Conservation Awards & Programs

National Conservation Awards

BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Program

What a Council Needs to Provide for the award

BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Toolbox for Council Conservation Committees

The Distinguished Conservation Service Award – for Scouts BSA, Venturers and Sea Scouts – is a Council administered award. This ‘toolbox’ contains a set of documents to be used as references to assist a Council in developing their own Award implementation policies and procedures.

Some Councils may not have an established Council Conservation Committee. Instead, they may rely on the Council Advancement & Recognition Committee – or perhaps the Council Outdoor Program Committee. Whatever a Council decides, a core requirement is the designation of the contact for which Award applications are provided, and who organizes the Council Distinguished Conservation Service Award Board of Review.

The documents in this toolbox includes:

  1. An overview PowerPoint presentation that can be used by the Council to explain policies and procedures.
  2. The presentation contains the necessary information to administer the program.
  3. The presentation can be used by Scouts BSA, Venturers, Sea Scouts, Scouters and parents to become familiar with the Award requirements and review process.
  4. A Conservation Project Process is provided to show the Award review process.
  5. People learn in different ways – so a walkthrough sometimes helps. Note that the handout is accomplished twice – once for each project.
  6. A Distinguished Conservation Service Award Workbook Comparison to the Eagle Scout workbook is provided for further understanding of the unique requirements.
  7. It provides guidance for those scouts using their Eagle Scout project for the Distinguished Conservation Service Award.
  8. A view of the Distinguished Conservation Service Award project workbook includes:
  • Understanding and applying the science underlying the selected natural resource conservation issue
  • Developing alternatives and selecting one
  • Education
  • Public communication
  • Assessment of success
  • Future sustainment
  1. A Project Proposal Evaluation is provided to help everyone with the development, review, and ultimate approval of the Distinguished Conservation Service Award project proposal.
  2. It will aid Councils in developing their own policies and procedures for review, feedback, and approval of the project proposal. The alternatives include, but are not limited to:
  3. A meeting to have the Scouts BSA, Venturer, Sea Scout present their project proposal and respond to questions (in person or virtual).
  4. A document review by the designated Council Conservation Committee members and chair – or other designated Council volunteer staff.
  5. A Project Plan Evaluation is provided for use according to Council policies and procedures. It will:
  6. Help ensure alignment with the approved project proposals
  7. This document can help the project and/or conservation adviser work with the candidate.
  8. Help ensure the Candidate has the best information, resources, and approach available to minimize frustration, ensure safe accomplishment, achieve stated objectives, and reflect well on the Candidate and the Distinguished Conservation Service Award.
  9. Two Board of Review Guides are provided for final review of the Distinguished Conservation Service Award:
  10. One for Scouts BSA            
  11. One for Venturers & Sea Scouts. The Council should establish procedures for receiving the Award application – and accomplishing the Board of Review.
  12. A checklist is also included.

Get the resource documents

YouTube Video Scouter Stan – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm2msGaiJIs

World Conservation Award

The Conservation Good Turn Award

National Outdoor Badge–Conservation (Section)

  • Conservation. A Scout, Sea Scout, or Venturer may earn the National Outdoor Badge for Conservation upon successfully completing the following requirements:
  • Earn the First Class rank, Sea Scout Apprentice rank, or complete Venturing Ranger Award requirements 1-6.
  • Demonstrate the safe use of five of the following conservation tools: pick or pickax; shovel or spade; ax; bow saw; cross-cut saw; prybar; sledge hammer; loppers or shears; fire rake or McLeod; and/or Pulaski. Discuss the ethical use of the tools you chose.
  • Complete the requirements for the following:
  • Environmental Science merit badge or Sustainability merit badge or both Venturing Ranger Conservation core and Ecology elective
  • Soil and Water Conservation merit badge
  • One of the following merit badges: Fish and Wildlife Management, Forestry, or Mammals
  • Complete 25 hours of conservation work under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America, including hours worked as part of requirements 1 through 3.
  • A gold device may be earned for each additional 25 hours of conservation work. A silver device is earned for each additional 100 hours of conservation work (for example, the first silver device is earned at 125 total hours of conservation work). Youth may wear any combination of devices totaling his or her current number of hours of conservation work.

Scout Ranger Program

The Resource Stewardship Scout Ranger program is a partnership between the National Park Service and the Boy Scouts of America. The program invites Scouts and Cub Scouts to participate in educational and/or volunteer service projects at national park sites. These activities spark their awareness of the national parks and provide Scouts with the opportunity to explore their national parks and learn more about protecting our natural and cultural resources. Scouts are awarded certificates and/or patches after meeting certain requirements of the program.

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/youthprograms/scout-ranger.html