Clinton County’s decade-long effort to clean up the South Fork of Wildcat Creek is wrapping up with measurable improvements in water quality and soil conservation, while local officials pivot to new grants, urban conservation, and an expanded invasive plant “swap” program.
South Fork project ends with big gains
Resource conservation specialist Michelle Gilbert told WILO listeners the South Fork Wildcat work has been underway for about 10 years and covers an area that “pretty much encompasses Michigantown, Mulberry, [and] a lot of the city of Frankfort.” She said the final report shows more than 51 conservation practices installed, including nearly 5,000 acres of cover crops, 10 equipment modifications for no-till and nutrient management, and a sprayer that reduces herbicide overspray.
“We worked with 27 landowners at least,” Gilbert said, noting that several participants completed multiple projects. Two local streams, Prairie Creek and Jenkins Ditch, have been removed from Indiana’s 303(d) impaired waters list during the broader Wildcat Creek effort, reflecting improved water quality.
Gilbert said conservation practices have kept “over 6,000 tons of sediment from our local streams and ditches, 9,000 pounds of phosphorus and over 30,000 pounds of nitrogen out of our water bodies in 10 years.” She added that healthier ditches can delay costly “dip outs,” saving money for landowners who pay ditch assessments as well as the county surveyor’s office.
Clinton County Daily News did an in-depth story on the Southfork clean up in November 2024. To get more background on this clean up effort, CLICK HERE.
New grants and urban focus
District administrator Olivia Petrella said the most recent South Fork grant through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) ended January 15 after three phases of Section 319 funding. “Since we did three phases of that grant with IDEM, we are no longer eligible to continue with the South Fork,” she explained.
Petrella said the district is now “exploring different grant options,” including a possible new Clean Water Indiana (CWI) proposal and different watershed grants. Clinton County currently shares a CWI partnership with Carroll County that was awarded in 2023, providing about $18,000 to each county. “Unfortunately, that money does go really fast,” she said.
The office is also looking beyond traditional farm programs. “Our clientele is primarily ag related and we kind of wanted to show the citizens of Frankfort that we are there to also help with your backyard conservation,” Petrella said. That includes exploring urban conservation grants, invasive-species education, and on-site land assessments for city and rural residents.
Free seedlings and “break up with your burning bush”
The district will again offer a free Arbor Day tree seedling giveaway April 20–24, with seedlings available in front of the office between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. and a limit of five per household through Wednesday. Petrella noted that on Monday, April 20, distribution will start at noon to allow time for pickup from the nursery. Available species this year include white pine, river birch, white oak, ninebark, buttonbush, and swamp white oak.
“Usually our white pine is the first to go,” Petrella said, recommending residents come Monday afternoon or Tuesday morning if they want that species. Quantities and species updates will be posted on the district’s Facebook page so residents know what is still available.
Gilbert and Petrella also promoted a plant-swap and reimbursement program aimed at getting invasive landscaping out of local yards. “Don’t feel bad for that burning bush,” Gilbert said with a laugh. “Break up with your burning bush.” In many cases, residents who remove burning bush, Bradford or Callery pear and similar invasives can receive a free native shrub or tree as a replacement.
Battling invasives on trails and in neighborhoods
Petrella said she has been consulting with neighboring counties such as Boone, Tippecanoe, Hamilton and Hendricks about urban invasive programs, “weed wrangle” volunteer events and workshop ideas. Weed wrangles, she explained, are organized invasive-plant pulls coordinated through the state’s invasive cooperative management network, often held in parks and along trails.
She plans to assist at a Boone County weed wrangle this weekend and said Boone has offered to help Clinton County address invasive plants along the Big Four Trail near Colfax. While some listeners asked about invasive insects and wildlife, Petrella said current efforts focus on vegetation. “Right now it’s just vegetative,” she said, citing burning bush, Bradford and Callery pear, Japanese barberry, non-native honeysuckles and popular fountain grasses as frequent problem plants.
The district also continues to survey local landscaping to better understand the scope and potential cost of invasive removal and replacement. In a small area alone, Petrella said, they counted about 150 burning bushes. “It is definitely a long project,” she said, adding that accurate numbers will help the district make its case for future grants and inform local decision-makers.
Residents interested in free seedlings, native seed giveaways, the plant-swap program or on-site assessments can contact the Clinton County Soil and Water Conservation District by phone, website or email.
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WILO and Hoosierland TV Hosts Melissa Miller and Adam Shanks interviewed leaders in Indiana Agriculture from 9:30 AM to 2 PM March 18, 2026.
Skiles Electric presented Ag Day 2026 with support from Wampler’s Services Inc., The Farmers Bank, The Community Foundation, Rossville Consolidated School, and First Farmers Bank and Trust.
Broadcast on Hoosierland TV was produced by Michael Hall. Broadcast on WILO 96.9, Boone 102.7 FM and WILO 1570 was produced by Dacen Brittain.
