Educational Resources

Ocean County Soil Conservation District has made available numerous resources for educators, home owners, landscapers and curious minds to help you learn more about soil and create healthy gardens, yards and landscapes at home, at school and in your community.

Click on the topics below and explore our online library of soil resources.

Educational Resource Guide 2011 3.23.12

Educational Resource Guide

This comprehensive booklet was created by the Ocean County Soil Conservation District as a one-stop guide for all educational resources related to the Barnegat Bay watershed.  What began as a simple directory has grown into a compendium of resources and organizations offering numerous programs, publications, field trips, and watershed information that educators can incorporate into their lessons and activities.
Learn more about healthy soil, native plants, pollinators and more, and connect with other like-minded groups within the community. 
The Barnegat Bay Watershed Educational Resource Guide
is an  extensive document that shares the contact information for leading environmental organizations serving the Barnegat Bay watershed.
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
Visit for Dig It! The Secrets of Soil exhibit plus games and other educational activities.
Check out Iowa NRCS newest soil health video project, a rap tune entitled Don’t Treat It Like Dirt.
From The Ground Up, The Science of Soil
is a website that has many fun activities for families and interactive lesson plans for teachers.

Soil Education Articles and Updates from Our Blog

  • Spring Blooming Natives for Your Garden

    Spring Blooming Natives for Your Garden

    Native plants are perfectly adapted to our sandy south Jersey native soils and local climate. Support pollinators, birds and wildlife by adding a few spring blooming native plants to your yard.

  • Life in the Leaves!

    Life in the Leaves!

    Green leaves of summer are ablaze in scarlet, crimson and gold, as trees and shrubs begin to wind-down for winter. Through photosynthesis, these mini food factories provided an essential service in turning water and carbon dioxide into sugars for their host. But their job duties do not end there. Leaves take on a new role in the winter. These brown leafy blankets protect pupating caterpillars and provide habitat for moths and butterflies.

  • Back to School and Back to the Basics: Soil Health Activities for Children

    Back to School and Back to the Basics: Soil Health Activities for Children

    The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD) and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are placing a renewed emphasis on soil health. As children get ready to go back to school, we will also be thinking about public outreach and conservation activities for children of all ages. The following information includes resources and ideas that you … Read more