Education

 
Envirothon  |   Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)
Classroom Presentations  |  Poster Contest  |  Arbor Day  |  Today’s Acorns | Tree Seedling Catalog

Welcome Back!

The Burlington County Soil Conservation District is excited to extend a warm invitation to all of the County Schools in joining the Soil Conservation District in an ecological journey.  The beginning of the 2008 school year marks the opening of the Soil Conservation’s outdoor educational classroom.  Please take advantage of this great opportunity to adventure into a New Jersey native habitat.    The Soil Conservation will provide guided tours through the outdoor classroom and lessons are available to cater to current in class activities.  Please contact Tim Robinson  to organize a field trip and agenda.  We look forward to hearing from all of you.    

 

                                                             

 

I frequently tramped eight or ten miles through the deepest snow to keep an appointment with a beech-tree, or a yellow birch, or an old acquaintance among the pines.
-  Henry David Thoreau,  1817 - 1862

 

The New Jersey Envirothon

The 2009 New Jersey Envirothon will be held at:

Montclair State University / School of Conservation in Branchville, Sussex County, New Jersey on Saturday, May 9, 2009.

(Camping will be available on site for a small fee, on the evening of Friday, May 8)

The Envirothon Concept
Young minds love a challenge.  The idea of matching wits with their peers excites and inspires teenagers.
 
The Envirothon was established as a competitive, problem-solving, natural resource event for students in grades 9-12 to challenge them about the environment.  Thousands of high school aged students have come away wiser and more concerned about the natural world and their environment.  Students are trained and tested in five natural resource areas:  soils, aquatics, forestry, and wildlife, plus a fifth environmental issue that embraces a current environmental problem
 
History
 
The Envirothon began in one county in Pennsylvania in 1979.  By 1995, 34 states and several countries had initiated the program and sent a team to the National Envirothon.  In every state, the conservation districts and their state association sponsor the Envirothon, and in some states it is co-sponsored by the State Soil Conservation Committee, as in New Jersey.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Objectives

The objectives are two-fold:     

  • to test the environmental knowledge and understanding of high school students of state resource issues
  • to cultivate within students across the state a desire to learn more about their natural world.

How Does the Envirothon Work???

The heart and soul and most of the intense natural resource learning of the Envirothon begins in each Conservation District.  Working with the District sends supporting materials to each competing school.  A statewide Envirothon resource committee is established consisting of: foresters, fishery experts, interested civic groups, citizens and other park/recreational leaders, wildlife experts, soil scientists, and many other scientist and experts in their respected fields.  The committee identifies teachers/advisors in both public and private high schools and in 4-H or other environmental clubs who want to work with a quality natural resource training program.                                          

2006Environthon260.jpgThe New Jersey Envirothon is usually held before the end of the school year.  Here their knowledge is challenged in a competition that  emphasizes  “hands-on” involvement with natural resource information.  The New Jersey state competition is a one-day event.

The winning team from the state Envirothon travels to the national Envirothon where they serve as a representative from New Jersey.  The National Envirothon is a five day event where teams from each participating state / country workout the solution to an environmental problem.  There are also tours, campfires, night hikes, and other environmentally related activities at the national Envirothon.

 
Get Involved

 

The spirit of competition that motivates athletes, drives successful business people, and develops new ideas also motivates young citizens.  In competing in the Envirothon, not only do students learn about their state’s natural resources and related problems and solutions, but they also learn about team building, communications, and conservation partnerships. 

 

The theme for the 2009 Envirothon is:

 "Biodiversity in a Changing World"

The Envirothon is a dynamic hands-on Environmental Education Program for high school students.  Teams of students who wish to compete in the state-level Envirothon competition explore different natural resource related topics throughout the school year, including soils, forestry, aquatics, wildlife ecology and current environmental issues.  As they strengthen their background in natural resources, students practice working in teams, considering information and differing viewpoints to reach a decision through consensus and teamwork.  One of the purposes of this program is to encourage students to become better-informed, active participants in natural resource management decisions and problem-solving.

The team advisor or "coach" facilitates team preparation for the competition.  The Environthon sponsors offer training and study guides for the preparation.  Organized training sessions give students the opportunity to meet a wide range of professionals working in environmentally-related fields.  Hands0oin activities outlined in the educational study guide acquaint students with the Envirothon testing format.

