Nature
Merit Badge

NOTE: In any of the collection requirements, if collecting is permitted, do so ethically and sustainably. Scouts must remember to follow the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while on field trips and when collecting. Collect sparingly, only taking what you need, and ensure that your collection practices do not harm the surrounding environment. Make sure you have permission from the land manager prior to taking any samples for your collections and be aware of and adhere to local laws regarding collection. (Note that collecting is prohibited in most National and State Parks.) Consider purchasing rock, mineral and fossil specimens from commercial rock and mineral shops or from home garden stores. Pictures or sketches may suffice for a collection and limit impacted disturbances.
In most cases all specimens should be returned to the wild at the location of original capture after the requirements have been met. Check with your counselor for those instances where the return of these specimens would not be appropriate.

Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, some plants and animals are or may be protected by federal law. The same ones and/or others may be protected by state law. Be sure that you do not collect protected species.

Your state may require that you purchase and carry a license to collect certain species. Check with the wildlife and fish and game officials in your state regarding species regulations before you begin to collect.

NOTE: The official merit badge pamphlets are now free and downloadable HERE or can be purchased at the Scout Shop.

1. Name three ways in which plants are important to animals. Name a plant that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.
Resources: Why Animals Need Plants (video)
11 Plants That Use Animals to Do Their Dirty Work (website)

2. Name three ways in which animals are important to plants. Name an animal that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.
Resource: How Do Animals Help Plants? (4 Symbiotic Interactions) (website)

3. Explain the term "food chain." Give an example of a four-step land food chain and a four-step water food chain.
Resources: Food Chains and Food Webs (video)
Food Chains in the Everglades (video)

4. Do all the requirements in FIVE of the following fields:

5. Discuss the importance of the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code and how they relate to nature. Explain how you have followed the Leave No Trace Seven Principles and the Outdoor Code while in natural areas during field observation, specimen collection, and identification.
Resources: The Outdoor Code Explained (video)
What is Leave No Trace? (video)
Leave No Trace Basics (video)

6. Do the following:

7. Do ONE of the following: