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Begin your Hornaday Award Journey Here!
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Think of It as an Olympic Medal
Bestowed by the Earth

Conservation and the Boy Scouts of America have been partners for a long time. Camping, hiking, and respect for the outdoors are a part of the Scouting heritage. Many of the requirements for advancement from Tenderfoot through Eagle Scout rank call for an increasing awareness and understanding of the natural sciences. Many former Scouts have become leaders in conserving our environment and protecting it from abuse. Right now Scouts are involved in learning about environmental problems and actively working to make a difference.

This awards program was created to recognize those that have made significant contributions to conservation. It was begun in 1917 by Dr. William T. Hornaday, director of the New York Zoological Park and founder of the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Dr. Hornaday was an active and outspoken champion of natural resource conservation and a leader in saving the American bison from extinction. He named the award the Wildlife Protection Medal. Its purpose was to challenge Americans to work constructively for wildlife conservation and habitat protection. After his death in 1938, the award was renamed in Dr. Hornaday's honor and became a Boy Scouts of America award.

In the early 1970s, the present awards program was established with funding help from the DuPont Company. At that time, the late Dr. Hornaday's idea of conservation was broadened to include environmental awareness.

The Hornaday Awards are highly prized by those who have received them: Only slightly more than a thousand medals have been awarded over the past 70 years. These awards represent a substantial commitment of time and energy by individuals who have learned the meaning of a conservation/environmental ethic. Any Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer willing to devote the time and energy to work on a project based on sound scientific principles and guided by a conservation professional or a well-versed layperson can qualify for one of the Hornaday Awards. Any of the awards will take months to complete, so activities should be planned well in advance.

The fundamental purpose of the Hornaday Awards program is to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment. Understanding and practicing sound stewardship of natural resources and environmental protection strengthens Scouting's emphasis on respecting the outdoors. The goal of this awards program is to encourage and recognize truly outstanding efforts undertaken by Scouting units, Scouts and Venturers, adult Scouters, and other individuals, corporations, and institutions that have contributed significantly to natural resource conservation and environmental protection.

How Do I Earn a Hornaday Medal?

Since 1917, about 1,100 Hornaday medals have been awarded. The Wild Life Protection Fund was a forerunner to the Hornaday Awards. Dr. William T. Hornaday, an ardent conservationist, established this awards program to recognize Scouts who undertook and completed truly exceptional conservation projects. Earning one is hard work—it is supposed to be—but it's worth it.

A good idea is to start with the badge and then work up to the bronze or silver medal. You must be a First Class Scout or a Venturer, and you must have a conservation adviser. Then you do your homework to fulfill the advancement requirements and conservation projects you want to complete.

The following merit badges and project categories are the building blocks for a Scout to earn a Hornaday Award. See the Hornaday application for the Venturing requirements.

*FOR THE HORNADAY BADGE, Scouts earn three of the merit badges listed above in boldface, plus any two others. Then plan, lead, and carry out a significant project in natural resource conservation, from one of the project categories listed.

*FOR THE HORNADAY BRONZE MEDAL, Scouts earn the Environmental Science merit badge and at least three additional merit badges listed above in boldface, plus any two others. Then plan, lead, and carry out three significant projects from three separate categories listed.

*FOR THE HORNADAY SILVER MEDAL, Scouts earn all the merit badges listed above in boldface, plus any three others. Then plan, lead, and carry out four significant projects in natural resource conservation or environmental improvements, one each from four of the eight project categories listed.

An "Olympics of Conservation"

There are several different Hornaday awards. (The gold badge and gold medal are for adults.) Think of them as an "olympics of conservation," with an ever-increasing scale of challenge.

The award is given in one of seven forms.

• 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:

• Scouts and Venturers may apply for the bronze and silver medals.
• Adult Scouters may be nominated for the gold medal.
• Organizations unaffiliated with Scouting may be nominated for the gold certificate.

William T. Hornaday Unit Award

A Hornaday unit certificate, No. 21-110, is awarded to a pack, troop, team, or crew of five or more Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers for a unique, substantial conservation project. At least 60 percent of registered unit members must participate. At least 60 percent of the registered unit members must participate. These units may be nominated, or they may apply to their BSA local council for recognition.

