Conservation Awards 

WORLD CONSERVATION AWARD

The World Conservation Award provides an opportunity for individual Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers to "think globally" and "act locally" to preserve and improve our environment. This program is designed to make youth members aware that all nations are closely related through natural resources and that we are interdependent with our world environment.

The Cub Scout version of the World Conservation Award can be earned by Wolf or Bear Cub Scouts, and by Webelos Scouts.  Requirements for the Cub Scout award are embedded within each program level advancement and elective requirements. Download the award application.

The Boy Scout version of the World Conservation Award can be earned by Boy Scouts or Varsity Scouts after they have earned a series of conservation merit badges. Download the award application.

The Venturer version of the World Conservation Award requires completion of the requirements the Ranger Ecology elective.  If you are interested in ecology, you can get credit for both the Ranger Award and the Venturing World Conservation Award. Download the award application.

CONSERVATION GOOD TURN AWARD

The Conservation Good Turn is an opportunity for Cub Scout packs, Boy Scout troops, Varsity Scout teams, and Explorer posts to join with conservation or environmental organization (federal, state, local, or private) to carry out a conservation Good Turn in their home communities. The Scouting unit contacts a conservation agency and offers to carry out a Good Turn project. The agency identifies a worthwhile and needed project that the unit can accomplish. Working together in the local community, the unit and the agency plan the details and establish the date, time, and location for carrying out the project.

Agencies to contact for project ideas:

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• U.S. Forest Service
• Bureau of Land Management
• National Park Service
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
• local City Works department
• Audobon Society
• Trout Unlimited

Some suggested projects could be:

• Plant shrubs to provide food and cover for wildlife.
• Conduct stream improvement projects to prevent erosion.
• Plant tree seedlings as part of a managed forestry plan.
• Assist a local agency with a trout stream restoration project.
• Develop a nature trail in a public park.

A Conservation Good Turn certificate [#21-389] is available at the council service center for units that participate and report on their efforts. Download the Conservation Good Turn Certificate Application

A Conservation Good Turn patch is also available for purchase at the council service center to recognize individual youth and adult members who participate in a meaningful conservation project. The patch can be worn as a temporary insignia or on the patch vest. [BSA Publication No. 21-386, 1994 Printing]

The William T. Hornaday Award is presented to individuals or units in recognition of distinguished service in conservation. 

There are seven forms of the award: certificate, badge, bronze medal, silver medal, gold certificate, gold badge, and gold medal. (The gold badge and gold medal are for adults.)

• The local council may present the William T. Hornaday unit certificate for a conservation project by a pack, troop, team, or crew.
• The council may award the Hornaday badge to individual Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, and Venturers for outstanding service in conservation.
• The council may award the Hornaday gold badge to adult Scouters who have given significant leadership to conservation at a council or district level.
• All other Hornaday Awards are conferred by the National Council:

Applicants for the awards work under the guidance of a local conservation professional or agency or with the help of a qualified layperson in conservation. The effort must meet a local or regional need and help arouse public recognition of the importance of adequate protection and management of air, soil, water, mineral, forest, grassland, wildlife, and energy resources with full consideration of environmental conservation.  Complete details and the Hornaday applications are available from National BSA.