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The Jennings County Soil and Water Conservation District is a major player in a new park at North Vernon, Ind.

Tom J Bechman 1, Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

March 21, 2019

3 Min Read
controlled burn
FRESH START: This controlled burn of the pollinator plot area at the new Tripton Park in North Vernon, Ind., will allow various pollinator plants and grasses to regrow in 2019.

One minute there was dead residue covering the area where pollinator plants will soon grow and show off their beauty to Jennings County, Ind., residents. A few minutes later, after fire had passed through the 6-acre pollinator site, there was just black, burned residue. But it’s only temporary. Andy Ertel says pollinator plants and grasses will be back this spring.

“Our soil and water conservation district began promoting pollinator plantings a few years ago,” explains Ertel, executive director of the Jennings County SWCD. “Through various grants and programs, we’ve had great participation. Many farmers have devoted acreage to these plantings, and there are also plantings at schools and other locations around the city.”

Jenny Vogel, district conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service serving Jennings County, says pollinator plantings help restore natural vegetation, and provide an environment where honeybees and other pollinators can flourish.

Kelly Kent, another Jennings County SWCD employee, was instrumental in establishing a pollinator planting demonstration area at the county fairgrounds. The main purpose there was to help educate the public as to what pollinator plants look like and why they are valuable.

Park project

Within the past couple of years, the Jennings County SWCD became a major driver in turning an abandoned golf course in North Vernon into a city park. The SWCD formed a partnership agreement with the city council, mayor and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to provide native seed for planting on a 6-acre pollinator site at the park. The SWCD was heavily involved in guiding planting of the site, plus development of educational signs to let the public know what the pollinator project is all about.

Late last year, the North Vernon Fire Department assisted with a controlled burn of old growth on the pollinator site. The district was involved with the controlled burn project, as well.

“When new growth comes back, it will be more vibrant,” Ertel says. “Burning gets rid of brush and things you don’t want which sometimes show up until the pollinator area is well-established.”

While the 6-acre pollinator area is a major feature of the park and will be open for people to walk through and observe nature at work, it’s by no means the only attraction at the new park. The SWCD was also active in overseeing construction of a pond and made recommendations for stocking it with fish. The district also recommended which types of trees and shrubs should be planted on the property.

One unusual duty was locating and identifying sinkholes that existed on the property, Vogel says. The SWCD also played a big role in advising how to cap off the sinkholes.

Tripton Park won’t be complete until 2020, officials note. However, it’s scheduled to open for some activities this summer. Officials believe it will become a popular site for picnics, hiking, walking and many other activities.

Bob Ertel retired from Cummins and chairs the Tripton Park Planning Group. He asked his brother Andy to be part of the planning committee. “I didn’t know the SWCD provided so many services,” Bob says. Bob was recognized as the 2018 Friend of Conservation by the Jennings County SWCD at its annual meeting earlier this year.   

About the Author(s)

Tom J Bechman 1

Editor, Indiana Prairie Farmer

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