William T. Hornaday Badge

The Hornaday badge is awarded, upon approval of the local council, to a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer for outstanding service to conservation and environmental improvement.

The Requirements

1. Earn First Class rank (Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts only).
2. Plan, lead, and carry out at least one project from one of the following categories:
   • Energy conservation
   • Soil and water conservation
   • Fish and wildlife management
   • Forestry and range management
   • Air and water pollution control
   • Resource recovery (recycling)
   • Hazardous material disposal and management
   • Invasive species control
3. Complete the requirements for any three merit badges listed in bold type on the application, plus any other two listed there.

Venturers must attach a statement from their Advisor stating that ecology and plant and wildlife requirements for the Ranger Award have been satisfied.

Applicants meeting all requirements receive a certificate, No. 21-111, and the William T. Hornaday badge.

William T. Hornaday Bronze or Silver Medal

These individual awards are granted by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America to a Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer for exceptional and distinguished service to conservation and environmental improvement.

The Requirements

1. Earn First Class rank (Boy Scouts/Varsity Scouts only).
2. For the bronze medal: Plan, lead, and carry out three projects from three separate categories listed below. For the silver medal: Plan, lead, and carry out four projects from four separate categories.
   All projects are to be planned and carried out in a way that encourages others to understand and appreciate sound conservation and environmental practices. Exacting standards of project documentation must be met. (See "How Applications Are Judged")
   • Energy conservation
   • Soil and water conservation
   • Fish and wildlife management
   • Forestry and range management
   • Air and water pollution control
   • Resource recovery (recycling)
   • Hazardous material disposal and management
   • Invasive species control
3. Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts: Earn the Environmental Science merit badge. For the bronze medal, earn at least three more merit badges listed in bold type on the application, plus any two other merit badges listed there. For the silver medal, earn all six merit badges in bold and any other three listed on the application.

Venturers must complete the ecology and plant and wildlife requirements for the Venturing Ranger Award and submit project documentation as specified. (See "How Applications Are Judged")

The silver medal, the most distinguished in Scouting for exceptional conservation service, will be awarded for clearly outstanding efforts in planning, leadership, execution of plans, involvement of others, and opportunities taken to help others learn about natural resource conservation and environmental improvement. The distinction between the bronze and silver medals is based primarily on the number and quality of the projects and their impact on the local community. The William T. Hornaday Awards Committee may award a bronze medal if the application does not meet the standard of exceptional service required for the silver medal. There is no limit on the number of bronze medals that may be awarded each year. Both awards include the medal (bronze or silver), a certificate, and an embroidered square knot.

William T. Hornaday Gold Badge

The gold badge is by nomination only and is awarded by the local council to an adult Scouter. The nominee should have 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. Nominations are made to the local council. The award includes the gold badge.

William T. Hornaday Gold Medal

The gold medal is by nomination only and is awarded to an adult Scouter. It recognizes unusual and distinguished service in natural resource conservation and environmental improvement at the regional, national, or international level. Nominations must be approved by the Hornaday Awards Committee and by the Conservation Committee of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America. Any recognized conservation/environmental organization may submit a nomination. The award includes the gold medal, a certificate, and an embroidered square knot.

William T. Hornaday Gold Certificate

This award is by nomination only and is granted to an individual, corporation, or organization not affiliated with Scouting. The nominee should have made an outstanding contribution to youth conservation education and demonstrated commitment to the education of youth on a national or international level, reflecting the natural resource conservation and environmental awareness mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Candidates may be nominated by any recognized conservation/environmental organization. Up to six awards may be granted annually. Each nomination must be approved by the Hornaday Awards Committee and by the Conservation Committee of the National Council, Boy Scouts of America, in consultation with the Chief Scout Executive.

Awards Presentation

The Conservation Service of the Boy Scouts of America supplies certificates, medals, and badges at no charge to local councils. Certificates are printed with the recipient's name.

