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.

From Vision to Reality - The Lakewood Township Stormwater Basin Retrofit Project Comes to Life!

The Lakewood Township Stormwater Basin Retrofit Project (LTSBRP) is a longterm initiative aimed at improving water quality within the Metedeconk River watershed by retrofitting stormwater basins throughout Lakewood Township. On June 3, the LTSBRP team hosted a Presentation & Bus Tour, a culminating educational event highlighting the project’s real-world outcomes. Attendees saw firsthand how these retrofitted basins support cleaner water, healthier soil, and thriving habitat - bringing the project's mission full circle, from planning and restoration to education and community connection. Read more about the Presentation & Bus Tour on our blog. Explore the full scope of the project by visiting our website. The LTSBRP is a collaborative effort led by the South Jersey Resource Conservation and Development Council (SJRC&D), in partnership with Camden County Soil Conservation District (Camden SCD), Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD) and the Lakewood Township Department of Public Works (LTDPW). It is funded by a federal Clean Water Act Section 319(h) grant through the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. 

Digging Deep: The Past, Present and Future of Ocean County Sand

When most people picture Ocean County, New Jersey, they imagine the boardwalk lights of Seaside Heights, the rolling surf at Island Beach State Park, or winding paddles through cedar-lined creeks in Double Trouble State Park. Whether driving through the suburbs of Toms River or exploring the quiet woods of Lacey Township, few associate this landscape with mining. After all, Ocean County lacks metallic ore or gemstones. What could possibly be worth digging up? Read our blog to find out! 

Calling All Educators - Visit the Headwaters Before You Head Back to School!

Join us on Thursday, August 21, 10:00am, at the Forest Resource Education Center for Barnegat Bay Partnership's annual Communication & Education Retreat. This free event is open to all formal and informal educators. Enjoy a fun day of networking with other educators and learn new ways to teach about our watershed. Opportunities include: Trout in the Classroom, Benthic Macroinvertebrates, Sensory Awareness Trail, Explore Bird Calls and Mammal Sounds. Registration is required for this free event; please email Nina at nsassano@ocean.edu with questions. Bring your own lunch.

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.