The study guide can also be used to supplement regular lesson plans or added to a resource library.  Preparation for the Envirothon will help teachers meet New Jersey Core Curriculum content Standards in Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. 

An Envirothon training session is held at the Gloucester County Governmental Services Complex, NJ for all South Jersey schools attending the Envirothon.  The training is designed to give an overview and prepare the teams for the tests at the competition.  There will also be guest speakers who will give hands-on training on various topics   relevant to the competition.  Take home materials will also be provided.  For more information regarding the training session please contact Dave Reilly of the Cape Atlantic Soil Conservation District. 

Envirothon Training Trunks are available for loan. These trunks are filled with training materials to help a team prepare for the competition.   

The Burlington Soil Conservation District provides an on-staff educational coordinator who is available to come to your school and assist your team prepare for the 2009 Envirothon Competition. For more information, please contact Tim at trobinson@bscd.org or 609-267-7410.

We look forward to your participation!

Make an environmental investment that is both fun and educational! Register your team in the Envirothon competition by returning a completed registration form. Early registration is highly recommended to allow time for studying the guide and preparing for this exciting event.

Register NOW!!!

Upon registration, a study guide with information on natural resource topics and a list of suggested resource materials and contacts will be sent to each team.

There is a resource problem to be researched during the school year and presented by the team before a panel of judges during the competition.

A schedule of the activities on the day of the competition will be sent to each team in advance for travel preparations.

The winning team becomes eligible to compete in the Canon Envirothon.  The second place team will compete if the first place team cannot attend.

To register for the New Jersey Envirothon:

    Complete and return the registration form.

    Make registration check for $100.00 payable to the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts.

    Mail both the registration form and check to: 

State Soil Conservation Committee

New Jersey Department of Agriculture

PO Box 330, Room 204

Trenton, NJ 08625

 

 

New Jersey Envirothon Results

2008

First Place Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Somerset County
Second Place   Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science, Ocean County
Third Place  High Tech High School, Hudson County

 

2007

First Place High Tech High School, Hudson County
Second Place   Marine Academy of Technology & Environmental Science, Ocean County
Third Place  Bridgewater-Raritan High School, Somerset County

Become an Envirothon Sponsor!!!

The New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts invites you to become a sponsor for the New Jersey Envirothon.  There are Six Levels of Sponsorship available!!!

For more information please contact the environmental coordinator at the Burlington County Soil Conservation District or call (609)-267-7410.

 

 

 

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    2007 Camp Site

 

 

 

 

 

High Tech High School team at the 2005 NJ Envirothon

 

 

 

 

 

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"The New Jersey Envirothon is an important tool to help educate our young people, the leaders of tomorrow, about our environment.  By combining year-long classroom study with a day of hands-on competition, the Envirothon provides students with a thorough understating of the importance and complexity of our natural resources."  Charles Kuperus, New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture

 

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Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP)

The Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) is a USDA voluntary program for people who want to improve or develop fish and wildlife habitat on non-federal lands.  The program is designed to provide both technical assistance and cost sharing to help establish and enhance habitat.  Through WHIP, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) provides technical and financial assistance to landowners and others to develop upland, wetland, riparian, and aquatic habitat areas on their property.

Purpose: To create, enhance or maintain wildlife habitat on school grounds to benefit native wildlife and provide educational opportunities about wildlife habitats.
   
Eligible Land:  Any non-federal lands owned or controlled by private or public schools and suitable for wildlife habitat.  NRCS does not place limits on the number of acres that can be enrolled in the program.

Cost sharing is authorized for:

Plant materials (plants, seeds, etc.), planting, seeding, lime. Fertilizer and site preparation needed
 Equipment, materials and related costs required to develop wetland or shallow water aquatic habitat
Fencing or deer guards to protect trees and shrubs from deer browsing

Cost sharing is not authorized for:

 Construction activity for items such as building, trails, board walks, blinds, observation platforms or structures not directly related to wildlife habitat management
Ponds that create deep water habitat

Cost Share Rate:    75% of the actual cost of habitat improvements.  Maximum total cost share availability to any one school is limited to $2500.