Information packages containing a history of the award and pictures of Dr. Hornaday are available from the national office upon request. Councils are encouraged to maximize press coverage on the occasion of the award presentation—this distinguished honor reflects favorably on the Scouting program.

Hornaday Projects and Youth Awards

The Hornaday Awards program encourages and recognizes units, Scouts, and Venturers who design, lead, and carry out conservation projects that are based on sound scientific principles and practices. The projects should contribute to sound conservation and environmental improvement in the local community, the region, or the nation. The applicant is expected to research potential projects and to choose, with guidance from a Hornaday adviser, a worthy project.

Because the badge, the bronze medal, and the silver medal are individual awards, two or more individuals cannot claim credit for the same project. However, a project may be a part of a larger conservation effort, with different applicants carrying out different aspects of the same project. Applicants are encouraged to involve their unit members in project work and demonstrate Scout leadership, thereby making their unit eligible for the unit award.

What Qualifies As a Hornaday Project?

How big a project should be and how long it should last are commonly asked questions. Collecting aluminum cans over a weekend along with many other Scouts is a fine public service, but since little learning took place and there was no lasting impact on the community, the project would not qualify for a Hornaday Medal. Similarly, a simple, one-time tree planting effort would not qualify.

However, a reforestation project in cooperation with a professional forester or park planner, learning which trees are appropriate to the area, ensuring proper spacing for best growth, following proper planting methods, and caring for the trees after planting might well qualify. Starting a community-wide recycling project and encouraging people to recycle might also qualify. Size of the project is not necessarily the important element. Rather, the results, the learning that took place, the applicant's demonstrated leadership, and the significance of the contribution to the community, park, or other lands are what count.

As to time, past recipients of the medals have indicated it takes no less than 18 months to complete the required merit badges and projects. So it's a good idea to start early in your Scouting career. You will find the Conservation Handbook, No. 33570, to be an invaluable source of ideas and assistance. It is available from your local council service center or Scout shop.

Required Projects

Applicants for the Hornaday badge must plan, lead, and carry out at least one project from one category of conservation. Bronze medal applicants must complete three significant projects in three different categories. Silver medal applicants must complete four significant projects in four categories. Each project is to be equivalent in scope to an Eagle Scout leadership service project. One project could be a suitable Eagle Scout service project, and one could be performed on BSA property. The others must benefit a school, community, religious organization, or fulfill some other public service purpose.

The categories are listed under the project examples on page four. These categories are designed, in part, to make Hornaday Awards available to Scouts living in suburban and urban areas as well as those in rural settings, and to acknowledge the growing interest among Scouts and their leaders in actively improving the natural environment within their own communities. These categories also focus on the relationship between environmental abuses in urban centers and their impact in relatively unpopulated, sometimes distant, areas.

Project Examples

Energy Conservation

Work with adults in the chartered organization to conduct an energy audit of the home of a low-income family, preparatory to weatherizing it for energy conservation. Determine the materials needed and their costs. Help organize a workforce and, with the adults, undertake the needed improvements over several weekends. This effort should be part of the chartered organization's community outreach. Record long-term impact by analyzing utility savings.

Soil and Water Conservation

Work with local park authorities to develop and maintain trails and paths, control streambank erosion (with water bars, ripraps, grass and shrub planting), conduct a wildlife census, and "adopt" a stream.

Fish and Wildlife Management

With advice and assistance from state conservation department officials, introduce carp and catfish into algae-choked farm ponds to help reduce the algae load. Build nesting boxes and set them out for waterfowl. Plant hundreds of trees for windbreaks in at least 10 fields for wildlife habitat and to help control soil erosion. Plant native grasses for the benefit of quail and prairie chickens. Using a portable puppet theater, make presentations on fish and wildlife conservation to young children.

Forestry and Range Management

Work with a range specialist to collect, analyze, plant, and maintain trees and native grasses suitable to the local environment to control erosion and provide wildlife habitats. Record short-term and long-term impacts.

Air and Water Pollution Control

Work on a legislator's staff to draft legislation and encourage enactment of state laws that require the planting of trees along all state highway rights-of-way to assist in reducing motor-vehicle air pollution, as well as filtering silt and many toxic substances.

