HORNADAY AWARD QUICK INFO GUIDE

Transcription

1 HORNADAY AWARD QUICK INFO GUIDE Here is a link to the National Council s Hornaday Award clearinghouse web page with all the info you could ask for about Hornaday awards Note that the Hornaday project must come from 1 of the following 8 categories. No exceptions are allowed for other types of projects, since this is one of the main requirements for the Hornaday awards. 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 Within these 8 categories boys could do an almost limitless array of projects. Soil and water conservation includes erosion control and efforts to improve water quality generally. Fish and wildlife management includes building bat boxes or blue bird boxes, as well as efforts to improve water quality for a specific species of fish that need something done to their water quality in order to breed or live. Hazardous material disposal could include either a clean-up project (must be very careful with this one) or a collection project targeted at oils, pesticides, paints, etc., coupled with proper disposal of those materials at a permitted recycler. Attached is a Hornaday project proposal that must be completed (the Eagle project can be attached and referred to, but the Hornaday project has additional elements that a normal Eagle project does not -- so those additional requirements must be answered via the Hornaday proposal document). Note that the Hornaday award adds the following components that are NOT required for a normal Eagle project : research on why you are doing what you re doing and why it should be done in a particular way; documented education/communication of your workers about the reason for the project and the intended benefits to help with environmental education and awareness; and a documented follow-up plan to make sure that the intended benefits are achieved. The Scout does not need to do the follow-up personally as long as there is a plan that the landowner, etc., has agreed to implement but it looks better if the boy actually takes part in his follow-up plan. Attached is a Hornaday Advisor Guideline document that contains useful information about documentation for the Scout on pages 3 & 4. Attached is a Hornaday Badge Application that must be filled out. Page 2 lists the special merit badges required in order to get a Hornaday Badge. There are 6 required merit badges of which

2 the boy must earn 3 (the top 6 in the left column of the list). Other than Environmental Science, none are required for Eagle, so these are above and beyond that separate a normal Eagle from a Hornaday recipient. Boys must be aware of these additional merit badges and plan to earn them before turning 18. Here is a link to the Council's Hornaday Award guide. It is 75 pages long and over 5 megs so it is not attached. It provides advice on developing a successful Hornaday project and application Here are the pages a Hornaday candidate should focus on: pages list the 5 elements of the project pages discuss tips for a more successful application pages describe the screening process at the local and national levels pages have forms to fill out pages have an excellent example of a successful Hornaday application Here is a link to a similar Hornaday Award guide from the Blue Ridge Mountains Council, prepared by a man who received a Hornaday Silver Award as a youth. 12_Reduced.pdf

3 The William T. Hornaday Awards for Distinguished Service to Conservation Boy Scouts of America Blue Ridge Mountains Council Conservation Committee Silver Medal Bronze Medal Gold Medal Badge Square Knot Gold Badge (Silver and Bronze Medals) Unit Award (Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship) 5/30/11 1.1

4 Division of Hornaday Awards Boy Scouts and Venturers, Units, Adult Scouters, and other organizations or individuals can earn Hornaday awards. Boy Scouts and Venturers Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Venturers are able to earn the Hornaday Badge, Bronze Medal, and Silver Medal. There is a Merit Badge requirement for all awards for Scouts and Scouts must be First Class rank. There is no age or rank requirement for Venturers. Merit Badges relate to conservation and environmental management and fall into either Group I or Group II. 12

5 Group I Energy Environmental Science Fish and Wildlife Management Forestry Public Health Soil and Water Conservation Group II Bird Study Fishing Fly-Fishing Gardening Geology Insect Study Landscape Architecture Mammal Study Nature Nuclear Science Oceanography Plant Study Pulp and Paper Reptile and Amphibian Study Weather Venturers can choose to earn either the required Merit Badges from the above groups or the Ecology and Plant and Wildlife requirements for the Venturing Ranger Award. For a Venturer, earning both has only the effect of creating a more impressive application. For all levels of Scout awards, individuals are required to carry out a number of large conservation projects. Projects must be chosen from the below list of categories and only one project may come from each category. Project Categories Air and Water Pollution Control Energy Conservation Fish and Wildlife Management Forestry and Range Management Hazardous Materials and Waste Disposal Invasive Species Control Resource Recovery (Recycling) Soil and Water Conservation A Venturer is also required to provide details about the following topics: The research performed in connection with the conservation projects undertaken. The relevant research must be cited at the appropriate location in 13

