WELCOME
TO THE OCEAN COUNTY SOIL CONSERVATION DISTRICT
Ocean
County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD) provides
Ocean County with a wide variety of natural resource
conservation services.
Our success is tied to the goals and policies set by the Board of Supervisors
and implemented by OCSCD staff. It is dependent, however, upon public awareness
of soil health and water quality issues, and upon partnerships formed with groups
and individuals who are committed to this important work of conservation. We
hope that as you read about us on these pages, you will want to learn more about
our effective Chapter 251 program, our progressive education program, our research
in soil health and water quality in the Barnegat Bay watershed, and our role
in farmland preservation.
We welcome your questions and suggestions, and especially your participation.
Discovering
Barnegat Bay Workshop: Rain Gardens
There may still be time for one more workshop
this year! Join us for a unique professional
development opportunity to Explore Rain Gardens
while Discovering Barnegat Bay. Gain a wealth
of resources for incorporating Barnegat Bay specific
topics into your existing programs and curricula
and experience the beauty and serenity of the
194 acre Lighthouse Center for Natural Resource
Education in Waretown.
Register early as space is limited. Click
here for more details and a registration form.
2008
Poster Contest Winners
The 2008 Poster Contest theme of “Water
is Life” was quite timely and held
special appeal for the students of Ocean County
and the Barnegat Bay watershed. We received
over 200 entries this year. Click HERE to
view the winning posters. The
cash awards are $100 for First Place, $75 for
Second Place, and $50 for Third Place. The
first place entry from each category of the local
contest is sent to the State for competition. The
NJ Association of Conservation Districts oversees
the State Competition which is held at the end
of May in Trenton. The winning State poster
is reproduced as the cover of a folder which
is distributed at various conservation education
events throughout the year. It is so important
to the future conservation of natural resources
that teachers encourage their students to learn
about the role they play in protecting, conserving,
and respecting the environment. Collectively,
we can all make a difference! Congratulations
and thank you to veryone who participated!
Press
Release: Ocean County Soil Conservation District
Recognized
as a Statewide Leader in Education
The Ocean County Soil
Conservation District is pleased to sponsor the 2008
Conservation Poster Contest
"Water is Life" is the
theme for the 2008 Poster Contest sponsored by Ocean County Soil Conservation
District and the NJ Association of Conservation Districts. Students in 2nd -
12th grades in Ocean County are encouraged to explore how important water is
in our everyday lives and to creatively illustrate their ideas. Prizes include
$100, $75 and $50 for each grade-level category. All first place district level
posters will be submitted to a State level competition. Click
here to download the entry form, email info@ocscd.org,
or call 609-971-7002 to receive an entry form. Additional
Information | WATER
at the American Museum of Natural History
Please follow all 10 Poster Contest Rules as described.
TEACHERS, PLEASE SUBMIT ONLY THE TOP THREE (3) POSTERS FROM EACH
CLASS FOR CONSIDERATION.
Posters are due to the OCSCD office at 714 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ 08731
by March 14, 2008
11th Annual Barnegat Bay
Environmental Educators Roundtable
When: Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Location: Lighthouse Center for Natural
Resources Education, Waretown
Register Early! Deadline is April 11th!
Schedule
& Topics || Registration Form
$1500 Scholarship Available
The NJACD Memorial Conservation Scholarship Fund establishes a
continuing memorial to those recognized and honored through monetary contribution
for their dedicated service to the conservation of our natural resources. This
scholarship is granted to encourage and support qualified students to pursue
a career in a field related to the conservation and management of natural resources. (Click
here for application)
Trout
in the Classroom
Brook
Trout are being raised in Classrooms around Ocean County
The Ocean County Soil Conservation District (OCSCD)
has sponsored an innovative program called “Trout
in the Classroom (TIC)” with four area schools
this year. This program engages students in the raising
of Brook Trout from eggs to eventual release as small
fingerlings in the late spring. It is a program which
encompasses cross-curricular applications, responsibility
and stewardship, in addition to biology, water chemistry
and environmental studies. It is a hands-on opportunity
for students to get connected to real-life water quality,
fish and wildlife issues and inspires them to seek solutions.
