The Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve is hosting a 2020 series of Jersey-Friendly Yards programs in collaboration with Ocean County Soil Conservation District, Barnegat Bay Partnership, Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management and Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority. Gain knowledge about healthy soil, composting, water conservation and other sustainable gardening practices. Two programs remain in this series of four. Location: Cousteau Coastal Center at 130 Great Bay Blvd., Tuckerton. To register contact Kaitlin Gannon (609) 812-0649 x206 or [email protected]

February 17, 6:00-7:00pm: Start With Healthy Soil. Learn about the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of soil, soil testing, plus the fundamentals of composting. Speakers: Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Specialist with Ocean County Soil Conservation District, and Sandra Blaine-Snow, Educator with Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management.

February 24, 6:00-7:00pm: Water Wisely. Explore water conservation techniques, as well as storm water management, rain barrels, rain gardens and more. Speaker: Shari Kondrup of Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority.

Birds delight us with their songs, colorful feathery attire and comical antics as they fly across the yard. They also provide vital "ecosystem services" such as pest control, nutrient cycling, pollination and seed dispersal. Learn some tips on how to create a healthy, functioning yard that attracts your favorite birds - and watch your home grow into a "Jersey-Friendly Yard". Presented by Becky Laboy, OCSCD, hosted by the Friends of Island Beach State Park. For more information visit the Friends of Island Beach State Park website: https://www.friendsofibsp.org/events/lecture-series/ and link to their registration page. Or contact Stevie Thorsen [email protected]

Want a beautiful property without chemical treatments? Learn from professionals representing The Watershed Institute, SavATree and Jersey-Friendly Yards about how to "green" your property using organic methods. Everything applied to lawns eventually ends up in local waterways, so it is crucial to minimize chemical applications on our properties. Free! Location: The Watershed Institute, 31 Titus Mill Road, Pennington, NJ 08534. Visit The Watershed Institute website to find out more information and to register. Or contact Erin Landis [email protected]

The NJ Pinelands Commission will once again host their annual Pinelands Short Course - a day-long event featuring educational presentations that explore the unique history, ecology and culture of the Pinelands. OCSCD and Barnegat Bay Partnership are teaming-up to present "Combating Climate Change with a Jersey-Friendly Yard". Learn about the challenges that climate change poses to the residential landscape and how to mitigate the impacts.  March 14. Location: Stockton University 101 Vera King Farris Drive, Galloway, NJ 08205. Cost: Adult: $50, Senior: $45, Student: $45. For more information, contact Joel Mott (609) 684-7300, ext. 125 or  [email protected]

This program features spring planting and landscaping tips designed for homeowners that offer easy, yet comprehensive information about creating a healthy and sustainable backyard using native plants.  March 25, 2:00-3:00pm. Location: Berkeley Branch of the Ocean County Library, 30 Station Road, Bayville, 08721. Please register through the Library. Free! For more information, contact Becky Laboy [email protected] or (609) 971-7002 ext. 114.

Be inspired to create your own native plant garden using Jersey-Friendly Yards, an online guide to environmentally friendly landscaping in New Jersey. An introduction to the website will provide you with information about designing your garden, preparing your soil, planting site-specific native species, water conservation and improving overall garden health. Presenters will showcase resources and practical applications including the results of several Jersey-Friendly Yards projects throughout Ocean County. April 7, 6:30-8:00pm. Location: Cloverdale Farms County Park, 34 Cloverdale Road, Barnegat, NJ, 08005. Please contact Patti Trasferini for more information: [email protected]

Join Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Specialist with OCSCD, presenting at Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences "Science Saturdays" speaker series. Learn how, when, where and what to plant in your home garden using the Jersey-Friendly Yards website tools and resources. Explore the benefits of native plants, then make your purchases at the native plant sale following the workshop.  Saturday April 25, workshop from 11:00-12:30pm, followed by the native plant sale from 12:30-2:00pm. Location: Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts & Sciences, 120 Long Beach Blvd. Love Ladies, NJ 08008. Free to LBIF members; $5 fee for non-members. For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit the LBIF website.

Healthy lawns and gardens start with healthy soil. The Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County is hosting a 2020 series of programs focusing on SOIL. Learn more about your soil and how to keep it healthy. Attend 1, 2, Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, 08755. Please register by calling (732) 505-3671 or [email protected] Nonrefundable program fee of $10 each day.

