1. Environmental Conservation and Outdoor Ethics
Principles, Problems, and Prestige
Presented by:
Chad Lawrence, Zechariah Bauer, Brent Huffman, Matt Shriver

2. Principles Leave No Trace (Boy Scout Handbook, 1998)
Outdoor Code (Boy Scout Handbook , 1955)
Tread Lightly
Environmental conservation and outdoor ethics have been and continue to be a major focus in scouting

3. Problems Sometimes we fail to follow our principles
Common fail points experienced locally
We will be identifying problems and failures we experience in following the principles

4. Prestige
Numerous conservation and outdoor ethics awards available for youth and adults
Awards of note: World Conservation Award, Outdoor Ethics Awareness, William T. Hornaday Awards
We will end by describing awards available for living and practicing these principles

5. - Leave No Trace - How we fail and to correct it
This slide is a transition for Chad to introduce Zach to talk about Leave No Trace

6. - Leave No Trace - How we fail and to correct it
Plan ahead and prepare
Many times, we go camping hoping to have the tools we need at the location
By planning, we can accomplish trip goals and minimize damage to nature
Knowing the geography and weather helps us with the gear we will bring
Planning meals to have minimal waste/food packaging

7. - Leave No Trace - How we fail and to correct it
We do not dispose of waste properly
Human waste
Many times we have facilities, when there is not remember feet from water, trails, campsites and dig a 6-8 inch cathole
Dishwater is where we all need work
Biodegradable soap
All kitchens need to have a strainer
Disperse water and particles 200 feet away from any water source

8. - Leave No Trace - How we fail and to correct it
Leave what you find
We take items and reorganize the area
We feel like we are the only people that will be here
Allow others to have the same sense of discovery that we had upon visiting the location
Remember: if everyone takes one item, it will only be a matter of time before there is nothing left
Sticks and stones seem innocent, but they can change the makeup of a location once they are removed

9. - Leave No Trace - How we fail and to correct it
Minimize Campfire Impacts
We build fires, just to have fires. We also make our fires as big as possible.
Fire overuse has had a negative impact on nature
Use an existing fire ring
Fires should be small and dead/downed wood should be used
Burn all wood to ash and scatter the materials in the surrounding area - be certain the debris is dead out

10. - Conservation Pledge and Outdoor Code -
This slide is a transition for Zach to introduce Brent to talk about Conservation Pledge and Outdoor Code

11. - Conservation Pledge -
1946 Outdoor Life Magazine held a nationwide contest for a “Conservation Pledge”
Dec 1946 winner is announced & featured on cover of January 1947 issue of Outdoor Life Magazine

12. - Outdoor Code -
Boys Life Magazine printed the “Conservation Pledge” in most issues from June January 1954
The “Outdoor Code”first appeared in Boys Life magazine in March 1954
Featured “An Outdoor Code for Americans” and “BSA’S Conservation Good Turn”
The “Good Turn” was prompted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, challenging Boy Scouts to raise public awareness of the importance of caring for natural resources.

13. - Outdoor Code - As an American, I will do my best to
The 4 key points have not changed - There have been many revisions describing each of the points.
As an American, I will do my best to
Be clean in my outdoor manners
Be careful with fire
Be considerate in the outdoors
Be conservation minded
Clean- Cleanup after ourselves usg pack it in, pack it out techniques.
Careful- An important tool but one that can be devatating if it gets out of control. We consider our needs and think about how to best use it to have minimal impact.
Considerate- Think about others as well as ourselves and how our presence impacts them. Not just humans, but wildlife.
Conservation- Think about our impacts on the environment. We take steps to correct and redress the damage to the environment.

14. -Tread Lightly -
This slide is a transition for Brent to change from Outdoor Code to Tread Lightly

15. - TREAD Lightly - Travel Responsibly Respect the Rights of Others
Educate Yourself
Avoid Sensitive Areas
Do Your Part
Travel - On land by staying on roads/trails. Go over not around obstacles. Cross streams at designated fords when possible. Avoid wet muddy trails.
Respect - rights of others including private property owners, all recreational trail users, campers, ect. Yield right of way to those passing you or going uphill. Respect anglers, swimmers, skiers, boaters.
Educate - Prior to your trip obtain maps & regulations from public agencies. Plan your trip and know how to use your equiptment safely.
Avoid - Stay on designated routes. This protects wildlife habitats and sensitive soils. Don’t distub historical and archeological sites.
Do your part by modeling appropriate behavior. Leave the area better than you found it. Properly dispose of waste, minimize the use of fire, avoid the spread of invasive species and repair degrading areas.

16. Recognition
This slide is a transition for Brent to introduce Matt for the awards section of the presentation

17. Recognition One of the Aims and Methods of Scouting
Several different environmental awards available in Scouting, including:
World Conservation Award, Outdoor Ethics Awareness Patch, and the William T. Hornaday Award

18. World Conservation Award
Awarded for Boy Scouts who have completed:
1. Environmental Science merit badge
2. Soil and Water Conservation OR Fish and Wildlife Management merit badge
3. Citizenship in the World merit badge
Requirements also available for various Cub Scout ranks

19. Outdoor Ethics Awareness
1. Recite and explain the Outdoor Code
2-4. Complete 3 online training courses (National Park Service, Leave No Trace, and Tread Lightly!)
5. Participate in an outdoor ethics course facilitated by someone who has completed the BSA outdoor ethics orientation course

20. William T. Hornaday Award
Must be at least 1st Class
Must complete 9 environmental merit badges
Must complete four different conservation projects
Must develop project plans and present them to an advisor
Similar in scope to an Eagle Award

21. Environmental Conservation and Outdoor Ethics
Thank you!
Matt Winland (Guide), Matt Shriver, Brent Huffman, Chad Lawrence, Zechariah Bauer