Fun with Scouts

Being outdoors is a big part of a scout's life. So, it is only fitting that one of the more than (135) merit badges available for them to earn focuses on soil and water conservation, and who better to collaborate with than UC ANR.

On November 3, 2018, scouts from Troop 202, home base is Chino Hills, visited the South Coast REC to learn about soil and water conservation taking advantage of the Center's agricultural environment and managed watershed within the site.

In between lectures about soil, erosion, the watershed, the water cycle, and topographic maps; the scouts toured the facility to get hands-on examples of erosion control practices, view methods to minimize run off on a large and small scale, in addition to conservation strategies showcased throughout the Center's demonstration landscapes.

Based on a variety of scenarios given, Scouts were asked to apply what they learned by drawing a mock shopping center or school yard. The youth were very conscientious about making sure their ‘sites' retained and maintained the water that was applied, whether it be irrigation or precipitation, by installing rain barrels, roof gutters, grey water lines, irrigation pumps, and permeable surfaces while paying particular attention to potential pollutants.

The final activities of the day to wrap up earning their merit badge included giving a presentation about the site they created and writing a 500-word essay.