Starke County Soil & Water Conservation District

06/09/2026

06/09/2026

If this plant is growing in your yard, ditch, or along your fence line, don't ignore it.

Poison hemlock is one of the most common invasive plants along roadways, and this time of year it's hard to miss with its tall stems and clusters of white flowers. The problem? It spreads quickly, crowds out native plants, and is very toxic.

Knowing how to identify poison hemlock is the first step to protecting your family, pets, and local ecosystems. Check out this week's Invasive Plant of the Week graphic to learn what to look for and help stop its spread before it produces thousands of seeds.

Have you spotted poison hemlock in your neighborhood this year? Let us know in the comments!

For more information on invasive species please visit sicim.info

06/05/2026

Tomorrow is National Trails Day! 🥾🌱 Join a hiking event at an Indiana state park, revisit your favorite trail, or explore somewhere new – whatever adventure you choose, enjoy some time in Indiana’s special outdoors and remember to leave no trace.

Find an event or a property near you at in.gov/dnr/places-to-go/

06/05/2026

06/03/2026

Wild Ones South Bend has published this region-specific native plant guide! It's a great resource that includes informative articles, native plants by county map and 120 plant entries with comprehensive tables/guides!

Starke County SWCD is a proud retailer of these books! Stop by our office to get your copy for only $10!

*Cash or check only
*We can ship for an additional fee

06/01/2026

Congratulations to four SWCD/ICP staff members from the North-Northwest Region for successfully completing the requirements and earning their Certificate in Watershed Management through Purdue University's Watershed Leadership Academy!

Pictured left to right:

Heather Nally (Benton County Soil & Water Conservation District ) Ashley Heims (Starke County SWCD), Laura Floyd (Newton County Soil and Water Conservation District) & Courtney McFall (Indiana State Department of Agriculture)

06/01/2026

I don’t panic at every bug I see right away anymore! 💜 A few quick checks I use before deciding what stays:
🐞 Look at the shape first. Some helpful bugs look a lot like pests at a quick glance.
🌿 Spined soldier bugs are garden helpers because they go after caterpillars and other soft-bodied pests.
🚫 Brown marmorated stink bugs are the ones I don’t want hanging around my tomatoes, peppers, fruit, or beans.
👀 The fastest clue is usually the shoulders or antennae. Pointed shoulders are a good sign, banded antennae are a warning.
🍅 If the bug is feeding on pests instead of your plants, I leave it alone.
Learning the difference saves the good bugs and helps the garden balance itself a little better.

05/28/2026

Last days to save a seat! This is a great opportunity for folks who work during the day, but need to know more about managing their woodland. Email us at [email protected] or call
219-462-7515 ext. 3.