Firman E. Bear Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society

02/12/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CKwNVa3JS/

It’s not too early to get started! In celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday, the Ewing Green Team and Environmental Commission have joined forces with the Mayor and Council, local busine…

02/12/2026

02/07/2026

Calling all emerging leaders across the nation to apply for USDA's 2026 Summer Intern Cohort! We're looking for individuals who demonstrate strong qualifications, character, and a commitment to public service.

🔗 Learn more, and apply by March 2, 2026: usda.gov/internships

10/09/2025

Do you care about the environment? Do you enjoy learning and connecting with other like-minded people? Are you looking for ways to help make positive change in your community? Sign up for the 2026 Rutgers Environmental Stewards program! The Rutgers Environmental Stewards Program brings regional experts to explain the science behind a wide variety of environmental topics and issues. No scientific background is needed! For more information, visit https://envirostewards.rutgers.edu/program-overview/annual-class/

09/14/2025

🌼 Not Weeds—Wildlife Food
What chemical companies call “weeds” are actually life-saving plants:

• Dandelions – first nectar for bees in early spring.
• Clover – rich pollen source, keeps lawns alive with pollinators.
• Violets – host plants for fritillary butterflies.

Every spray kills more than plants. It starves bees, butterflies, and the wildlife that depend on them.

🚫 Stop spraying. Let them bloom.
Your lawn can be a sanctuary, not a dead zone.

07/17/2025

For more than 100 million years, Atlantic sturgeon have navigated the lower reaches of the Delaware River. Now, with fewer than 250 spawning adults left, the genetically-unique Delaware River population of large, iconic fish is dangerously close to extinction. Of the ten northeast rivers that once hosted sturgeon spawning runs, only three still do: the Delaware, Hudson, and Kennebec.

Read about the threats to this ancient species--and how to help--in the recent State We're In column by New Jersey Conservation Foundation Executive Director Alison Mitchell: https://www.njconservation.org/atlantic-sturgeon/

06/17/2025

05/03/2025

05/03/2025

🦆 “DON’T TIDY THAT POND! 🦆 HERE’S WHY WILD EDGES SAVE DUCK FAMILIES” 🌿

A manicured pond might look neat to us, but to mama ducks, it’s a death trap. Ducks need messy edges—tall grasses, reeds, and native plants—to hide nests, protect ducklings, and dodge predators. Trim those banks, and you’re stripping their lifelines.

Why “wild” wins:
✅ Safe nests: Tall plants camouflage eggs from foxes and raccoons.
✅ Bug buffet: Pond edges swarm with insects and snails—duckling snacks!
✅ Clean water: Roots prevent erosion and filter pollutants.

How to help (without a swampy mess):
🔹 Leave a 3-5ft “wild zone” around the pond—no mowing or trimming!
🔹 Plant natives: Blue flag iris, bulrush, or pickerelweed = beauty + function.
🔹 Delay cleanup until fall: Avoid spring/summer nesting season.
🔹 Skip chemicals: Herbicides poison ducks and their food.
🔹 Add a duckling raft: A floating wood platform = safe nap spot!

💡 Pro tip: If you must tidy up, use hand clippers—not mowers—to spare nests!

Remember: A lively pond with quacking ducklings beats a sterile one any day. Let’s trade perfection for life! 💚

PS Spot a nest? Watch quietly—parent ducks panic if we get too close! 👀