6 the conservation project documentation. A works cited page must be provided that lists sources cited. The works cited must be formatted according to established standards. Its placement in the document is up to the applicant. 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. Hornaday Badge: Earn three Merit Badges from Group I, two Merit Badges from Group II, lead one significant conservation project from an above category. An Eagle Leadership Service Project may be used to fulfill the requirements of the Hornaday Badge only if the project is planned and conducted in accordance with Hornaday Award requirements. When completed, the Council Conservation Committee recommends that the Council grant the Badge and the number is not limited. Hornaday Bronze Medal: Earn four Merit Badges from Group I, two Merit Badges from Group II. Environmental Science must be earned from Group I. Complete three substantial conservation projects, each from a different category. One project may be the same as that used for the Hornaday Badge. When completed, the National Hornaday Committee reviews the application and recommends that the National Conservation Committee grant the Medal. This committee meets three or four times per year and does not limit the number of Bronze Medals awarded. Hornaday Silver Medal: Earn all six Group I Merit Badges, three from Group II, lead and complete four substantial conservation projects, each from a different category. One project may be the same as that used for the Hornaday Badge, but Scouts may not use the same projects from the Bronze Medal for the Silver one. When completed, the National Hornaday Committee reviews the application and recommends that the National Conservation Committee grant the Medal. This Committee meets three or four times per year and does not limit the number of Silver Medals awarded in any given year. Scouts who do not meet the stringent requirements of the Silver Medal may be awarded the Bronze Medal. These Scouts may not re-apply for the Silver Medal using any of the same projects for which the Bronze Medal was granted. 14

7 Scout Units A Unit (Pack, Troop, Crew, Ship, Team, Post) can earn a Hornaday Unit Award Certificate by planning and carrying out one significant conservation project from the above list with sixty percent of all registered youth and adult Unit members participating in the planning and/or implementation of the project. The Unit may not combine projects for different organizations in order to meet the sixty percent requirement; however, the Unit may do several smaller projects in the same category of conservation for one organization and use the collective larger conservation effort for the single organization to meet the participation requirement. After an application is completed, the Council Conservation Committee recommends that the Council issue the Unit the certificate. Again, the number of Unit Awards granted is not limited. Adult Scouters Gold Badge: An adult may be awarded a Gold Badge after three years of contributions to conservation at the Council or District level. The Council Conservation Committee, who receives and processes applications, recommends that the Council grant the badge to those who are nominated. The award is granted and the adult does not apply or complete projects. The number of Gold Badges is not limited. Gold Medal: An adult may be awarded a Gold Medal after twenty or more years of significant contributions to conservation at either a regional or national level. The National Hornaday Committee recommends that the National Conservation Committee grant the medal and recipients may be nominated to the Council Conservation Committee. Six medals may be awarded nationally each year. The award is granted and the adult does not apply or complete projects. Only fifty Gold Medals have been awarded in the last one hundred years. Non- Scouters: Organizations or Individuals The National Conservation Committee grants the William T. Hornaday Gold Certificate to organizations or individuals, generally not affiliated with the Boy Scouts of America, who have demonstrated commitment to education of youth relating to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement. Only six may be awarded in the nation each year. The award is granted and the adult or group does not apply or complete projects. 15

