OCSCD June Newsletter

June 2024

OCEAN COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, EVENTS & NEWS

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Enjoy this 3minute video about our...

27th Annual Barnegat Bay

Environmental Educators Roundtable

Teachers and Environmental Educators from around the Barnegat Bay watershed gathered on Wednesday, April 17, for our 27th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable professional development event at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education in Waretown, NJ.

This year's theme was Sustainable Connections, selected to spotlight the symbiotic relationship between the cultural, historical, and natural resources that define the ecological significance of the Barnegat Bay watershed. By focusing our workshops on soils, compost, food waste, trash and marine debris, we aspire to underscore the role of educators in fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability and environmental stewardship.

Visit our website for more information about our 2024 Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable and explore past Roundtable events. Stay tuned for more information about our 2025 Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable! For questions, contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, (609) 991-1534.

NEW POLLINATOR GARDEN

Common Grounds Community Garden is Buzzing with Pollinators!

Common Grounds Community Garden, located at the John Patrick Sports Complex, Lakewood, now has a new pollinator garden. The Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD) was awarded a Habitat Kit from the Xerces Society consisting of 7 species of native wildflowers, 3 species of native grasses and 2 species of native shrubs, which were planted around the perimeter of the existing vegetable garden, on Thursday, May 30, 2024. Link to our blog for more information and photos.

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NJ ENVIROTHON

MATES - Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science take First Place!

MATES 2024 Envirothon Team, L to R: Advisor Adam Sprague, Caroline Liebmann, Megan Ebinger, Michelle Karamian, Cailean Connelly, Amalie Werner, Advisor Dave Werner.

Congratulations to MATES for winning this year's New Jersey Envirothon! This is the second year in a row that this same team of students took First Place in this highly competitive environmental competition. They will represent New Jersey in the National Envirothon competition in New York, July 28 - August 3. Good luck to all! Link to our website to learn more about this environmental science competition for high school students.

Educating Outdoors!

POLLINATOR POINT HOSTS ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES SYMPOSIUM

Point Pleasant Garden Club's "Pollinator Point" (a Jersey-Friendly Yards garden, official Monarch Waystation, and now on the map as a Homegrown National Park!) hosted "Pollinator Point Environmental Sciences Symposium" for Point Pleasant Borough High School AP Environmental Science students on Friday, May 17. OCSCD Education & Outreach Coordinator, Becky Laboy, provided a hands-on soil science program, amidst an array of fun and educational outdoor lessons, lectures and activities offered by a variety of speakers. Enjoy this 1 minute video created by Sarah Ulaky, Communications Director for Point Pleasant School District.