Boy Scouts of America

Conservation Good Turn

Since 1910, conservation has been an integral part of the program of the Boy Scouts of America. The BSA has been a positive force in conservation and environmental efforts. Scouts have rendered distinguished public service by helping to conserve wildlife, energy, forests, soil, and water. Past generations of Scouts have been widely recognized for undertaking conservation Good Turn action projects in their local communities.

Scouts of today have grown up hearing words such as ecosystem, biodiversity, and climate change. They recognize the need for, and the benefits of, conserving natural resources. Scouts understand that we all must work together for the betterment of the land, forests, wildlife, air, and water.

Much has been accomplished in recent years by individual Scouts and through unit conservation Good Turns. Much more needs to be done.

To Earn The Conservation Good Turn Award

The Conservation Good Turn Award is an opportunity for Cub Scout packs, Scout troops and Venturing crews to join with conservation or environmental organizations (federal, state, local, or private) to carry out a conservation Good Turn in their home communities, camp properties, or on public lands.

  • The Scouting unit contacts a conservation organization, (or land manager, Camp Ranger or other appropriate official) and offers to carry out a Conservation Good Turn project.
  • The conservation organization identifies a worthwhile and needed project that the unit can accomplish.
  • Working together, the unit and the conservation organization plan the details and establish the date, time, and location for carrying out the project.
  • The Scout, Venturer, Sea Scout or Cub Scout earns the Conservation Good Turn Award by participating in the planned conservation project to the satisfaction of the unit leader.  Projects can be conducted in partnership with any conservation organization, land management agency, Council Conservation Committee, Camp Ranger or Ecology Program at a Scout Camp or Scouting Event.  Working with the unit to assist a Scout, Sea Scout or Venturer who is working to complete an approved BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award project is a suitable opportunity for earning the Conservation Good Turn Award.

     

Participating Agencies

Many federal agencies are resources for the BSA’s Conservation Good Turn. These agencies include:

  • U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service
  • Forest Service
  • Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service
  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • Fish and Wildlife Service
  • Bureau of Land Management
  • National Park Service
  • Geological Survey
  • Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • Bureau of Reclamation
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Most state natural resource agencies are also a resource for the BSA’s Conservation Good Turn Award.  Another source would be NGOs (non-governmental organization) that deal with conservation issues.

Recognitions

A Conservation Good Turn certificate is available at the council service center for units that participate and report on their efforts. A Conservation Good Turn patch is also available for purchase at the council service center to recognize individual youth and adult members who participate in a meaningful conservation project.

Project Ideas

Conservation and environmental organizations typically have a backlog of needed projects that they have been unable to carry out for lack of funding or volunteers. The list of possible Good Turn projects is limited only by the needs of the conservation organization and the willingness of the Scouting unit. In every community, whether urban, suburban, or rural, worthwhile projects await all Scouting units.

Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts

Cub Scouting conservation projects could involve the entire Cub Scout pack, or one den, plus adult leaders and family members. Hands-on projects help Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts realize that everyone can do things to care for the environment. Cub Scouts and Webelos Scouts participating in the Conservation Good Turn can also meet some advancement requirements. Suggested projects include, but are not limited to

  • Plant grasses, trees, shrubs, and ground cover to stop soil erosion.
  • As a den or pack, adopt a park. Remove litter and garbage from a favorite neighborhood recreation area or park.
  • Organize or participate in a recycling program in your neighborhood or visit a recycling center.
  • Arrange a natural resources awareness program. Invite natural resource professionals such as wildlife biologists, soil conservationists, foresters, or conservation officers to speak to your pack.
  • Participate in a beach or waterfront cleanup. Record the items collected and determine the possible harmful effects to wildlife. With youth participation, develop a plan to educate the public about the dangers posed to wildlife.
  • From a local, state, or national organization that is concerned about environmental protection, obtain suggestions for den and pack projects to improve the environment.
  • As a den or pack, visit a public utility to learn about the wise use of resources, and become involved in programs offered by utilities to help consumers conserve resources.
  • Contact the camp ranger or BSA local council property superintendent for information about camp needs and plans. Establish a nature trail, plant vegetation, or carry out other needed projects as requested by the camp ranger.