8 Application for the William T. Hornaday Badge Badge Name Date of birth Applicant s address City State Zip code Current Registration. Check one and indicate unit number: Boy Scout Troop No. Venturing Crew No. Varsity Scout Team No. Boy Scout: Rank at time of application Became a First Class Scout on (Date) Venturer: Check the awards that you have earned as a Venturer: Bronze Award Quest Award Gold Award Ranger Award Silver Award Quartermaster Award Trust Award Other Council District Council No. Unit leader s name Telephone No. Conservation adviser s name Professional conservation affiliation Telephone No. Statement of Applicant I have thoroughly read the requirements for this award. I have worked closely with my conservation adviser in the design and execution of each project. The work summarized in this application is of my design. I request consideration for receiving the William T. Hornaday badge. Applicant s signature Date 2011 Boy Scouts of America 11

9 Badge Additional Requirements for the William T. Hornaday Badge Boy Scout: Complete the requirements for any three merit badges shown in boldface, as well as any two others from this list. Merit Badge Date Completed Merit Badge Date Completed Energy Environmental Science Fish and Wildlife Management Forestry Public Health Soil and Water Conservation Bird Study Fishing Fly-Fishing Gardening Insect Study Landscape Architecture Mammal Study Nature Nuclear Science Oceanography Plant Science Pulp and Paper Reptile and Amphibian Study Weather Geology Venturer: After completing your conservation service project, complete the following requirements, document them on a separate sheet of paper, and attach them to the application. 1. Make a tabletop display or presentation on your conservation project for your crew, a Cub Scout pack or Boy Scout troop, or another group. 2. Lead a Cub Scout pack or another youth group in carrying out an age-appropriate conservation project from the list of Hornaday award categories. Applicant: I have completed the (check one): Boy Scout Venturer requirements listed above and I am applying for the William T. Hornaday badge. Applicant s signature Date Unit Leader: I have reviewed this application and the requirements for the William T. Hornaday badge. The above requirements have been met, and the dates indicated accurately reflect our unit s advancement records. Unit leader s signature Date Boy Scouts of America

10 Project Description for the William T. Hornaday Badge Badge For your project, attach an executive summary, complete project description, and any supporting materials to this application. You may follow the structure that is identified in the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook, No , to help you record the plans and execution of the project. Be sure to identify the conservation issue or problem that your project was designed to address as well as any relationship that your project may have to other projects worked on by you or others. Individual work items cannot be counted in more than one project. Applicants for the Hornaday badge must plan, lead, and carry out at least one project from an approved conservation category. For a list of approved categories and additional information, please see the official William T. Hornaday Award website at The project is to be equivalent in scope to an Eagle Scout leadership service project. You may use your Eagle Scout project as a Hornaday badge project if it meets the aims and objectives of the William T. Hornaday Award. As such, the project must benefit a school, community, religious organization, or BSA property, or fulfill some other public service purpose. Applicants are encouraged to involve their unit members in project work and demonstrate Scout leadership, thereby making their unit eligible for the unit award. The project must 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. There must be clear written evidence in your application that you did indeed plan, lead, and carry out a long-term, substantial project in one of the conservation categories. Additional written supporting material relating to the applicant s conservation work (newspaper articles, letters of commendation, or photos of the completed project) will be considered. Evidence of leadership in researching, planning, leading, and carrying out the project, and of how this influenced other people, must be clearly documented. Project Project category Project title Principal adviser to this project if other than the conservation adviser: Name Telephone No. Date project completed 2011 Boy Scouts of America 13

11 Badge Endorsements and Actions for the William T. Hornaday Badge Applicant s name Conservation Adviser s Approval I have worked closely with the applicant named above in the design and execution of the required project. I have reviewed this application and recommend that the applicant receive the William T. Hornaday badge. Adviser s signature Date Unit leader s signature Date Council Conservation Committee s Approval The council conservation committee has reviewed this application, interviewed the applicant, * and determined that the applicant demonstrated leadership in the design and execution of the project described. The applicant has met all requirements for the William T. Hornaday badge and has this committee s approval and endorsement. Chair s signature Date Scout Executive s Approval I have reviewed this application and approve the awarding of the William T. Hornaday badge to this applicant. Scout executive s signature Date Note to local council: Following council approval, forward the completed application to: Director of Conservation Boy Scouts of America, S West Walnut Hill Lane P.O. Box Irving, TX The certificate and badge will be returned to the council. * For reasons of distance or geography, an ad hoc committee in the applicant s community may be designated for the interview Boy Scouts of America 14