Be Water Wise! Join Dr. Steve Yergeau, Rutgers County Agent, for a 1 hour workshop to learn about the tools needed to conserve water in your yard. Explore ways to follow smart water conservation practices at home. Location: Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, 08755. Please register by calling (732) 505-3671 or [email protected] Nonrefundable program fee of $10.

The NJ Conservation Poster Contest is an annual contest sponsored by the  NJ Department of Agriculture, the  New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts and the Ocean County Soil Conservation District. It aims to promote a better understanding of the connection between natural resources and humans, in a fun and creative way that engages students throughout the county, state and nation. It is open to all students from grades 2-12. The 2020 theme is: "Where would we BEE without Pollinators?" The Ocean County Grand Champion Winner will receive a $50 cash prize. Click to find out more about the contest, the prizes and how to enter. All Ocean County entries must be received by  March 1. Contact Becky Laboy (619) 971-7002 ext. 114 [email protected] 

The Barnegat Bay Partnership is taking the lead on organizing the NJDEP's Rain Barrel Challenge. This is an annual art competition with an environmental theme for schools and youth organizations. The Rain Barrel Challenge aims to educate young people about the Barnegat Bay and its 660-square mile watershed and engage them in stewardship actions. The 2020 theme is: "Earth Day - Celebrating 50 Years of Protecting Our Planet!" Visit the BBP's website to learn more, or contact Karen Walzer, BBP's Public Outreach Coordinator, [email protected] or (732) 255-0472 ext. 2.

Calling all nature enthusiasts! Join Barnegat Bay Partnership for a day of learning at their annual Retreat. March 25, 9:00-3:00pm. Check-in at 8:30am. Location: Ocean County College, Gateway Building, Room 500. Theme: "Changing the Conversation on Climate Change". Learn from several guest speakers, including Jennifer Lengares Meyer of Jenkinson's Aquarium, Dr. Doug Zemeckis of Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, and Kaitlin Gannon of Jacques Cousteau National Estuarine Research Reserve. FREE! Click to register. Light morning refreshments served, lunch is on your own. For more information, contact Karen Walzer, [email protected]

If you enjoy learning about wildlife, ecology and traditions of the Barnegat Bay, and sharing what you've learned with others, then the Barnegat Bay Master Naturalist Program is for you! Registration is now open for the Spring 2020 training course offered by the Barnegat Bay Partnership (BBP) through the Ocean County College Continuing & Professional Education Department. Orientation begins April 8, 7-9pm. Field trips take place on Saturdays, lectures are on Wednesday evenings. More details, including exact dates, times and cost can be found on the BBP website. Or contact Karen Walzer, [email protected] or (732) 255-0472.

SAVE THE DATE, April 22, celebrate Earth Day with us at OCSCD's 23rd Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable! Engage in a variety of workshops and field trips that support STEM/STEAM-based activities and Next Generation Science Standards. Keynote Speaker, Senior Pollinator Conservation Specialist, Kelly Gill of Xerces Society will address pollinator conservation efforts through education. Event highlights also include networking opportunities, resource sharing, light dinner and dessert, and door prizes. Cost: $25. For more information or to register visit our website, or contact Becky Laboy (609) 971-7002, ext. 114 or  [email protected]

Join the Barnegat Bay Partnership for the first in a new series of "Ask a Barnegat Bay Scientists" talks. The first program is "Secrets of the Barnegat Bay blue Crab" presented by Dr. Paul Jivoff. learn about the fascinating ecology and mating behavior of Callinectus sapidus. This free program is on February 25 at 6:30pm at Ocean County College in room 115 in the Technology building. For event details and directions please visit this Event page, or call Karen Walzer, [email protected] or 732-255-0472.

Joel M. Mott IV, Principal Programs Specialist of the New Jersey Pinelands Commission, will offer a virtual walk in the woods showcasing the flora and fauna of the Pinelands. The talk will focus on the importance of water to the area's vegetation, as well as the cultural and historical resources of the region, while revealing this unique but fragile treasure. Thursday, March 5, 6:30-8:00pm in the Mancini Room at the Toms River Branch of the Ocean County Library, 101 Washington Street, Toms River, 08753. Sponsored by the Barnegat Bay Partnership and the Jersey Shore Chapter of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey. For questions and information contact Karen Walzer, Public Outreach Coordinator for the Barnegat Bay Partnership,  [email protected] (732) ext. 114