Resource Recovery (Recycling)

Hazardous Material Disposal and Management

Working with local environmental officials, design and organize a program in which special plastic bags are distributed by Scouts to homeowners. The homeowners are asked to bag and deposit their used household batteries at special locations operated by city hazardous waste officials for appropriate disposal. Scouts design the informational brochure and run the public-information campaign to explain the environmental problems created by household batteries. The program reduces serious discharge of pollutants by the local waste incinerator.

Invasive Species Control

Working with a land managing agency or organization, help control or eliminate exotic plant or animal species that pose a threat to native species. Educate others to recognize invasive species and to conserve and protect our native plant and animal heritage.

Other Ideas

Other good ideas for projects may be found in the publications and pamphlets of groups such as the National Audubon Society, the Izaak Walton League, the National Wildlife Federation, or governmental agencies including the Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, state natural resource conservation agencies, and your state cooperative extension service. The best way to identify a project is to discuss the options with a Hornaday adviser.

There must be clear written evidence in your application that you did indeed plan, lead, and carry out long-term, substantial projects in the different conservation categories. Past winners have indicated that it takes at least 18 months to complete all the requirements. Judges check to see that all necessary signatures are on the applications; that the applicant (except for Venturer applicants) was not yet 18 when all requirements were completed; that all merit badge requirements have been completed; and that the projects are substantial and well-documented.

Additional written supporting material relating to the applicant's conservation work (newspaper articles, letters of commendation, photos of completed projects) is considered by the judges. Evidence of leadership in researching, planning, leading, and carrying out the projects, and of how this influenced other people, must be clearly documented.

How Applications Are Judged

The application, with supporting documentation, is the primary basis upon which decisions are made. The national Hornaday Awards Committee may grant as many awards as possible, provided the demanding expectations are met. Dr. Hornaday stated, "Unusual prizes are to be won only by unusual services."

On the application sheets provided in this booklet (or on photocopies), describe in detail how you came up with the idea, why you undertook the project (school project, community service, church project, etc.), how you planned it, how it was designed, how long it took, where it was done, the resulting environmental improvement, and how the project involved and influenced others. Describe how you gave leadership to the project. List help you received from organizations and professionals. Supporting materials (photographs, news articles, letters of appreciation, sketches) may be attached to the application in one separate, well-organized binder. Consideration is given to a neat, concise, organized presentation. Give special care to the appearance of the application and the correctness of all information provided.

All effort is made to protect and return original supplemental materials. The original application, however, is not returned. Applicants and councils should keep copies.

The Hornaday Awards Committee meets three or four times a year. Therefore, applicants must recognize the lead time involved.

Expectations

Applicants for the bronze and silver medals are expected to

1. Describe the origination of the idea.
2. State the purpose of each project and why the project was chosen.
3. Conduct research, investigation, and study.
4. Develop project plans.
5. Implement and manage the projects.
6. Demonstrate leadership and involve others.
7. Describe how the project influenced the attitudes of others.
8. Record the time and resources devoted to each project.
9. Explain the relationships among projects, if projects are interrelated. Each project, however, must be from a different category of conservation, as described earlier.

Monitoring

Applicants for the Hornaday badge, bronze medal, and silver medal must work under the guidance of a conservation or environmental professional or qualified layperson in conservation.

Each project should be designed in part to publicize the need to conserve natural resources and to improve environmental conditions.

The council is encouraged to provide guidance and to identify qualified advisers. The role of the conservation adviser is to guide the young person into selecting significant conservation projects and to coach the youth into preparing, researching, consulting others, designing, planning, and giving leadership to others in carrying out the projects. The adviser must approve the application, indicating that the applicant's activities have been monitored and ensuring that the projects meet local needs. The applicant's unit leader must also approve.

The Hornaday Awards Committee expects applications to include detailed project descriptions that document the applicant's work.

