Scouting and Conservation
Background
The conservation program emphasis is designed to incorporate throughout
the Scouting program and activities an awareness and understanding of conservation
as wise and intelligent management of natural resources.
The development of good citizens is one of Scouting's aims, and citizens
need to practice sound environmental living and conservation of natural resources.
There is need for an extended program that will encourage young people to
- Look at the entire process of resource use
- Analyze how actions and judgments often create problems
- Understand decision making processes related to the environment
- Seek out common sense methods that can be applied at home, in the
community, in the state, and in the nation
- Help improve the quality of life
This emphasis is directed toward making all those active in Scouting—youth,
adult members, and their families—aware of their responsibility for the future.
There is an increasing awareness that Scouting members and other individuals
are an integral part of their environment and that their action or in action
affects the quality of life throughout this nation and the world.
Personal experience teaches the most lasting lessons. The conservation
program emphasis has been developed to create a positive commitment to improving
the environment and conserving natural resources through first-hand experiences
and "learning by doing."
Program Emphasis
Because Scouting's youth generally have an active interest in the outdoors,
they possess a ready curiosity that can be expanded. These young people can
find their own answers, learn how to make sound judgments, and find social
and environmental significance in actions that they undertake.
Every Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, and Venturer—and their units—can
join in so that 100 percent of Scouting's members can become committed to
the importance of conservation.
Backcountry Use
All private or publicly owned backcountry land and designated wilderness
areas are included in the term "backcountry areas." The Outdoor Code of the
Boy Scouts of America applies to outdoor behavior generally, but for treks
into backcountry or wilderness areas, the principles of Leave No Trace apply.
Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers who complete the requirements can earn
a Leave No Trace patch. Within the outdoor program of the Boy Scouts of America,
there are many different camping skill levels. Camping practices that are
appropriate for day outings, long-term Scout camp, or short-term unit camping
may not apply to wilderness areas. Wherever they go, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts
and Venturers need to adopt attitudes and patterns of behavior that respect
the rights of others and make it possible for others and future generations
to enjoy the outdoors.
In wilderness areas, it is crucial to minimize our effect on all ecosystems,
such as mountains, lakes, streams, deserts, and seashores. Since our impact
varies from one season to the next, it becomes important for us to adjust
to these changing conditions to avoid damaging the environment.
Conservation Good Turn
The conservation Good Turn is an opportunity for Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout
troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Venturing crews to join with conservation
and environmental organizations (federal, state, local, and private) to carry
out a conservation Good Turn in their home communities. A new conservation
Good Turn emphasis was launched in January 1995 and is ongoing. These organizations
typically have a backlog of necessary projects that they have been unable
to carry out because of lack of funding or volunteers. The list of projects
is limited only by the willingness of the Scouting unit.
William T. Hornaday Award
The William T. Hornaday
Award is presented to individuals or units in recognition of distinguished
service in conservation. There are seven forms of the award: certificate,
badge, bronze medal, silver medal, gold certificate, gold badge, and gold
medal. Applicants for the awards work under the guidance of a local conservation
professional or agency or with the help of a qualified lay person in conservation.
The effort must meet a local or regional need and help arouse public recognition
of the importance of adequate protection and management of air, soil, water,
mineral, forest, grassland, wildlife, and energy resources with full consideration
of environmental conservation. Young men who have earned the Eagle Scout
rank should consider striving to earn a Hornaday medal. Hornaday applications
may be downloaded from the BSA Web site.
World Conservation Award
The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub
Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to "think globally" and
"act locally" to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed
to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through
natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment.
Council Action
Each council should have a conservation committee. It may be a separate
committee with authority, accountable to the executive board; or it maybe
a subcommittee of the council's camping committee. It should include representation
of three qualifications in its membership: local conservation and environmental
professionals from state or federal agencies or college or university faculties;
lay people representing local environmental organizations os local chapters
of national organizations; and active Scouters with an intense interest in
conservation.
The conservation committee should prepare and regularly update the council's
master conservation plan. It should also supervise the ongoing activities
of natural resource management called for in the plan. This includes identifying
and prioritizing projects that range from individual boy or unit projects
to major development needs affecting all council properties. Finally, the
committee should seek ways to encourage and publicize activities by individuals
and units that further the cause of conservation.
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