Length of Plan:       Wildlife Habitat Development plan will be written for a minimum of 5 years.  All practices installed must be maintained for the length of the plan.

** Special Eligibility Requirement – In order for schools to be eligible for WHIP cost sharing assistance, at least one teacher will have had to complete a NJ Division of Fish, Game & Wildlife sponsored Project WILD School Site workshop prior to plan implementation.

What Can Students Learn by Doing a Wildlife Habitat

Improvement Project?

Value and importance of habitat to loving things
An appreciation for wildlife of various sizes from small to large
A diversity of vegetation produces a diversity of wildlife
An appreciation for native plants, and a greater awareness of natural landscapes and their  importance to wildlife
A demonstration of natural cycles, and an opportunity to see recycling in nature
A greater awareness of both positive and negative benefits people can have on wildlife

How Can My School Get Involved?

No school is too large or too small to undertake a habitat improvement project.  Whether you have less than
1 acre or more than 100, a project can be undertaken.  Patience, planning, commitment and persistence are
all that’s needed.

A WILD School Site workshop requires a minimum of 6 hours with an optional half-day follow up, and a minimum of 10 teachers.  You do not need to be a science teacher to take on this project, nor do you need to have the entire school take part thought the support will be beneficial.  The workshop should be attended by custodial staff, key administrators, parents, and any interested community members in addition to teaching staff. The workshop process enables team building, familiarizes teachers with the resources they already have on their school grounds, encourages interdisciplinary planning, and provides information on wildlife, landscaping, resources and suggestions for how to get a project started.

To learn more about the WHIP program, log onto the NRCS web site in New Jersey or contact the Burlington County Soil Conservation District.

Teachers, educators, and other participants attending Project WILD School Site workshops will be given the resources to create an outdoor classroom right at their own school

 

 

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Arbor Day Celebrations

To exist as a nation, to prosper as a state, and to live as a people, we must have trees.

~ Theodore Roosevelt

 

The first Arbor Day took place on April 10, 1872 in the state of Nebraska.  It was the creation of Julius Sterling Morton who felt that Nebraska’s landscape and economy would benefit from the wide-scale planting of trees.  Nebraska made it an annual legal holiday in 1885, using April 22nd to coincide with Morton’s birthday.

Today all 50 states celebrate Arbor Day although the dates may vary in keeping with the local climate.  In 1970, President Nixon proclaimed the last Friday in April as National Arbor Day.  New Jersey follows this tradition and celebrates Arbor Day on the last Friday in April as well.  Arbor Day has gained so much momentum that it is now celebrated in other countries including Australia, with variations in Japan, Israel, Korea, Yugoslavia, and Iceland. 

For the homeowner, Arbor Day is an excellent opportunity to take stock of the trees on your property and plan for the future.  Think about how planting new trees might improve the look of your property, provide wind or heat protection, or provide shelter or food for wildlife.

In keeping with Arbor Day celebrations, the Burlington County Soil Conservation District presents every school, public and private, in Burlington County with a complementary ornamental tree in April.  If your school is not receiving a tree or would like more information, contact the education coordinator at the Burlington County Soil District at 609-267-7410. 

Please bring the receipt in which you have received prior to Arbor Day on the day of the Arbor Day pickup.  The pickup will take place on...

 

Text Box: Wednesday April 23, 2008

 

 

 

Arbor Day Presentation IDEAS!

 

 

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Click Here to Get Form

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Today’s Acorns = Tomorrow’s Trees

 

Red Oak
  (Quercus rubra) 
 Pin Oak  
(Quercus palustris) 
Chestnut Oak 
 (Quercus prinus) 
White Oak
 (Quercus alba)
Department of Environmental Protection
Division of Parks and Forestry, State Forest Service
P.O. Box 404, Trenton, NJ 08625-0404
(609) 292-2531
Trees:  Renewable, Recyclable and Enjoyable!

Each acorn has the potential to grow and become a tree that can clean the air and water, make homes for wildlife and provide wood products.  Trees prevent soil erosion, provide us with shade and improve the quality of life for everyone.  Because trees are so valuable, The NJ Forest Service is asking you to help by collecting acorns for reforestation project is New Jersey. 