Requirements for Venturers

Venturers applying for the bronze or silver medal are to complete all requirements for the medal as shown on the application, except for earning the merit badges. In place of merit badges, Venturers must

1. Complete the ecology and plant and wildlife requirements for the Venturing Ranger Award.
2. In addition to the required project documentation, as outlined above under "Expectations," provide specific information on:
   • The research performed in connection with the conservation projects undertaken. The relevant research must be cited at the appropriate location in the conservation project documentation. A bibliography must be provided that lists sources cited. The bibliography must be formatted according to established standards.
   • The applicant's entire Hornaday effort. This evaluation, included in the application in a separate section, should contain information on alternatives considered for each project and an explanation of why each specific conservation project was selected, procedures used, processes used, staffing levels used, funding requirements, and so on.
   • The lessons learned. Included in the report in a separate section, this details what the applicant, in hindsight, would do differently on each project. The section should include recommended changes in project selection; procedures, processes, and staffing levels used; funding requirements; and evaluations of project effectiveness over time.

Screening

Applications are screened by a council committee composed of knowledgeable people aware of the needs, problems, and opportunities for conservation and environmental improvement in the local council area. Committee members will base their judgments on the work accomplished relative to the applicant's age and compared to the accomplishments of others in the community. The decision is based on several principal factors:

1. How much the applicant has actually contributed to the improvement or better management of natural resources and the environment, and the extent to which the applicant has learned from that experience
2. The leadership the applicant has demonstrated in the planning and execution of the project(s)
3. The extent to which the applicant has encouraged other people to plan, understand, appreciate, and practice sound conservation and environmental protection methods

National Council Criteria in Judging

Review the major criteria used by the National Council in judging applications/nominations for the Bronze, Silver, and Gold Medals and the Gold Certificate.

Checklists for Completing and Submitting Applications

William T. Hornaday Unit Award

To apply or to nominate a unit, complete the application for the unit award and submit it to your local council service center for review and approval by the council conservation committee and Scout executive. The local council forwards the approved application to the national office of the Boy Scouts of America.

Note these important points:

• Indicate the category of the project—energy conservation, soil and water conservation, fish and wildlife management, forestry and range management, air and water pollution control, resource recovery, hazardous material disposal and management, or invasive species control.
• Give the specific title of the project and a detailed description of what was done, who did it, when it was done, and how it was done.
• Include any other pertinent information.
• Be sure the unit leader and conservation adviser sign the application before it is sent to the council office.

William T. Hornaday Badge

Complete the application for the badge. The unit leader approves and forwards the application to the local council service center for review and approval by the council conservation committee and Scout executive. The council forwards the approved application to the director of Conservation, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.

Note these important points:

• Give a detailed description of the project, as outlined for the unit award above.
• Be sure the applicant, conservation adviser, and unit leader sign the application before it is sent to the council office.
• Check and date all merit badges completed.
• Boy Scout and Varsity Scout applicants must complete these requirements before their 18th birthday. Venturer applicants must complete requirements before their 21st birthday.

William T. Hornaday Bronze or Silver Medal

Complete the application for the bronze or silver medal. Upon approval by the unit leader, the complete application and supporting materials are forwarded to the local council service center for review and endorsement by the council conservation committee and Scout executive. Following council approval, the local council forwards the application to the director of Conservation, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079. If appropriate, it is submitted to the Hornaday Awards Committee for action.

Note these important points:

• Be sure the applicant, conservation adviser, and unit leader sign the application.
• Check and date all merit badges completed.
• Prepare a separate "Project Description" for each project (each from a different project category). Describe each project in detail, including illustrations and/or photographs of the work done. Indicate how you provided leadership for the project and how you used the project to involve and influence others. (See "How Applications Are Judged" for details of expected documentation.)
• Include any newspaper articles, letters of thanks or commendation, and other supporting materials in a well-organized binder.
• Ensure that the application and supporting materials are neat in appearance and reflect the high quality of the applicant's work.
• The conservation adviser and Scout executive should ensure that all parts of the application are filled out thoroughly, accurately, and in detail. Determination by the Hornaday Awards Committee of the applicant's qualification is made solely from the information included in the application and supporting materials.
• Boy Scout and Varsity Scout applicants must complete these requirements before their 18th birthday. Venturer applicants must complete requirements before their 21st birthday.
• Venturer applicants must fulfill additional requirements as specified. (See "How Applications Are Judged")

William T. Hornaday Gold Badge

Complete the nomination form and submit it, together with supporting materials including letter(s) of endorsement, to the local council for review and approval by the council conservation committee and the Scout executive. If approved, the council forwards the application to: Director of Conservation, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, TX 75015-2079.

