OCEAN COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT Conservation Conversation

OCSCD Staff Wish You and

Your Family a Joyful Holiday Season!

We equip the community with knowledge needed to understand and care for our watershed.

We regulate soil disturbance to protect our landscapes and waterways.

We inspire stewardship to preserve the health of our soil, water and natural resources.

OCSCD's 2025 Annual Report

As we reflect on another year of meaningful progress in protecting Ocean County's natural resources, we are proud to present the 2025 Annual Report. OCSCD's many accomplishments reflect the dedication of our staff, the steadfast support of our Board of Supervisors, and the valued partnerships we maintain with agencies, organizations, municipalities, and community leaders throughout the region. Together, we continue to advance a shared vision of healthy soil and water resources for all who live, work, and recreate in Ocean County. ~Christine Raabe, Director

2026 Local Working Group

Join the Ocean County Soil Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service for our 2026 Local Working Group on Tuesday, February 24, 4:00pm-6:00pm, Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, NJ 08755. We request your participation in our 2026 Local Working Group to identify important natural resource issues, concerns, and opportunities in Ocean County. Your input will help direct technical and financial resources for locally led conservation programs, initiatives and efforts. A 2026 Report of Findings will be provided to all participants. We hope you will join us. Additional Local Working Group information can be found in the USDA-NRCS Local Working Groups Fact Sheet. Registration is required. *Read about our 2025 Local Working Group. For more information, please contact Becky Laboy, education@soildistrict.org.

Registration is Opening in January!

Teacher Professional Development

April 22, 2026

Join us on Wednesday, April 22, 3:00pm-8:00pm, at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown for our 29th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable!

This year’s theme, Earth Day: Past, Present, Future, invites us to reflect on the history of Earth Day, consider today’s challenges, and look ahead to the role we all play in empowering the next generation of environmental stewards. The event will feature engaging workshops, inspiring exhibitors, and a thought-provoking keynote. For more information, please visit our website, or contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, education@soildistrict.org.

New Jersey Envirothon - May 9, 2026

Calling all NJ High Schools!

If you're a teacher or high school student passionate about the world around you, the 2026 New Jersey Envirothon is for you! This annual event invites high school teams statewide to compete in hands-on environmental challenges covering conservation, natural resources and sustainability. Teams are tested on soil, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and current issues. The 2026 theme is "Non-Point Source Pollution: It begins at home!", which highlights how daily choices contribute to pollution, and it stresses individual responsibility. Students will examine causes of non-point source pollution in urban and rural areas and learn about solutions for their communities and watersheds. The event will take place on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, Waretown. Registration for high school teams is now open. OCSCD is offering a grant to offset the cost of the registration fee to the first 5 Ocean County high schools to register. Please contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, OCSCD, for more information about this grant. Please visit www.njenvirothon.org for more information about this event. Read the NJ Envirothon Press Release.

In 2025 Ocean County Soil Conservation District celebrates our 73rd year. We remain committed to building and sustaining a conservation legacy by working with our partners and constituents to conserve, protect and restore our soil, water and natural resources by providing technical assistance, implementing restoration projects, and most importantly through education.