World Conservation
Carry out these activities as a member of a group of Scouts, preferably as a Patrol project. Carry out one activity from each of the following sections:
Skill
- Create a scented garden for a blind person.
- Adopt a pond and carry out conservation work and maintenance, obtaining permission and expert advice as necessary.
- Build a hide, use it for observing wildlife (preferably staying overnight) and report your findings,
- Assist with the preservation of a stretch of water, for example stream or canal.
- Survey a derelict site, recording how nature has started to reclaim it, Plan and, where possible, take action to further reclamation.
Knowledge
- Explain the dangers to health of cigarette smoking, alcohol or drugs.
- Explain how different types of pollution in soil affect growing plants. Describe the safeguards that need to be taken.
- Explain the pollution caused by motor vehicles. Describe how this affects people, plants and buildings and, where possible, illustrate your findings.
- Explain the causes of water pollution and the action which could be taken to lessen the effects.
- Explain how government, industries and other agencies are helping people to become aware of conservation.
- Explain how trees are useful to man.
Understanding
- Prepare a checklist of dos and don’ts for campers and hikers, so that natural things are neither destroyed nor harmed. Give a copy of the list to each member of the Troop.
- Find out all you can about animals, birds, plants or fish which are in danger of extinction in your own country. Find out what can be done to save them and, if possible, help to do so with expert advice,
- Explain why so many animals in the world are threatened by extinction and suggest what your Patrol can do to assist in their survival,
- Make a list of ways in which the Troop camp could contribute to pollution. Suggest ways of preventing this and arrange for them to be discussed by the Patrol Leaders’ Council before your next camp.
- Plan and carry out a conservation project with members of a Venture Scout Unit,
Telling Others
- Plan a campaign to conserve energy at home oral school or work or at camp or at Troop meetings. Support your campaign with posters, displays, information for the press and advertising material,
- Help to make a nature trail for a Cub Scout Pack.
- Help a Cub Scout Pack to build bird tables or nesting boxes.
- As part of the plans for an expedition, devise a project to improve the environment. Carry out the project and report on it at a Parents’ Open Evening or similar occasion.
- Survey your local area to find examples of how man has damaged nature. Show how this can be avoided. Send the results of your survey to the appropriate authorities.
- Survey your local area to find examples of how man has tried to improve his environment. Send a letter of appreciation to the appropriate bodies.
Notes
Alternative activities may be undertaken as agreed by the Patrol Leaders’ Council.
An adult with some expertise in conservation may be consulted to help with the selection of projects and preparation of alternatives.
