Boy Scouts Hornaday Conservation Project 2007
Troop 192 of Davisburg, Michigan participated in the National Public Lands Day/Weekend on June 2, 2007. We teamed up with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Holly Recreation Area. Holly Recreation Area Park Supervisor Shawn Speaker gave specific locations that hikers had noted were blocked off or had overgrown brush. Speaker said, Brushing includes removing branches, brush, vines, fallen trees, and other vegetation so hikers can pass without difficulty. Ideally we like an eight by eight foot corridor. We gave instructions and provided the boys with loppers, hand saws and pole saws they did the rest. Our troop planned out a camping weekend at Holly Recreation Area to coincide with a planned DNR event to remove invasive species. Life Scout Samuel Ekstrom was working on his individual Hornaday Conservation Award and Troop 192 was working toward a Hornaday Conservation Unit Award. Shawn Speaker, Park Supervisor acted as Conservation Advisor. The boys in the troop and adult volunteers were requested to bring proper clothing including: gloves, work pants, liquids, and sunscreen. A storm whipped up before our trip and knocked down numerous trees and branches along many of the intertwining trails of the park. Shawn Speaker, our Conservation Advisor, gave instructions on where we were to clear trails. He also showed the proper usage of the tools, loppers and saws.
Boy Scouts Hornaday Conservation Project 2007
- 1. Troop 192 Hornaday Conservation Project Created by Hornaday Advisor Lee Ekstrom PonMan District / Great Lakes Council June 2, 2007
- 2. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Troop 192 of Davisburg, Michigan participated in the National Public Lands Day/Weekend on June 2, 2007. We teamed up with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Holly Recreation Area. Holly Recreation Area Park Supervisor Shawn Speaker gave specific locations that hikers had noted were blocked off or had overgrown brush. Speaker said, Brushing includes removing branches, brush, vines, fallen trees, and other vegetation so hikers can pass without difficulty. Ideally we like an eight by eight foot corridor. We gave instructions and provided the boys with loppers, hand saws and pole saws they did the rest.
- 3. PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Our troop planned out a camping weekend at Holly Recreation Area to coincide with a planned DNR event to remove invasive species. Life Scout Samuel Ekstrom was working on his individual Hornaday Conservation Award and Troop 192 was working toward a Hornaday Conservation Unit Award. Shawn Speaker, Park Supervisor acted as Conservation Advisor. The boys in the troop and adult volunteers were requested to bring proper clothing including: gloves, work pants, liquids, and sunscreen. A storm whipped up before our trip and knocked down numerous trees and branches along many of the intertwining trails of the park. Shawn Speaker, our Conservation Advisor, gave instructions on where we were to clear trails. He also showed the proper usage of the tools, loppers and saws.
- 4. PROJECT DESCRIPTION (Continued): Life Scout Samuel Ekstrom said, We cut anything that might inhibit the hikers easy going on the trails. Basically anything that was in arms length had to be cut. That covers around four miles of trails, cutting anything from small plant life to trees that were hanging over or had fallen on the trails. Twenty-five scouts, adult leaders and parents participated in the conservation service project. Following the conservation project the boys enjoyed biking to Heron Beach, for a refreshing swim. The scouts also weathered a heavy thunderstorm that swept through Saturday night. The William T. Hornaday Award was established in 1914 by Dr. Hornaday, then director of the New York Zoological Park. The award recognizes BSA members and units for service to conservation and environmental quality. Other BSA awards relating to stewardship are the Conservation Good Turn Award, World Conservation Award, and the Keep America Beautiful Award.