SEA SCOUT QUARTERMASTER PROJECT SUMMARY:
From Jan thru November of this past year, I was able to successfully lead our Ship 1942 in the assembly and installation of 20 Mono-Filament Recycling Tubes at five marinas across Northern Virginia. The installation of these recycling tubes was part of my Sea Scout Quartermaster project, and my BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award project. Three of the marinas were within the NOVA Parks system located at Fountainhead Marina, Occoquan Marina, and Bull Run Marina. The other two parks were part of the National Park Service located at the Washington Sailing Marina, and Fletcher’s Cove.
BSA DISTINGUISHED CONSERVATION AWARD PROJECT SUMMARY
My BSA Distinguished Conservation Service project was focused on the Air and Water Pollution Control Category. Mono-Filament fishing line was collected in these 20 recycling tubes during the summer of 2022, and I was able to collect 32 miles of fishing line. The line was shipped by West Marine (free of charge) to Berkley Institute in Iowa to be recycled. Overall, my project increased the number of recycling tubes from 8 tubes to 20 tubes, an increase of 150%. The largest impact came from the increase in line collected, from 1.68 miles in 2021 to 31.9 miles collected in 2022. An increase of 1,798%, or an 18-fold increase.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
Another key element of my BSA Distinguished Conservation Service project was to provide Community outreach. I attended five Community Events in order to educate and inform my Community, where over 850 people attended:
1) GREEN EXPO (Apr): 250 people attended at the Vienna Community Ctr.
2) Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, & Math (STEAM) (Apr)): A large event
where 380 – 400 people, with 28 exhibits at Laurel Ridge Middle School.
3) Student Environmental Action Showcase (SEAS) (May): George Mason Univ
Community Virtual Event with 40-50 attendees and 39 presentations.
4) 19th Annual GREEN Community Celebration (Jun): Shirlington Library Plaza,
in Arlington, VA. with150 attendees, 12 booths & electric cars/motorcycles.
5) NCAC Sea Scout Cub Scout Fishing Derby (Jun): Fountainhead Marina
where 52 Cub Scouts were taught fishing line recycling & fishing!
Below is the NOVA Regional Park Manager’s thank you note for my projects:
Dear Quinn,
“Thanks to your efforts, individuals and families visiting Fountainhead and Bull Run Marina can enjoy fishing as a recreational amenity of the park, while also being able to recycle their fishing line and preserve the important environmental resource we have in the Occoquan Reservoir”.
Sincerely, Kate Irwin, NOVA Regional Park Manager