            Directions:  The pictures above show some common oak species found in New Jersey.  Acorns from all oak species may be collected in a 1-gallon plastic milk jug.  Print out this page and tape it to the outside of the milk jug and use it as a guide for teachers or collectors to identify trees and/or acorns.  Acorns will be gladly accepted at the listed drop-off points from September 1st until October 30th.  Please store the acorns in a cool, dry place (keep mild cap off jug) and take them to the nearest drop-off point

as soon as possible.  Or, bring them to the Fall Forestry Festival held at the Forest Resource Education Center (FREC).  The acorns will go to the FREC in Jackson, Ocean County.  The Center is the state’s forestry and environmental education facility that teaches about the value of our trees and forests.  The acorns will be grown for one year at the Center’s tree nursery.  Then the healthy seedlings will be ready for planting statewide.  Come visit the Center and bring your acorns!  Learn how seeds grow into trees and the importance role trees play in our lives.

Name______________________________

School/Organization __________________

Address____________________________

City/County/Zip______________________

Telephone___________________________

Acorn Drop-Off Points
Call for directions and drop-off times
Your local forestry offices:
· Franklin 20 Route 23 (973) 827-1325
· FREC Rte. 527, Jackson, (732) 928-0029
· Lebanon State Forest Rte. 72, New Lisbon,
   (609) 726-1621
· May Landing 5555 Atlantic Ave., (609) 625-   
   1124
Acorn program cooperators:
· Voorhees State Park 251 County Rd. 513, Glen Gardner (Lebanon Twp.)
· Flemington Agway Store 39 N. Main St., Flemington (909) 782-5413
· East Brunswick Parks Dept. (732) 390-6806
· Monmouth County Shade Tree Commission Office 17 Lafayette St. Freehold, (732) 431-7903
· Washington Crossing State Park Interp. Ctr. Open Wed.-Sun. (609) 737-0609
· Mercer County SCD, 508 Hughes Dr4., Hamilton Sq. (609) 586-9603

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Poster Contest

Each year the New Jersey Association of Conservation Districts (NJSCD) sponsors, along with other co-sponsors, a conservation poster contest.  The poster contest is designed to promote a greater awareness and broader understanding of our environment.  The topic changes every year with the 2009 theme being “Dig It!  The Secrets of Soil”.

Due to budget restraints, the Burlington County Soil Conservation District will have to postpone this years active participation in the annual poster contest.  However, the Burlington County Soil Conservation will accept any posters that are complete and are within the state rules.  BSCD will judge the top three posters and submit the winner for each group, as done in previous years.  Sorry for the bad news.

There are four levels of competition in which students may participate; grades 2-3, 4-6, 7-9 and 10-12.  The Burlington County Soil Conservation District will select winners and award cash prizes for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners in each level or tier.  First place District level winners will also be entered in the state level competition and receive savings bonds.    For more information or to receive a copy of the contest rules and format, contact the environmental coordinator at the Burlington County Soil Conservation District. 

Pictured above is Julia Wu, 2008 New Jersey place winner, accompanied with BSCD's Board Members.  Right to left: Theodore Zeller, Thomas Budd, Cathy Costa, Julia Wu, and Donald Knezick

 

EDUCATORS -

THEME: 2008 Contest Theme:  The National Poster Contest theme “Water is Life,” based on the 2008 NACD Stewardship theme.  Topics you may want to research are: Water in your every day life, water cycle, groundwater, sources of drinking water, amount of water on Earth, watersheds, storm water runoff, drought, flooding, and water used to grow food you use each day, while remembering the theme of “Water is Life”.  Additional information can be found at www.nacdnet.org Stewardship & Education.

Thank you for taking time to check the above sites out.  If there is any further information that may be needed, please feel free to contact he environmental coordinator at the Burlington County Soil Conservation District. 

Burlington County Soil Conservation extends a very well deserved thank you to all the participants in this years poster contest. Listed below is the 2007 Poster Contest Results for Burlington County. 

Posters will be evaluated on the following criteria:

 

·        Conservation message (50 percent)

·        Visual effectiveness (30 percent)

·        Originality (10 percent)

·        Universal appeal (10 percent)

 

The Burlington County Soil Conservation District would like to thank all of the participants who took time to illustrate "water is life". Through all of the participates' efforts, water conservation has strengthened in New Jersey.  We thank you again and hope all will continue to educate themselves along with their peers in the conserving efforts, which were illustrated by the following great talents.  If everyone does a little, a lot can be done.

