Conservation

Webelos Conservation Project Was a Real Hoot!

November 27, 2019 by Dave Schneeman

On November 10, Webelos from Pack 1344 came out to Michael’s Woodshop to build owl boxes as a service project for Camp Snyder. In the process, they were given the opportunity to learn and practice some basic woodworking skills. With assistance and guidance from two volunteer Shop Stewards, parents and their Den Chief, these Webelos learned basic shop safety rules, how to read working drawings, measuring and marking skills, how to use a hammer and nail punch and they even got to install some hinges. As the boxes began to take shape, so did their smiles. At the end of the session, the Webelos had created six awesome owl boxes. After watching this “normally active bunch” stay focused and engaged for over 2 hours, their Den Leader described it as “a truly awesome experience”.

Scouts and other volunteers will continue this conservation project on future Camp Snyder Service Days by installing these owl boxes throughout the camp and maintaining them in the coming years. Many similar conservation projects are available – Scouts recently installed four bluebird boxes at camp with several more to go. If you would like to learn more about conservation and other service projects at Camp Snyder, upcoming Service Days or to arrange for group projects, please email us at CWBS.Volunteers@gmail.com.

Michael’s Woodshop at Camp William B. Snyder is a hands-on work space that was designed for use by Scouts of all ages to create and learn. From Baloo the Builder activities to Eagle Scout Projects, our group of volunteer Shop Stewards can help you organize and carry out successful events. Michael’s Woodshop may be reserved for Unit activities, District events and many other Scouting activities. To learn more about shop capabilities, upcoming events and reserving the shop please visit the Camp Snyder website or email us at MichaelsWoodshop.CWBS@gmail.com.

Hornaday Project Earns Eagle Scout the County’s Most Prestigious Environmental Award

November 27, 2019 by Sara Holtz

Scout John Foong of Troop 159 in Powhatan District received the prestigious Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award from Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) for his outstanding environmental leadership while working toward his Hornaday Badge/Eagle project. He single-handedly orchestrated 9 work days over a two-year period during which approximately 310 volunteers worked more than 540 hours to pull about 250 bags of invasive plant Japanese stiltgrass from Frying Pan Farm Park. He also planted over 100 native plants in their place.

His volunteers came from 10 Fairfax County Public Schools, BSA, Girl Scouts, and Fairfax and Loudoun counties, and ranged in age from 5 to 80. He also educated the public at 13 public events including the park’s annual Farm Day, the county’s annual SpringFest, farmers markets, and his town’s monthly art events. These efforts earned him a BSA Hornaday Badge. Hornaday Awards were created to recognize those that have made significant contributions to conservation.

US Congressman Gerry Connolly presented the award to John at a ceremony attended by several Fairfax County Supervisors, members of the FCPA Board, members of the Fairfax County Park Foundation board, FCPA staff, local conservationists and environmentalists, and FCPA volunteers.

John’s project by the numbers:
13 education events
9 work days
~250 bags of stiltgrass
~310 volunteers
~540 service hours

John partnered with Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area (IMA) program, a community-based project designed to reduce invasive plants on our parklands. This program gives volunteers an opportunity to connect with like-minded people while taking care of natural resources.

The Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award was established by the Park Authority Board on November 14, 2007, in recognition of Sally B. Ormsby’s many years of service as a citizen steward. Her actions promoted the responsible and sustainable management of natural resources. These precious assets are entrusted to the Park Authority’s care by the residents of this community. Through stewardship we protect these treasures now and for generations to come. This award recognizes individuals and organizations whose actions embody the spirit and values of stewardship and result in tangible environmental benefits. The Sally Ormsby Environmental Stewardship Award is open to individuals and groups whose actions embody the spirit of environmental stewardship and provide tangible environmental benefits to Fairfax County parks.

Congratulations to John for this incredible achievement!

Photographer- Sara Holtz

Hornaday Badge Project “Evicting the Invaders”

November 12, 2019 by Sara Holtz

Approximately 5000 sq ft of invasive plant on the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail.

Every Saturday and Sunday in October, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, college students, and neighborhood homeowners pulled invasive plants, primarily, pachysandra, from a section of the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail off Miller Heights Road in Oakton. Eli Edwards, a Scout in BSA Troop 987 led the project with support from Hornaday advisor Sara Holtz and sponsor Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area (IMA) program. Invasive plants are non-native, aggressive plants that cause ecological or economic harm and degrade our natural ecosystem.

