Duty to God - Most people of faith share a common ethic of respect for, and harmony with, the natural world.
Sound Citizenship - Responsible and thoughtful stewardship of resources, whether viewed as abundant or scarce, is a critical issue for all of us—today and into the future.
Physical Fitness - Naturally associated with outdoor activity, education, and service.
Mission: Council Conservation Committee
Promote conservation awareness and responsible/ethical action among Scouts, Scouters, and the broader community.
Foster community awareness and appreciation of the Boy Scouts of America/Sam Houston Area Council as a leader in supporting conservation.
Ensure that council camps are managed according to sound conservation practices.
Methods
Awareness
Emphasize Scouting participation in significant community conservation activities such as Rivers, Lakes, Bayous and Bays Trash Bash and/or Environment Week.
Organize environmental/conservation-oriented demonstrations for weekend camping, summer camps, and other summer programs (ECODOIN's).
Promote the conservation ethic at the council events (Akela's Trail/Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow, Scout Fair, and University of Scouting).
Promote conservation-oriented awards such as Hornaday, Council Conservation Award, World Conservation Award, and Conservation Good Turn Award.
Participate in Council Camping Committee meetings.
Training
Develop and implement courses for Akela's Trail/Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow and University of Scouting.
Develop Project Wild facilitators throughout the council and offer at least one annual council-wide workshop.
Encourage conservation programs at roundtables to review awards as well as educational and project opportunities.
Encourage training utilizing BSA resources/offerings, as well as resources outside the BSA.
Aggressively encourage Scout participation in conservation-related projects in our area (such as conservation needs of Texas Watch Partner, Texas Parks & Wildlife,Texas Forest Service, and area parks).
Camp Conservation Plans: For each of the council camps, prepare and steward conservation plans that can be used as a source of projects and information for program staff.
Camp Nature Center: Survey needs and opportunities for an educational center at the main Scout camps.
Encourage Leave No Trace camping and outdoor ethics.
Conservation Committee Objectives for 2011/2012
Increase the number of Hornaday Badge applications.
Recruit additional Hornaday Advisors and increase the number of districts represented.
Promote other conservation related awards (such as World Conservation, Conservation Good Turn) and increase participation.
Continue participation in Akela’s Trail/Cub Scout Leader Pow Wow, Scout Fair, and University of Scouting, and use these events as an opportunity to promote conservation-related awards and programs.
Promote participation in Rivers, Lakes, Bays, and Bayous Trash Bash in 2011 with an increase in Scout participation compared to 2010.
Restore ECODOIN's.
Improve role of Order of the Arrow in camp conservation and in conservation promotion in general.
Update camp conservation plans for Camp Strake and El Rancho Cima; develop frist draft of a plan for Bovay Scout Ranch.
Complete prospectus on mitigation value of map DStrake wetlands.
Complete one controlled burn of cleared understory at Camp Strake as weather and permits allow.
Develop training program for potential camp staff and course guides for two merit badges for El Rancho Cima summer camp staff.
Continue brush control at El Rancho Cima and Camp Strake as staff and funds allow.
