Inspiration to “Go Green”

When we talk about how Scouting “creates life-changing experiences,” it’s often not just about changing the lives of our Scouts, but the people and communities they serve.

Case in point: I read a great story about Troop 25 in Madison, New Jersey and how their recent trip to the Philmont Scout Reservation in Cimarron, New Mexico gave them a new perspective on the importance of “going green.”

They saw natural rock formations and wild animals. They rafted the Arkansas River and hiked the top of Baldy Mountain, more than 12,000 feet above sea level. They carried their own trash to designated drop-offs to keep trails clean.

One of the Scouts on this trip summed the experience up nicely: “I never truly realized the importance of protecting our environment and the beauty of nature until this unforgettable trip.”

Members of Madison Boy Scout Troop 25 work on trail conservation during a trip to the Philmont Scout Reservation last summer // Photo courtesy of the Madison Eagle

Inspired by its New Mexico experience, Troop 25 is taking its environmental commitment up a notch. They’ve dedicated their Eagle Scout projects to creating mulched paths to allow local residents to observe the natural beauty of their own area. One Scout is placing birdhouses to support the bluebird population in local parks.

In addition, Troop 25 has organized a “Green Fair” to help their community learn about environmentally-friendly products, proper recycling, energy efficiency, and other sustainable processes. Their goal is to create a truly “zero waste” event.

All of this came from one unforgettable high adventure trip. It’s amazing to think about how the community benefits from their new-found understanding of conservation and environmental commitment. How great it would be if more of our neighbors could be inspired in this way.

As we know from celebrating Earth Day each year, protecting the environment goes far beyond what we teach in Scouting. Businesses and municipalities must meet many requirements for disposing of waste, using water for operations, managing land use, and responsible manufacturing processes for air emissions.

How do your organizations promote environmentally-friendly behavior in their communities? And what steps do you take internally to promote “Going Green?”  It’s a responsibility we all need to share – don’t you agree?

Thanks,

Wayne