OCEAN COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT Conservation Conversation | | 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. | | |
Last Chance to Register!
28th Annual Barnegat Bay
Environmental Educators Roundtable
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
3:00pm - 8:00pm
| | Spring is here and we are kicking-off the season with our 28th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable, on Wednesday, April 16, 3:00pm-8:00pm. | | Join us at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, Waretown, and step outside for hands-on field experiences, outdoor fun and valuable educational opportunities. Explore local natural resources and bring real-world environmental learning into your classroom. Each year environmental organizations, agencies and groups from around the watershed come together to provide this much anticipated Teachers Professional Development event. This year's theme is: Caring for Our Precious Natural Resources: Considering Conservation, Climate and Community. The Environmental Educators Roundtable features an Open House, Light Dinner, Workshops, Field Experiences, Keynote, Dessert and Door Prizes. The registration fee is $35 per person, all inclusive. Visit our website for more information and to view past Environmental Educators Roundtable events, or contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, OCSCD, (609) 991-1534. | | |
2025 New Jersey Envirothon
High School Environmental Competition
Last Chance to Register Your Team!
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Calling all high school students and their advisors... this is your last chance to register your team for the 2025 New Jersey Envirothon. Registration closes on Friday, April 4.
The NJ Envirothon is a statewide competition that challenges high school students to test their knowledge on environmental topics including soils, land use, wildlife, aquatic ecology and current environmental issues. The competition incorporates STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles, experiential learning and hands-on outdoor field experiences. The winning team advances to the national competition.
Ocean County Soil Conservation District is offering a $100 grant to the first 5 Ocean County schools to register for the 2025 NJ Envirothon. For more details, please visit the NJ Envirothon Team Grants webpage. Print the 2025 brochure to share with school administrators and others who may be interested in registering their school to participate.
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NJ Conservation Poster Contest for Kids
Congratulations to our Grand Champion Winner!
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Congratulations to our NJ Conservation Poster Contest Grand Champion Winner, Victoria Clayton of New Egypt, NJ, grade 11. Ms. Clayton will be awarded a $50 cash prize from Ocean County Soil Conservation District and her poster will be submitted to the NJ Statewide Competition where she will compete for more cash prizes. This year's Poster Contest theme is "Home Is Where the Habitat Is". Victoria's poster depicts "...a design with multiple layers (wildflowers, home and sky) to show that even thought these parts of the environment are separate, they all work together in important way to create functioning habitat." Visit OCSCD's website for more information about the NJ Conservation Poster Contest.
| | Kean-Ocean Students Learn About Soil Conservation and Stormwater Basins | | OCSCD's Senior Erosion Control Specialist Brittany Moore and Inspector 1 Ben Hayden, along with soil health expert Eileen Miller, Habitat Coordinator for the South Jersey Resource Conservation & Development Council (SJRC&D) provided their knowledge and expertise in soil conservation practices to students enrolled in Kean University's Principles of Environmental Soil Science course. Read more about this story on OCSCD's Blog. | | New Jersey Conservation Partnership Congressional Report 2025 | | |
Ines Zimmerman, Executive Director of NJ Association of Conservation Districts (NJACD), represented New Jersey at the National Association of Conservation Districts "NACD Spring Fly In", which took place in Washington DC on March 26, 2025. Ms. Zimmerman met with numerous representatives, including Senator Cory Booker, to share information about the importance and value of New Jersey's Conservation Districts. Read the comprehensive New Jersey Conservation Partnership Congressional Report 2025.
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Ocean County Local Working Group 2025
Report of Findings
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The Ocean County Soil Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service hosted a Local Working Group on January 30. At this well attended event, participants identified natural resource conservation priorities, issues, concerns and opportunities. A Report of Findings was compiled and shared with all participants. Click to read the Ocean County Local Working Group 2025 Report of Findings.
| | 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. | | | | |