William T. Hornaday Gold Medal or William T. Hornaday Gold Certificate

Complete the appropriate nomination form and forward it, together with supporting materials including letters of endorsement, to the Director of Conservation, Boy Scouts of America, 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane, P.O. Box 152079, Irving, Texas 75015-2079.

The national Hornaday Awards committee will consider the nomination at its next meeting. The committee meets three or four times a year.

Note this important point:

• Include the names and phone numbers of others the Hornaday Awards Committee can contact if additional information is needed.

Guidelines for the William T. Hornaday Award Conservation Adviser

A Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer working toward a William T. Hornaday Award has taken on a great task, and a noble one: to provide distinguished service to natural resource conservation. As the candidate's adviser, you have been recognized as a conservation or environmental professional or qualified layperson in conservation, usually with a degree or advanced degree in one of the natural sciences, and you will guide the candidate through the selection, planning, and accomplishment of a significant conservation project. While you may not be familiar with Dr. Hornaday's work, these awards, or the programs of the Boy Scouts of America, these guidelines will provide you with necessary background information and expectations for effective guidance.

Background

The Hornaday Awards program was created to recognize significant contributions to conservation. The program began in 1917 when Dr. William T. Hornaday, an active and outspoken champion of natural resource conservation, awarded the first Wildlife Protection Medal. Its purpose was to challenge Americans to work constructively for wildlife conservation and habitat protection. After Dr. Hornaday's death in 1937, the Boy Scouts of America began presenting the award, which was renamed in Dr. Hornaday's honor.

One of this country's first advocates for wildlife, Dr. Hornaday was instrumental in establishing the National Zoo and the New York Zoological Society. His research and outspokenness were largely responsible for saving the American bison from extinction, and for influencing Congress to enact legislation for the protection of migratory birds and fur seals. He helped to begin the Campfire Club of America (now Campfire Boys and Girls) and was a strong supporter of the Boy Scouts of America. He was inducted into the National Wildlife Federation's Conservation Hall of Fame in 1971.

Dr. Hornaday believed strongly in the power of youth and that a single individual can make a difference. He also held fast to his motto: "Open wide to youth all gateways to nature." When Dr. Hornaday died in 1937, one writer described his legacy: "Behind the hundreds of admirers ... stand the mute inhabitants of our forests and uplands, who found him a stout-hearted and able defender."

Your Role as Adviser

Serving as an adviser for a young person working toward this award is both an honor and a responsibility. Your advice and support are important elements in a candidate's success. This is not a short-term commitment; it takes about two years to complete the requirements for the bronze or silver medal.

You are part of a team that includes the youth's unit leader (Scoutmaster or crew Advisor) and individual project advisers (often land managers for the project location). Depending on the situation, the candidate may call upon the help of the unit or the BSA local council to complete a project. The adviser and the unit leader must approve the candidate's application before it is forwarded to the local council.

Your perspective as a conservation professional is vital to the Scout working on these awards. Your role is to be the guide and catalyst, guiding the Scout through the transformation of a mere idea to an effective action that will actually make a difference to the environment! Among other things, you can demonstrate to the candidate the importance of using the scientific method, from investigations and data collection to forming conclusions about the environment.

An important part of your role will be to help the candidate realize that solutions to conservation problems are not always black and white, but shades of gray. Your knowledge and professionalism will be needed to teach how the forces of nature and the interaction among species, along with the political and social influence of man, often cloud what may be perceived as a clear solution to an environmental challenge. The candidate should realize that many species of animals and many practices of man must be taken into account. Dr. Hornaday himself considered an important part of this award to be educating and working to change the attitudes of those around us.

