On Saturday, September 27, the Barnegat Bay Partnership, Ocean County Soil Conservation District, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension hosted the 2025 Jersey Friendly Yards Conference under the theme “Don’t Let These Garden Visitors Bug You!”. The program, spearheaded by the BBP’s Stewardship Specialist Caroline McFarland, kicked off with welcome remarks followed by two keynote presentations that deepened attendees’ understanding of the essential (yet underappreciated) roles that beneficial insects play in our yards.
Dr. Daniel Duran, a faculty member with the Department of Environmental Science at Rowan University (and naturalist at Scotland Run Park) opened the day with a talk on the importance of beneficial insects and how to encourage them in home gardens. Dr. Duran, who has described and named 17 new species of insects, shared his insights into the pollination, decomposition, and pest regulation that beneficial insects provide.
Sabrina Tirpak, Principal Laboratory Technician at Rutgers Plant Diagnostic Laboratory, followed with an engaging presentation on bark and ambrosia beetles, shedding light on the complex relationships between insects, fungi, and trees.
Both speakers offered practical, science-based insights that resonated deeply with attendees.
In addition to the presentations, the conference featured a native plant sale that allowed participants to take home plants well suited to New Jersey’s environment. Nurseries in attendance included Earth First Native Plant Nursery, Steven Kristoph Nursery, Toadshade Wildflower Farm (also offering seeds), Pinelands Direct Nursery, The Little Plant Company, and the Master Gardeners of Ocean County. This marketplace of local, ecologically mindful options strengthened the link between knowledge and action, letting participants take direct steps toward creating “Jersey-Friendly” landscapes in their own yards.
Organized through the Jersey Friendly Yards program with support from the Barnegat Bay Partnership, the Ocean County Soil Conservation District, and Rutgers Cooperative Extension, the conference demonstrated the power of collaboration in promoting sustainable landscaping. Attendees left inspired to transform their own yards into spaces that support pollinators, improve soil health, and protect local waterways.
A critical part of the Barnegat Bay Partnership’s mission involves reducing the “people” pollution carried from yards by stormwater runoff into our waterways. BBP and its partners have led numerous initiatives to reduce this type of pollution, from educating about responsible fertilizer use and the benefits of native plants to developing healthy soil standards and installing rain gardens. The Jersey Friendly Yards program offers residential, municipal, and school certifications to those who complete the 8 Steps to a Jersey Friendly Landscape. By becoming “Jersey-Friendly Certified”, individuals are able to contribute to a reduction in nutrient loading and pollution entering the Barnegat Bay.
The success of this year’s event reflects a growing movement in New Jersey toward environmentally conscious gardening. With continued community engagement and education, the Jersey Friendly Yards program is helping residents turn small changes at home into lasting benefits for the region’s ecosystems.