99 volunteers worked 210 hours to remove 85 bags of invasive plants from the park land. The goal was to replace the pachysandra with native plants and trees. Volunteers planted white wood aster, hairy bush clover, American alumroot, trailing bush clover, dwarf cinquefoil, pussytoes, arrowleaf violet, common wood rush, Pennsylvania sedge, bluestem,

Replace invasive plant with 110 native plants and trees.

goldenrod, arrowwood viburnum, witch hazel, hazelnut trees, ironwood trees, and redbud trees. Eli created the plan for this project in order to earn the BSA Hornaday Badge. This award was created by Dr. William T. Hornaday who was a conservationist and is a prestigious award that requires a Scout to lead a conservation project, complete several merit badges, and meet rank requirements. By successfully completing this project he is one step closer to earning the Boy Scout Hornaday Badge. Eli encourages homeowners to remove any invasive plants in your yard and replace with native plants (see list above).

– Eli Edwards

Exploring Post on the Bay

September 5, 2019 by Stephen Donnelly

Clean the Chesapeake and the BSA are pleased to announce a new Exploring Post program to help restore the Chesapeake Bay!

This is an opportunity to participate in a brand new, conservation themed Exploring Post for high school age youth that will be dedicated to Chesapeake oyster restoration. This is a chance to be a part of something new and to make a difference in our environment. The organization, One Montgomery Green, is sponsoring the Post. Participants will learn about oyster management, water quality, boating, local partnerships, and more. Who loves oysters?

This program engages teens through a unique year-long project. Youth will gain hands-on experience related to careers in in science, conservation, resource management and advocacy.

Interested? Contact Post Advisor: Reuven Walder (301) 802-7038 or info@cleanthechesapeake.org
or District Executive: Stephen Donnelly, Stephen.Donnelly@Scouting.org

Scouts for Conservation

June 26, 2019 by Sara Holtz

Scouts displayed their conservation projects as part of the Sustainable Garden Tour hosted the weekend of June 9 by the Northern Virginia Soil and Water Conservation District. The annual garden tour features homes, churches, schools, and libraries with native plant landscaping, rain barrels, wildlife habitat, composting, rain gardens, and grass-free front yards.

One Eagle Scout presented his Hornaday Badge project and Eagle project to remove invasive plants at South Run Rec Center in Springfield, Virginia. He led an effort to mobilize volunteers to remove invasive vines and plants. Invasive plants are plants that are non-native and spread so quickly and aggressively that they prevent native plants from growing. The Fairfax County Park Authority’s Invasive Management Area (IMA) program coordinates site leaders at over 60 sites throughout Fairfax County.

Another other Eagle Scout discussed his project to remove highly-invasive Japanese stiltgrass at Frying Pan Farm Park in Herndon, Virginia. He orchestrated several work days for Scouts and the public. During the second phase of his project, he led volunteers to plant common milkweed and other native plants in the area where the stiltgrass had been removed. This project also collaborated with the IMA program and helped the Scout earn the a Hornaday Award in addition to his Eagle Scout Award.

This garden tour provided an excellent opportunity for Scouts to educate the public, advocate for environmental action, and showcase some of the amazing conservation service projects led by Scouts.

Ashburn Troop 997 Earns Hornaday Award

May 1, 2019 by Rich Pender

Recently we shared a story about an Eagle project Tapp Rhoads was leading, and Troop 997’s efforts to help Tapp achieve his goals. The project was to install and maintain a series of Mallard Nesting Tubes around the local community. After the project was completed, Hornaday Advisor Sara Holtz reviewed it and found it met the criteria of both significant scope and sustainable impact. Since over 75% of Troop 997 Scouts participated in the project, we learned last week that the Troop had earned the prestigious Hornaday Unit Award for its efforts.

The National Capital Area Council (NCAC) Hornaday Committee recently created a patch for Scouts participating in a Hornaday Unit Award project, honoring the legacy of William Hornaday and his work with the Smithsonian Institution and his efforts to save the American Bison from extinction. Scouts BSA Troop 997 is the first Troop to earn this newly designed award patch.