Scouts BSA, Venturing and Sea Scouts

Scouts participating in the Conservation Good Turn can meet certain rank and merit badge requirements. Troops, crews and ships should consider advancement requirements when selecting projects to carry out. Suggested projects include, but are not limited to:

  • Plant shrubs to provide food and cover for wildlife.
  • Build and set out bird and squirrel nesting boxes.
  • Conduct stream improvement projects to prevent erosion.
  • Plant grasses and legumes to provide ground cover in schoolyards, public parks, and recreation areas.
  • Plant tree seedlings as part of a managed forestry plan.
  • Help thin and prune woodlands in a managed tree improvement project.
  • With a local forester, take part in or conduct a forest fire prevention or hazardous fuel reduction program.
  • Develop a nature trail in a public park.
  • Assist a local forester in a tree insect- and disease-control or public education project.
  • Conduct a stream, river or lakeside trash collection project.
  • Assist a local agency with a trout stream restoration project.
  • Participate in a wildlife or wildfowl count.
  • Conduct a rodent-control and public health education program under the guidance of the local health department or agency responsible for rodent control
  • Conduct an invasive species (plant or animal) management project.
  • Install an erosion control practices on a hiking trail.
  • Conduct an Outdoor Ethics conservation project to minimize recreational impacts to a campsite.
  • Install or maintain a pollinator garden
  • Certificate Application 


 

Certificate Application

 

When project has been completed, submit the completed Conservation Good Turn Award Application to your local council service center.

 

              Conservation Good Turn Award Application

              Conservation Good Turn Award Application – Fillable

 

BSA Distinguished Conservation Awards

For Scouts and units that want to take their conservation work to a higher level, the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award program encourages and recognizes units, Scouts, Venturers Sea Scouts and Scouters who design, lead, and carry out conservation projects that are based on sound scientific principles and practices. The projects should contribute to sound conservation and long-term environmental improvement in the local community, the region, or the nation. The applicant is expected to research potential projects and to choose, with guidance from a conservation adviser, a worthy project from a recognized conservation category:

  • Energy conservation
  • Soil and water conservation
  • Fish and wildlife management
  • Forestry and range management
  • Air and water pollution control
  • Resource recovery (recycling)
  • Hazardous material disposal and management
  • Invasive species control

Three types of BSA Distinguished Conservation Service  Awards are available. The local council may present:

  • The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award

The National Council confers the other awards.

  • Adult Scouters may be nominated for the BSA Distinguished Conservationist.
  • Organizations unaffiliated with Scouting may be nominated for the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award certificate.

For more detailed information on the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Program, visit the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Program here.  

 

Bray Barnes

Director, Global Security Innovative
Strategies

Bray Barnes is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award, Silver
Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Learning for Life Distinguished
Service Award. He received the Messengers of Peace Hero award from
the royal family of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and he’s a life member of
the 101st Airborne Association and Vietnam Veterans Association. Barnes
serves as a senior fellow for the Global Federation of Competitiveness
Councils, a nonpartisan network of corporate CEOs, university presidents, and
national laboratory directors. He has also served as a senior executive for the
U.S. Department of Homeland Security, leading the first-responder program
and has two U.S. presidential appointments

David Alexander

Managing Member Calje

David Alexander is a Baden-Powell Fellow, Summit Bechtel Reserve philanthropist, and recipient of the Silver Buffalo and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the founder of Caljet, one of the largest independent motor fuels terminals in the U.S. He has served the Arizona Petroleum Marketers Association, Teen Lifeline, and American Heart Association. A triathlete who has completed hundreds of races, Alexander has also mentored the women’s triathlon team at Arizona State University.

Glenn Adams

President, CEO & Managing Director
Stonetex Oil Corp.

Glenn Adams is a recipient of the Silver Beaver, Silver Antelope, Silver Buffalo, and Distinguished Eagle Scout Award. He is the former president of the National Eagle Scout Association and established the Glenn A. and Melinda W. Adams National Eagle Scout Service Project of the Year Award. He has more than 40 years of experience in the oil, gas, and energy fields, including serving as a president, owner, and CEO. Adams has also received multiple service awards from the Texas Alliance of Energy Producers.