COnservation cost-share Program
Cover Crops (including equipment modifications)
Conservation Tillage (including equipment modifications)
Nutrient Management (including equipment modifications)
Riparian Forest Buffer or Riparian Herbaceous Cover
Filter Strip or Field Border
Conservation Cover
Grassed Waterways
Water and Sediment Control Basin
Wetland Restoration, Creation, or Enhancement
Friends of Lake Monroe Can Help You Save Soil And Protect Streams
Friends of Lake Monroe has funding available for the implementation of Best Management Practices (BMPs) that reduce erosion and water pollution. This funding is available to landowners in the Lake Monroe watershed, which spans portions of Monroe, Brown, and Jackson Counties. The project is part of our larger efforts to implement the 2022 Lake Monroe Watershed Management Plan. There are many best management practices that can be implemented. Most will be funded at 75% of the total cost (the landowner pays 25%) with a contract limit of $10,000.00 for each participant.
Livestock Exclusion Fencing (to protect water bodies) and associated alternate water source development
Heavy Use Area Protection
Critical Area Planting
Forage and Biomass Planting
Roof Runoff Structure
Compost Facility
Stream Crossings
Tree Planting
Forest Trails and Landings (for forested sites with active erosion)
To Obtain Funding, Projects Must Meet the Following Requirements
Properties must be located within the Lake Monroe watershed. (Interactive map of Lake Monroe watershed)
Projects must address resource concerns by reducing sediment, nutrient, or fecal contamination entering nearby water bodies.
Projects must be approved by the Lake Monroe Cost-Share Program Advisory Committee prior to project installation.
Applications will be reviewed quarterly (application due dates September 1, December 1, March 1, June 1) while funds are available.
How Our Program Works
Friends of Lake Monroe, in partnership with the Monroe County, Brown County, and Jackson County Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD), will provide landowner assistance and consultation free of charge. Contact Lake Monroe Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan (watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org, 812-558-0217) or your local SWCD to discuss your project and learn more about the program.
Our Watershed Coordinator will meet with you to review your project and help you complete the program application. This will include developing a cost estimate, obtaining site plans and photographs, and determining any additional needs to process your application. All projects will be scored based on subwatershed location; proximity to a water body; and potential for reducing sediment, E.coli, and nutrient pollution.
Completed applications will be reviewed quarterly (submission deadlines are September 1, December 1, March 1, and June 1). Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision within one month.
If you’re a landowner in the Lake Monroe Watershed, we encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. We are excited to support you in getting projects installed. Please contact Maggie Sullivan at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org or 812-558-0217 to get started.
Associated Events
Agricultural field days
Forestry best management practice training
Septic system maintenance workshops
Lake Monroe boat tours
Shoreline cleanups at Paynetown State Recreation Area
earn more on our Events page, sign up for our Newsletter,
or follow us on Facebook.
Quarterly Updates
Friends of Lake Monroe will provide regular project updates through its newsletter, public meetings, and on its blog. Quarterly updates will be posted in February, May, August, and November of 2023 and 2024 with a final report posted in May 2025.
Contact Info
Want to learn more about the Lake Monroe Watershed Conservation Cost-Share Program? Please reach out to
watershed coordinator , Maggie Sullivan at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org or 812-558-0217.