The OCSCD works toward healthy soil which makes a healthy
watershed. Brook trout are part of the Barnegat Bay watershed
and can only thrive here if there are healthy waterways.
More information can be found here. For
further reading, here is another article.
Trout
Field Day - May 29th, 2008
Ocean County Soil Conservation District in the News!
"Students
Study Trout Life Cycle"
Backyard Conservation - Whether you have acres in the
country, an average-sized suburban yard, or a tiny
plot in the city, you can help protect the environment
and add beauty and interest to your surroundings. This
colorful publication can get you started.
Printed copies of this colorful 28-page booklet on Backyard Conservation and
tip sheets are available free by calling 1-888-LANDCARE (single copies only).
This campaign is a cooperative project of the National Association of Conservation
Districts (http://www.nacdnet.org/) ,
the Wildlife Habitat Council (http://www.wildlifehc.org/),
and USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service.
You can also download "Backyard Conservation" here.
Soils
Sustain Life ~ Educational Resources for
Teachers
The New Jersey Soil Conservation Districts have a wealth
of educational and
informational resources available for FREE for students,
educators, the
general public related to the environment and conservation. The 15 Soil
Districts and partners, including Natural Resources Conservation
Service
(NRCS) and the State Soil Conservation Committee have a
shared website.
Please visit it at: http://njenvirothon.org/njconed/
Press Release: Rain
Gardens are Making a SPLASH!
Newly
Updated
Barnegat Bay Watershed Educational Resource Guide Available!
This guide is designed to help educators in
locating watershed information and materials that can
be integrated with existing curricula. View
the Barnegat Bay Watershed Educational Resource Guide.
"Low Maintenance Landscaping
for the Barnegat Bay Watershed"
Because You've Got Better Things
to do than Maintain your Yard!
It covers topics ranging
from pruning & fertilizing and also recommends
perennials and grasses suited to our area. This
52- page publication is available for free
download or
by mail by sending $2.00 postage and handling to OCSCD,
Homeowners Guide, 714 Lacey Road, Forked River, NJ
08731. It is available FREE for pick-up at our office
between the hours of 7 AM & 4 PM M-F.
Attention: Engineers & Planners
"Attached is a new engineering
technical bulletin regarding the use of NRCS Soil Surveys.
NRCS has formally announced that the old paper copies
are no longer to be used for soils information. The
web survey contains the updated line work and soil
symbology that is to be used for any soils work, such
as
runoff calculation, soil classification, capability
class etc. The purpose of the soil survey (both the
previous and new versions) is to provide soils information
only and shouldn't be used to verify other geographic
features such as roads, streams, railroads etc. Those
aspects of the landscape should be determined by referring
to USGS maps, recent aerial photography and similar
resources." - Click
here (website) or (Technical
Bulletin) for more
information.
Get Ready to Dig In! Extensive
Soil Information Now Available!
Click here for complete
information.
The USDA- NRCS has recently made up-to-date soils information
available through a number of sources. The “official” data
for use is to be found at the Web Soil Survey site (see
above.) Click here for an extensive list of resources
available, from searchable data to historic traditional
soil surveys which include soil maps, a manuscript of
soil descriptions, and interpretation tables. A hard
copy of the soil survey for Ocean County is available
for a $5.00 postage and handling charge. Please make
checks payable to OCSCD and mail to 714 Lacey Road, Forked
River, NJ 08731 and write Soil Survey Request. This book
can also be picked up at our office for FREE. This historic
publication is a valuable resource for basic soils information
and is to be utilized for informational purposes only.
The NRCS website has links to all of the most up-to-date
soils information available and links to these tools.
Visit their website at http://www.nj.nrcs.usda.gov/soils.