Lastly, you can introduce the Scout to the larger picture of conservation and its varied fields of expertise. Working with area agencies and organizations to complete a significant conservation project will provide practical experience that cannot be obtained in any schoolbook. The knowledge and guidance of advisers and other leaders are necessary to the Scout throughout the project, but the Scout should be coached to take ownership of the project.

The Projects

Most of the Hornaday awards require the Scout to conduct several significant conservation projects, each covering a different area of conservation. The projects must be based on sound scientific principles, address a conservation problem, and contribute to conservation and environment improvement on a long-term scale. The Scout is required to plan, lead, and carry out these projects and, as Dr. Hornaday stated, actual results count heavily.

There are no guidelines as to what makes a project "significant," but choosing and planning a project could make all the difference. Consider this example of a single project executed two ways. A Boy Scout organizes his unit to plant a few hundred seedlings in a burned-over area. A Venturer researches why the area has not naturally regenerated and what species are common to the area, conducts an inventory, finds a good source for native plants, organizes a tree-planting event, and obtains community assistance in planting by diligently publicizing the efforts. The following year, the Venturer returns to the area to document survival and assess if replanting is necessary. The actual results—planting the seedlings—for these two projects are the same, and some reviewers may consider both significant. However, the results of second project—thorough education of the Scout, the unit, and the community—will stand a better chance of withstanding the rigors of a review.

Guidelines for the Hornaday Award call for the candidate to complete projects in several areas of conservation. Some projects might fit into several categories depending on local circumstances. For instance, a single trail-reconstruction project might be categorized as soil and water conservation if it addresses erosion, or categorized as fish and wildlife management if it attempts to erase the impact of human intervention into critical habitat. Trail reconstruction might not meet Hornaday qualifications at all if it is attempted only for recreational access.

While one site may support projects in several areas, each project must stand on its own. In these cases, specific work items at a site must not be counted for completion of more than one project, and the interrelationship of projects must be carefully explained in the documentation.

Documentation

The job is not done until the paperwork is complete. This adage applies to the Hornaday Awards in a significant way. For many applicants, documentation will be the most difficult part of the process. A good guide for how the Boy Scouts of America approaches documenting a project is the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No. 18-927C. This workbook helps the applicant break project documentation into pieces, making each one easier to address.

Another good source is the official Hornaday Award Web site maintained by the BSA, http://www.scouting.org/awards/hornaday, which describes the required project elements and award criteria. It should be noted that the project descriptions are the only items that the national Hornaday Awards committee has to review during its deliberations. It is a good idea to include an extra project in case one of them does not meet the high standards for the Hornaday award.

The candidate should carefully document each step in the project's development, beginning with the factors used to identify the conservation problem, the reasoning behind the choice of projects, and the avenues of accomplishment. Supporting materials like letters, newspaper articles, and photos are essential. A letter of thanks from the benefiting site is an excellent idea.

Also, the candidate must document all phases and aspects of accomplishing the project. Records should reflect not only the activities and hours spent performing the field work to complete the project, but also the planning, preparation, research, negotiation, design, approvals, etc., that were necessary to arrive there. The adviser can help broaden the candidate's view of what constitutes accomplishment, which in turn helps define the extent of the project's impact.

Most young people will have a tough time completing the significant amount of documentation required and working with feedback from adult reviewers. You can help ease the frustration with careful coaching that this process is common in the professional world. Advisers and candidates alike should bear in mind that that such reviews will help produce a better product with a higher chance of receiving a favorable review from the council and national review committees.

Special Circumstances

It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that every individual be given the opportunity to succeed regardless of circumstances such as physical or mental disabilities, or serving as a Lone Scout without benefit of the usual support of a troop. Contact the candidate's unit leader or council service center for advice on how to better work with these circumstances and for suggestions on creative ways to amend the requirements.

Simon Kenton Council ● Boy Scouts of America

1901 E. Dublin-Granville Rd. ● P.O. Box 29207 ● Columbus, Ohio  43229

(614) 436-7200 ● (800) 433-4051 ● FAX: (614) 436-7917

E-mail: questions@skcbsa.org ● Web Site: www.skcbsa.org

Copyright © 1999-2008 Simon Kenton Council, BSA