Soil and Water Conservation

Soil and Water Conservation BSA Supply No. 33291

Conservation isn't just the responsibility of soil and plant scientists, hydrologists, wildlife managers, landowners, and the forest or mine owner alone. It is the duty of every person to learn more about the natural resources on which our lives depend so that we can help make sure that these resources are used intelligently and cared for properly.

Requirements

1. Do the following:
   1. Tell what soil is. Tell how it is formed.
   2. Describe three kinds of soil. Tell how they are different.
   3. Name the three main plant nu�trients in fertile soil. Tell how they can be put back when used up.
2. Do the following:
   1. Define soil erosion.
   2. Tell why it is important. Tell how it affects you.
   3. Name three kinds of soil erosion. Describe each.
   4. Take pictures or draw two kinds of soil erosion.
3. Do the following:
   1. Tell what is meant by conservation practices.
   2. Describe the effect of three kinds of erosion-control practices.
   3. Take pictures or draw three kinds of erosion-control practices.
4. Do the following:
   1. Explain what a watershed is.
   2. Outline the smallest watershed that you can find on a �contour map.
   3. Then outline on your map, as far as possible, the next larger watershed which also has the smallest in it.
   4. Explain what a river basin is. Tell why all people living in it should be concerned about land and water use in it.
5. Do the following:
   1. Make a drawing to show the hydrologic cycle.
   2. Show by demonstration at least two of the following actions of water in relation to soil: percolation, capillary action, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration.
   3. Explain how removal of vegetation will affect the way water runs off a watershed.
   4. Tell how uses of forest, range, and farm land affect usable water supply.
   5. Explain how industrial use affects water supply.
6. Do the following:
   1. Tell what is meant by water pollution.
   2. Describe common sources of water pollution and explain the effects.
   3. Tell what is meant by "primary water treatment," "secondary waste treatment," and "biochemical oxygen demand."
   4. Make a drawing showing the principles of complete waste treatment.
7. Do TWO of the following:
   1. Make a trip to two of the following places. Write a report of more than 500 words about the soil and water and energy conservation practices you saw.�
      1. An agricultural experiment�
      2. A managed forest or woodlot, range, or pasture
      3. A wildlife refuge or a fish or game management area
      4. A conservation-managed farm or ranch
      5. A managed watershed
      6. A waste-treatment plant
      7. A public drinking water treatment plant
      8. An industry water use installation
      9. A desalinization plant
   2. Plant 100 trees, bushes, and/or vines for a good purpose.
   3. Seed an area of at least 1/5 acre for some worthwhile con�servation purpose, using suitable grasses or legumes alone or in a mixture.
   4. Study a soil survey report. Describe the things in it. On tracing paper over any of the soil maps, outline an area with three or more different kinds of soil. List each kind of soil by full name and map symbol.
   5. Make a list of places in your neighborhood, camps, school ground, or park that have erosion, sedimentation, or pollution problems. Describe how these could be corrected through individual or group action.
   6. Carry out any other soil and water conservation project �ap�proved by your merit badge counselor.

Resources

Scouting Literature

Animal Science, Backpacking, Environmental Science, Farm Mechanics, Fish and Wildlife Management, Gardening, Landscape Architecture, Nature, Oceanography, Orienteering, and Plant Science merit badge pamphlets

Books

• Bramwell, Martyn. The Environment and Conservation. Prentice Hall, 1992.
• Crawford, Leslie, Cathy Anderson (ed.). Water Conservation (Environmental Action). Dale Seymour Publications, 1997.
• DeGalan, Julie, and Bryon Middlekauff. Great Jobs for Environmental Studies Majors. McGraw-Hill, 2002.
• de Villiers, Marq. Water: The Fate of Our Most Precious Resource. Mariner Books, 2001.
• Doyle, Kevin, et al. The Complete Guide to Environmental Careers in the 21st Century. Island Press, 1998.
• Fradkin, Philip L. A River No More: The Colorado River and the West. University of California Press, 1996.
• Horton, Tom. Turning the Tide: Saving the Chesapeake Bay. Island Press, 1991.
• Leinwand, Gerald. The Environment (American Issues). Facts on File, 1990.
• Lucas, Eileen. Naturalists, Conservationists, and Environmentalists (American Profiles). Facts on File, 1994.
• --------. Water: A Resource in Crisis. Children's Press, 1991.
• McLeish, Ewan. Keeping Water Clean. Steck-Vaughn, 1998. For younger readers.
• Morgan, Royston P. Soil Erosion and Conservation, 2nd. ed. Addison-Wesley, 1996.
• Rothfeder, Jeffrey. Every Drop for Sale: Our Desperate Battle Over Water in a World About to Run Out. Tarcher, 2001.
• Winckler, Suzanne, and Mary Rodgers. Our Endangered Planet: Soil. Lerner Publications, 1994. For younger readers.
• Symons, James M. Plain Talk About Drinking Water. American Water Works Association, 1992.

Organizations and Web Sites

Chesapeake Bay Program
410 Severn Avenue
Suite 109
Annapolis, MD 21403
Toll-free telephone: 800-YOUR-BAY
Fax: 410-267-5777
Web site: http://www.chesapeakebay.net

The Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) is a "regional partnership that has led and directed the restoration [of the Bay] since 1983." Program partners include the EPA, the District of Columbia, the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and the Chesapeake Bay Commission, comprised of government and citizen representatives from these three states. The CBP's focus is on restoring the Bay's living aquatic resources. Its achievements include the restoration of fisheries and habitat, reduction in toxic and nutrient pollution, and scientific advancements. The web site offers Bay news and information, including travel tips, upcoming CBP meetings, and notes on restoration progress.

EnviroLink Network
P.O. Box 8102
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Web site: http://www.envirolink.org

The EnviroLink Network provides access to thousands of online environmental resources, including those on agriculture, ecosystems, ground pollution, waste management, water quality, and more.

Environmental Protection Agency
Ariel Rios Building
1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Mail Code 3213A
Washington, DC 20460
Telephone: 202-260-2090
Web site: http://www.epa.gov

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Web site has a lot of information to explore about our environment and conservation and pollution issues. In the "Student Center" section that covers conservation issues (http://www.epa.gov/ students/conserva.htm), for instance, you can download software with information about soil erosion and how to prevent it, and you can "Surf Your Watershed"--which helps you find and learn about the watershed where you live.

Natural Resources Conservation Service
Attn: Conservation Communications Staff
P.O. Box 2890
Washington, DC 20013
Telephone: 202-720-3210
Fax: 202-720-1564
Web site: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture also has an information-packed Web site. For example, "S. K. Worm," the official annelid (worm) of the NRCS, can teach you a lot about soil ("S. K." stands for "scientific knowledge").

Soil and Water Conservation Society
945 SW Ankeny Road
Ankeny, IA 50021-9764
Telephone: 515-289-2331
Fax: 515-289-1227
Web site: http://www.swcs.org

The Soil and Water Conservation Society "fosters the science and the art of soil, water and related natural resource management to achieve sustainability. We promote and practice an ethic recognizing the interdependence of people and the environment." Browse their Web site and find a list of publications, educational resources, and "Soil Resources on the Web" (http://www.swcs.org/f_pubs_education.htm).