Invasive Species Trade In Program
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The Hamilton County Invasives Partnership and Hamilton County Soil and Water Conservation District are offering an invasive species trade in program. Property owners who show proof of removal of an invasive species on their Hamilton County property are eligible to receive at least one free native tree/shrub specimen through the SWCD fall native tree sale.
Program guidelines: Invasive species must be properly identified, removed, and disposed of by the homeowner. Landscape plantings of callery pear species (bradford, Cleveland, etc.), burning bush, Japanese barberry, and Norway Maple are the preferred species for removal but you can apply when removing other invasive species listed on the Official Indiana Invasive Species Council Invasive Plant List. HIP and the SWCD reserve the right to change the program guidelines and requirements at any time. How to participate: Review the application form and FAQ below and complete your invasive species removal work. Collect the required documentation (photos, etc.) and submit the application by the August 31st, 2026 deadline. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and you will receive notification of provisional approval (or denial) within three weeks of your application being submitted. All provisionally approved applicants are guaranteed at least $30 in credit to be used toward purchasing any native plant in our fall native sale. Final award notifications and coupon codes will be sent via email to approved applicants between September 1st and 4th. Coupons must be used in our online store by the fall native sale ordering deadline of September 17th. Orders can be picked up in Noblesville on Thursday, October 1st between 11am and 6pm or Friday, October 2nd between 10am and 1pm. The discount cannot be applied to previous orders and is not redeemable for cash. It can only be used in our fall native sale toward the purchase of native trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants. Your species selection/order is final, no changes can be made after your order is submitted. Please be sure your application is complete and accurate as we will not follow up for clarifications or to request additional information. Native for Invasive Trade in Application |
Our trade in program was featured in the national Science Friday Tiny Nature Triumph newsletter. Read the feature here. 
Not sure how to identify or control invasive species? See our education and control resource pages for help. You can also contact Jacob Luken at [email protected] or 317-773-2181. FAQ: I already removed invasives, can I still apply? Yes, you can submit an application for invasives that were managed anytime in 2026 but you must be able to show evidence of the removal and species identification. This could be a before photo (google maps/streetview, background of family photo, etc.) and an after photo that shows the same area with the invasive gone. If we can't confirm the species ID, we cannot approve your application. How many free plants can I get? Awards are $30, $60, or $90 credits for use in our online store toward purchases in our fall native sale. You can use your coupon on trees, shrubs, or herbaceous plants. Your credit amount will be based on the # of invasives you removed/square footage cleared, the species removed, and the program budget. Invasives removed from landscape settings are favored. All applicants who meet the guidelines should expect to receive at least $30 in credit. What species are available? We typically have 45-50 different native trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plant species available in our tree sale. How many times can I apply each year? Applications are limited to one per address per year. Do I have to do the work myself? No, you can hire out contractors to remove invasives. We just need the photographic proof of removal. How do I identify invasive species? How do I manage invasives? Visit these pages: HIP Education page SICIM Landowner Toolkit SICIM Control + Management Contact us at [email protected] Can I order other trees/shrubs from the sale or see what is available? Sure! Feel free to purchase additional plants when claiming your free plants. You can see the availability here. I already ordered trees, can I apply my coupon code to what I already ordered? No, this is not possible. I don't live in Hamilton County, can I participate? Is there a swap in my county? This program is for Hamilton County property owners only. You can find a list of invasive species management groups across the state here and a list of Soil and Water Conservation Districts here-- check with these groups to see what is available in your area. I am removing a mature invasive tree, can I get a larger replacement? The only replacements we have to offer through this program are 3 gallon trees and shrubs and 1 gallon herbaceous plant specimens from our fall native sale selections. Questions? Email [email protected] |