12 Hornaday and Eagle Projects An Eagle Project may be combined with a Hornaday project, but only if the Eagle Project fits the vision of William T. Hornaday. There are a few extremely important distinctions to make between projects for both types of awards. The following table should help summarize the differences to keep in mind. William T. Hornaday Projects Conservation Related Group Leadership Not Required, but Highly Recommended Much Research Required Restricted to Certain Categories No Fundraising Required, but May be Necessary Must be Long-Lasting Few Approvals Required Cannot be a One Time Event May Be Done Individually, but Best to Involve Others Generally Hours, Increases With Age National Review May Be Required More Planning Time, Less Labor Must Utilize Scientific Method Must Educate Others Eagle Scout Service Projects Any Topic Must Lead a Group Research Not Required Unrestricted Choices Fundraising Can Show Leadership Need Not Have Tangible Impact Many People Must Approve No Follow-up Needed Group Labor Required Generally Hours Only Local Review Required Balance Labor and Planning Scientific Method Not Required Education Not Required 16

13 William T. Hornaday Award Project Proposal Please fill one of these out for each project Name Unit Phone # E mail What area does your project fall into? o Energy Conservation o Air and Water Pollution Control o Fish and Wildlife Management o Resource Recovery (Recycling) o Forestry and Range Management o Soil and Water Conservation o Hazardous Material Disposal and Management o Invasive Species Control Describe your proposed project in detail. Include why this project interests you: Attach h additional sheet if necessary.

14 Describe the scope of your project. Include estimate numbers related to the size of your project (acres, miles, trees, species, time, materials, etc.): Who will benefit from this project? Is there an organization or group that owns the land? After the project is complete who will see the benefits? Are there educational components to your project? Please describe them: What will be the long term effect of your project? Think 5, 10, and 20 years from now. Will ongoing work be needed to maintain the benefits of this project? Do you have an advisor yet? Please describe their expertise in this area: Advisor name Phone # Organization/Job title E mail Please return to: Staff Advsior Northern Star Council Conservation Committee 393 Marshall Ave Saint Paul, MN 55102

15 Guidelines for the William T. Hornaday Award Conservation Advisor 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 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

16 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 treeplanting event, and obtains community assistance in planting by diligently publicizing the

17 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 C. 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, 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

18 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.

19 Process for Boy Scouts, Venturers, and Units Earning a William T. Hornaday Award 1. Contact Hornaday Awards Coordinator 2. Select Conservation Advisor 3. Research Project Ideas 4. Develop Unique Significant Project 5. Plan Project A1 6. Conduct Project Complete Required Badges (Scouts and Venturers only) 7. Project Write-up 8. Complete Additional Projects (2 or 3+) 9. Application A2 A3 10. Review by Conservation Committee 11. Award Presentation 3. Research Project Ideas Energy Conservation Soil and Water Conservation Fish and Wildlife Management Air and Water Pollution Control Resource Recovery (Recycling) Hazardous Material Disposal Invasive Species Control 4. Develop Unique Project Conservancies, Community Agencies, Land Trusts, Religious Organizations, Schools, Service Groups, Local Government, USDA, State Parks, NOAA, VDGIF, VADOF, Scout Reservation (Only 1 Project) 5. Plan Project Organization Design Materials and Budget Leadership and Workers Schedule Benefit Safety Plan 7. Project Write-up Service Hours by All Involved Maps Pictures Communication Notes Publicity Letters of Appreciation Benefiting Group Continuation 9. Application Scouts/Venturers Badge: 5 MB, 1 Project Bronze Medal: 6 MB, 3 Projects Silver Medal: 9 MB, 4+ Projects Units Certificate: 1 Project, 60% of Unit Participates 10. Review: Approvals A1: Project Proposal A2: Project Report A3: Award Application All Approved By Benefiting Organization and Conservation Advisor, A3 Goes to Council Or National Committee