(La Porte County, IN) - The LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District has received top honors for being friendly to Mother Nature.

 

The district was among eight Indiana organizations to receive the 2026 Governor’s Award for Environmental Excellence.  Specifically, the district was commended for its Native Habitat for Pollinators Establishment Program established in 2023.

 

Officials said the program met its 50-acre goal by creating diverse native pollinator habitats across 10 sites in nine sub-watersheds spanning the Lake Michigan and Kankakee basins.

 

The program transforms degraded and invasive-dominated areas into biodiverse plantings featuring grasses, forbs, and shrubs native to Northwest Indiana’s coastal region.

 

The awards are reserved for the most innovative, sustainable, and exemplary programs or projects that positively impact Indiana’s environment and demonstrate measurable environmental, economic, and social benefits.

“This year’s winners represent some of the most innovative, forward thinking work happening today, improving quality of life for communities across our state,” said Governor Mike Braun.