Draft:BSA Distinguished Conservation Awards

The Distinguished Conservation Service Award are a series of awards presented by the Boy Scouts of America for service in conservation and ecology. The program is designed to encourage learning about natural resource conservation and the environment, teach sound stewardship of the natural resources and the environment, and recognize those who are outstanding in this field. Considered to be the highest service award a youth could earn in the BSA, it was a rare and highly prized medal, with only 1,200 medals being awarded in its more than 100-year history. The award was previously called the William T. Hornaday Awards. In an effort to distance itself from the controversial history of Dr. Hornaday, the Boy Scouts of America formally retired the Hornaday awards in October 2020.

Awards
The fundamental purpose of the BSA Distinguished Conservation Awards program is to encourage learning and public awareness about natural resource conservation. Understanding and practicing sound stewardship of natural resources and environmental protection strengthened Scouting's emphasis on respecting the outdoors.

There are three different Conservation Awards. Through earning one of these prestigious awards, candidates joined the ranks of Scouts, Venturers, Scouters, and organizations who have gone above and beyond in committing themselves to living with a positive environmental ethic, protecting the environment, and educating others about conservation issues we face today. Conservation awards are administered at either the local council or national level, depending on the award.

Service Award Certificate


The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Certificate is awarded, upon approval of the local council, to a Scout BSA, Sea Scout or Venturer, or Unit for outstanding service to conservation and environmental improvement. This conservation award is granted to organizations or individuals by the National Council of the Boy Scouts of America. Nominations are accepted from any recognized conservation or environmental protection organization. The organization or individual should have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a regional, national, or international level reflecting the natural resource conservation and environmental improvement mission of the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Awards program. A letter of nomination should be addressed to the BSA Director of Conservation. Letters of endorsement are encouraged.

BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award
These medals were awarded by the National Council for Scouts BSA, Sea Scouts or Venturers for exceptional and distinguished service to conservation and environmental improvement. To qualify, the Scout must have completed numerous advancement requirements, and completed at least two conservation projects, each from a different project category. Each project must have been significant in nature and have contributed in a long-lasting manner to conservation efforts, with the scale of each project being no less than that of an Eagle Scout service project. This award included a medal and square knot insignia for wear on the uniform, and a lapel pin for civilian wear. The BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award is awarded, upon approval of the local council, to a Scout BSA, Sea Scout, or Venturer for outstanding service to conservation and environmental improvement. The candidate had to have been a First Class Scout, Venturer, or Sea Scout. This award included a silver badge for wear on the uniform.

BSA Distinguished Conservationist
This award is by nomination only and is for an adult Scouter who has rendered distinguished and exemplary service to natural resource conservation and environmental improvement over a sustained period (at least 20 years). The focus of the award nomination should be on the nominee’s involvement with youth, especially in the areas of education and volunteerism and inspiring them to excel in conservation, natural resources management and environmental improvement. Nominations are accepted from any recognized conservation or environmental protection organization. The nominee’s accomplishments must be at a regional, national, or international level. In an attached letter of nomination, indicate the contributions made by the nominee and whether the accomplishments cited were part of the nominee’s paid professional responsibilities and/or voluntary activities. Central to the selection process is the influence the nominee has had on educational programs emphasizing sound stewardship of natural resources and inspiring youth to excel in conservation, natural resources management and environmental improvement. The nominee should have no part in writing the nomination and should not be aware of the nomination until the time of presentation, if possible.