF provides up to 75% cost-share reimbursement for cover crops on 2,000 acres, as well as other conservation agriculture practices.

This grant isn’t just an organizational win. It’s a win for everyone who enjoys local lakes.

In accordance with the grant, The Watershed Foundation has measurable annual pollution-reduction goals for our watershed:

• 6,016 tons of sediment to be prevented from entering our lakes per year

• 11,593 lbs of nitrogen to be prevented from entering our lakes per year

• 5,785 pounds of phosphorus to be prevented from entering our lakes per year

One pound of phosphorus can grow up to 10,000 pounds of wet weeds and algae.

With this funding, TWF will continue implementing conservation projects across the Upper Tippecanoe River watershed—protecting 236 square miles of land and lakes.

For more information about conservation programs or to apply, contact The Watershed Foundation at watershed@watershedfoundation.org