At the October 5, 2023 meeting of PSPA, President Arland Hochkiss introduced three of his colleagues from Scouting – Scout Executive Dan Templar, Conservation Committee Chair Bob Hartman, and Tom Leidy from the Cradle of Liberty Council of Philadelphia.

BSA has had six merit badges for some time now that are related to conservation: Animal Science, Forestry, Pulp and Paper, Soil and Water Conservation, Environmental Science, and Fish and Wildlife Management but more recently has added World Conservation, National Outdoor Badge, Conservation Good Turn, Keep America Beautiful Hometown USA, National Park Service Scout Ranger Program, and Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Awards…designed to provide multiple knowledge and skills about conservation.

Hartman talked about BSA success with USDA Natural Resources Conservation Resources grants for Musser Scout Reservation in Green Lane, PA and Resica Falls Scout Reservation near East Stroudsburg, PA. Both camps are protected by Nature Conservancy Trusts with the grants funding good forest management programs while at the same time providing scout camping and STEM opportunities.  Their efforts have been recognized by the US Forest Service, National Resource Conservation Service, Cornell, and Penn State Universities.

Their projects have addressed spotted lantern fly mitigation, forest management, bird habitats, invasive plants, deer management, wildlife cover, pollinator, trail restoration, interpretive signage, and others.

Click here to see Mr. Hartman’s slides.