OCEAN COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT Conservation Conversation | | We regulate soil disturbance to protect our landscapes and waterways. | | We equip the community with knowledge needed to understand and care for our watershed. | | We inspire stewardship to preserve the health of our soil, water and natural resources. | |
Educational Events & Programs | |
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Registration is Open!
28th Annual Barnegat Bay
Environmental Educators Roundtable
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Teacher Professional Development
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It's time to register for our 28th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable, on Wednesday, April 16, 3:00pm-8:00pm, at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, Waretown. | |
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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. Still have questions? Contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, OCSCD, (609) 991-1534. | |
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High School Environmental Competition:
2025 New Jersey Envirothon
$100 Grant Available to Registered Schools!
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OCSCD collaborates with our sister Soil Conservation Districts and NJACD to help facilitate the New Jersey Envirothon. Students 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.
For the 2025 competition, Ocean County Soil Conservation District is offering a $100 grant to the first 5 Ocean County schools to register for the 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
Win Cash Prizes!
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The NJ Conservation Poster Contest is open to all students in New Jersey from grades 2-12, and is categorized according to grade groups. At the county level, the Ocean County Soil Conservation District will declare a First Place winner for each grade group. First Place Winners receive a certificate. One Grand Champion Winner is selected among the First Place winners and is awarded a $50 prize. All First Place winning entries from Ocean County are submitted to the NJ Statewide Competition where they will compete for more cash prizes. The First Place prize at the NJ Statewide Competition is $100, Second Place is $50 and Third Place receives $25. Winners from the Statewide Competition move on to compete in the Nationals. Deadline to submit Ocean County entries is March 6, 2025. Download the rules and entry form for the Ocean County contest. (For students outside Ocean County, please reach out to your local Soil Conservation District for their county-wide entry form.)
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Soil Compaction
NJ Soil Erosion & Sediment Control Standard 19-1
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Compaction refers to the hardening of the soil due to the loss of air from pore spaces between soil particles usually caused by vehicle or foot traffic. This can make it harder for plant roots to grow and for water to soak into the ground. If the bottom of a stormwater basin becomes compacted, it might not work as it should. Instead of allowing water to soak into the ground, it could lead to drainage problems, flooding, or poor water quality, with harmful effects like sediment running off into nearby areas. Read our blog to learn more about compacted soil, and how to prevent it. | |
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. | | | | |
OCEAN COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT Conservation Conversation | | We regulate soil disturbance to protect our landscapes and waterways. | | We equip the community with knowledge needed to understand and care for our watershed. | | We inspire stewardship to preserve the health of our soil, water and natural resources. | |
TEACHER PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT | |
|
Registration is Open!
Barnegat Bay
Environmental Educators Roundtable
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
| |
It's time to register for our 28th Annual Barnegat Bay Environmental Educators Roundtable, on Wednesday, April 16, 3:00pm-8:00pm, at the Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource Education, Waretown. | |
|
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, Keynote, Dessert and Door Prizes. The registration fee is $35 per person. Visit our website for more information and to view past Environmental Educators Roundtable events. Still have questions? Contact Becky Laboy, Education Outreach Coordinator, OCSCD, (609) 991-1534. | |
|
High School Environmental Competition:
2025 New Jersey Envirothon
$100 Grant Available to Registered Schools!
| |
|
OCSCD collaborates with our sister Soil Conservation Districts and NJACD to help facilitate the New Jersey Envirothon. Students 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.
For the 2025 competition, Ocean County Soil Conservation District is offering a $100 grant to the first 5 Ocean County schools to register for the 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.
| |
|
NJ Conservation Poster Contest for Kids
Win Cash Prizes!
| |
|
The NJ Conservation Poster Contest is open to all students in New Jersey from grades 2-12, and is categorized according to grade groups. At the county level, the Ocean County Soil Conservation District will declare a First Place winner for each grade group. First Place Winners receive a certificate. One Grand Champion Winner is selected among the First Place winners and is awarded a $50 prize. All First Place winning entries from Ocean County are submitted to the NJ Statewide Competition where they will compete for more cash prizes. The First Place prize at the NJ Statewide Competition is $100, Second Place is $50 and Third Place receives $25. Winners from the Statewide Competition move on to compete in the Nationals. Deadline to submit Ocean County entries is March 6, 2025. Download the rules and entry form for the Ocean County contest. (For students outside Ocean County, please reach out to your local Soil Conservation District for their county-wide entry form.)
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Local Working Group
Register to Attend and Have Your Voice Heard!
Thursday, January 30, 4:00pm-6:00pm
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Join the Ocean County Soil Conservation District and Natural Resources Conservation Service's 2025 Local Working Group. OCSCD and NRCS request your participation in our Local Working Group to identify important natural resource issues, concerns and opportunities in Ocean County. OCSCD seeks to gather your input to help direct technical and financial resources for locally led conservation programs, initiatives and efforts. A report of findings will be offered to all participants. | |
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Your insights and input are valuable. Additional Local Working Group information can be found in the USDA-NRCS Local Working Groups Fact Sheet. We hope you will join us on Thursday, January 30, 4pm-6pm, at Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Ocean County, 1623 Whitesville Road, Toms River, 08755. Click below to register. For questions, contact in...@soildistrict.org. Download and share this Flyer with others! | |
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. | | | | |
| Ocean County Soil Conservation District | 714 Lacey Road | Forked River, NJ 08731 US | | | | |
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