                                                           2008 CONSERVATION

POSTER CONTEST WINNERS

“Water is Life”
 

2 – 3 Grade Division

 

3rd PLACE            $25    Matthew Knapp                      Harker Wylie Elm. School        3th

2nd PLACE         $50    Alyssa Kenyon                     Harker Wylie Elm. School         3th

1st PLACE            $75    Tiffany Gomez                        Harker Wylie Elm. School        3th

 

4 – 6 Grade Division

 

3rd PLACE            $25    Emma Giordana                      Moorestown Friends School    6th

2nd PLACE            $50    Miranda Dotson                     Timothy Christian Academy     4th

1st PLACE            $75    Taylor Johns                           Moorestown Friends School    6th

 

7 - 9 Grade Division

 

3rd PLACE            $25    Spencer Weinstein             T. E. Harrington Middle School  8th

2nd PLACE            $50    Bryanna Wolstenholme      Timothy Christian Academy       8th

1st PLACE            $75    Erica Fenza                       Moorestown Friends School 9th                      

10 - 12 Grade Division

 

3rd PLACE            $25    Anna Leh                              Moorestown Friends School     12th

2nd PLACE            $50    Morgan Burgess                   Moorestown Friends School     12th

1st PLACE            $75    Julia Wu                                Moorestown High School         10th

State Poster Contest Place Winner

3rd PLACE Winner for the 10-12 Grade Division on the State Level - Julia Wu (Moorestown High School, 10th)

Burlington County Soil Conservation District's 2008 "Water is Life" Poster Contest Winners.

 

                            

 

 

 

Classroom Presentations

twotractors.jpgThe educational coordinator at the District can create and present environmentally sensitive material in your classroom, free of charge.  Even though the District focuses its attention on soil erosion, we can cater a program to meet your specific needs and topic.  Topics may include wildlife issues, water pollution and prevention, conservation issues, watersheds, soil and soil issues, just to name a few.

 The EcoScape ® watershed model is used in one program that focuses on watersheds and pollution.  This model and presentation can be used for students from grades 1-12 and is a good way to visibly see how we all contribute to the pollution problem. 

Reference materials for presentations may include lessons borrowed from Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, Project WET, and or Bridges to the Natural World.  Most presentations can be correlated to the New Jersey core curriculum content standards. 

If you are interested in scheduling a presentation or would like more information, please contact the District’s environmental coordinator

 

 

 2007 New Jersey State Forest Nursery

Tree Seedling Catalog

 

  • A New Jersey Forest Service program

  • Seedlings available in conifer and hardwood species

  • All public and private landowners are eligible

  • Minimum order is 100 seedlings per species, or one packet

  • orders accepted from December to April 1

  • Delivery/Pickup between March 15 and April 30

  • Visit the New Jersey Forestry Center for a downloadable PDF file of seedlings available, cost share opportunities, and information on other nursery programs such as seedling packets, third grade tree team, and acorn collection.

 

Conditions of Sale:

Trees can be sold only for legitimate reforestation projects including: planting for school conservation, aesthetic screening and improvement, air and noise pollution abatement, wildlife enhancement, erosion control, and lumber production in New Jersey.  Reforestation stock sold pursuant to this agreement may not be resold or removed from the property for ornamental use as living trees, or for use as Christmas trees, except for trees severed from the stump in thinning, provided there is no reduction in the initial acreage reforested.  Any person who violated the conditions of sale of this agreement shall reimburse the Department of Environmental Protection, NJ Forest Service herein ("the Department") for the value of the trees removed and any administrative costs incurred by the Department.  trees cannot be sold to any person who has violated a condition of sale of any prior Reforestation Agreement and Seedling Order form.  upon notifying of the landowner the time and date of compliance inspection, the Department ahs the right to enter the property and inspect the tree planting site.  Stock is guaranteed to be in good healthy conditions at the designated  pick-up point and time.  no responsibility is assumed or implied by the NJ Forest Service for health and condition of stock left at the pick-up point after the designated pick-up time.  NJ Forest Service reserves the right to substitute stock/prorate or cancel orders. 

 

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