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ENVIRONMENTAL
SCIENCE ![[EAGLE REQ]](../../art/eaglereq.gif)
In the early 1900s, as the conservation movement grew, two Americans started separate organizations for boys that focused on nature and the environment. Ernest Thompson Seton was the official naturalist for the Canadian province of Manitoba. By 1902, he had moved to Connecticut, and founded a boys' club called Woodcraft Indians to preserve the wilderness knowledge of Native Americans. As a foremost naturalist of his time, Seton spoke before the U.S. congress in 1904 in support of legislation to protect migratory birds.
Daniel Carter Beard was a surveyor and engineer in Cincinnati, Ohio. He moved to New York, where he was an author, commercial artist, and illustrator. Beard wrote a book titled The American Boy's Handy Book. In 1905, he founded a boys' club called Sons of Daniel Boone to teach boys about nature, conservation, and outdoorsmanship.
On February 8, 1910, Seton and Beard merged their separate boys' clubs into the Boy Scouts of America. This new organization was founded by publisher William D. Boyce.
From its beginnings, the Boy Scouts of America had a strong foundation of woodcraft, nature study, and conservation. Many activities in Scouting come from activities of Native Americans. Many of the principles that Scouts uphold come from the conservation ethics of Seton and Beard. The BSA has taught more than 45 million young environmentalists throughout its history. Currently, with more than 1.5 million active members, the BSA continues to train the youth of America in principles of conservation and environmental science.
Source: Environmental Science merit badge pamphlet, #33363A, 1998 edition
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Last modified on Friday, July 30, 2004
