Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
NORTH WEBSTER - The Watershed Foundation (TWF) announced the launch of Beyond Lawns: Seedling, a new grant program that provides financial and technical assistance to landowners with smaller properties — under one acre — who want to replace traditional turf grass and landscaping with native plants.
The Beyond Lawns program was originally designed to support larger properties, but strong interest from small property owners highlighted a need for a more accessible option, according to a news release from TWF. In response, TWF created Beyond Lawns: Seedling as a sister program tailored specifically for smaller yards and landscapes with the support of sponsors Village & Wilderness and KREMC. The original grant program is now called Beyond Lawns: Prairie, while Beyond Lawns: Seedling refers to new small-scale projects.
The Beyond Lawns initiative helps protect water quality and support local wildlife using native plants. Native plants can reduce polluted runoff entering lakes and streams and are well-adapted to local soil and climate conditions. Their deep root systems improve water infiltration and stabilize soil, while non-native and invasive species often have shallow roots that contribute to erosion. Invasive species also disrupt natural ecosystems by outcompeting native vegetation.
In addition to environmental benefits, converting lawns to native plantings can save landowners money and time by reducing mowing, watering and chemical application — while also enhancing the natural beauty of their property.
“We heard from many landowners who were eager to participate in Beyond Lawns but felt their property was too small,” said Caitlin Yoder, watershed coordinator at The Watershed Foundation. “The Seedling grant allows anyone — regardless of yard size — to play a role in improving water quality and creating habitat for wildlife.”
Prairie Grant Qualifications
● Property must be located in the Upper Tippecanoe Watershed.
● Property must be a cumulative 1 acre or more.
Recipients will receive 1:1 technical support from TWF Watershed Conservationists and $400 reimbursement per acre (or no more than 75% of the project cost). Application deadline: Oct. 1, 2026.
Seedling Grant Qualifications
● Property must be located in the Upper Tippecanoe River Watershed or within Kosciusko County through partnership with the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District.
● Property must be less than one acre.
Grant benefits include site visit and resources from a Beyond Lawns ambassador and $150 reimbursement (or no more than 75% of the project cost). Application deadline: June 1, 2026.
How to Apply
Visit watershedfoundation.org/our-work/implement/beyond-lawns/ for more information and apply.
Beyond Lawns Workshop
Landowners interested in lawn conversion and TWF grant opportunities are invited to attend a Beyond Lawns Workshop on Feb. 19 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The workshop will cover the basics of native landscaping, project planning and available grant assistance. Light dinner and drinks will be provided.
The workshop is free, but registration is required by Feb. 12.
This program is one of many ways The Watershed Foundation partners with local landowners to protect and improve water quality. To learn more about TWF’s conservation efforts, visit watershedfoundation.org/our-work/implement/
