Conservationist, naturalist, outdoorswoman, and amazing scouter Carol Brown of the Old Dominion District was recently awarded the Hornaday Gold Badge. The BSA Hornaday Gold Badge is awarded by the local council to an adult Scouter or Venturing leader who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a council or district level for significant conservation efforts for a period of at least three years. Fewer than 60 scouters nationwide received this award in 2019 so it is a truly exceptional, coveted award. Ms. Brown is a tireless scouter, advisor, advocate, and counselor for scouts. Not only does she bring deep expertise and experience, but she also brings enthusiasm, energy, passion, and love of the outdoors to every task.
Below are excepts from her nomination letter:
Influence on youth and educational programs emphasizing sound stewardship of our nation’s natural resources for at least three years:
Ms. Brown has been counseling scouts in conservation-related merit badges such as Soil and Water Conservation, Environmental Science, Sustainability, Bird Study, Fish and Wildlife, Nature, Forestry, Insect Study, Mammal Study, and Reptile/Amphibian Study since 2009. She also teaches Environmental Issues and Plant and Animal Identification Skills and the Nature and Conservation section of the Old Dominion District’s Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills course. Part of the curriculum is introducing leaders to the conservation opportunities and awards available to scouts. She has been a member of the NCAC Conservation Committee since 2017 and the NCAC Outdoor Ethics Committee since 2018, attended the National William T. Hornaday Adviser training in 2018, became a Leave No Trace Trainer in 2018, and completed the TreadLightly Trainer course in 2019. Ms. Brown has co-taught the Hornaday Award course at the NCAC University of Scouting since 2018. Recently for the 50th anniversary of Earth Day (April 2020), she co-taught a lunch session about Hornaday Unit awards on Facebook live that has more than 1000 views. She advised one unit to earn the Hornaday Unit award, is currently advising two Hornaday Badge projects, and both of her sons earned Hornaday Badges. Regardless of the scouting activity Ms. Brown is leading, she teaches scouts and scouters to incorporate principles of the Outdoor Code into all aspects of scouting and into their lives.
Environmental improvement during a period of at least three years:
Ms. Brown worked with US Fish and Wildlife Service in Hawaii in wetlands conservation. She has participated in the Audubon Bird Census since 2005 and volunteered for the US Fish and Wildlife Service Volunteer since 2010. She conducts biological research including avian migration studies and census data. For Scouts BSA, Ms. Brown is an OA Vigil member and worked with the Old Dominion Chapter of the Order of the Arrow to serve as the conservation advisor on two Ordeals that focused on invasive plant species removal: Hemlock Regional Overlook Park (2018) and Camp Fraser (2019). She was the conservation adviser for an Eagle project in erosion control work at Hidden Pond in Fairfax County and has also advised three additional Eagle projects in the survey area of her son’s Hornaday project.
Please join me in congratulating Ms. Brown for this prestigious conservation award!!!!!!
