Distinguished Conservation Service Award

A certificate and square knot recognition devices are planned for this award, but not public yet.

This program is intended to encourage learning about natural resource conservation by participants, and to increase public awareness about conservation.

Download the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Application Form

1. Be at least a First Class Scout.
2. Earn the following FIVE Merit Badges:
   • Environmental Science
   • Fish and Wildlife Management
   • Forestry
   • Soil and Water Conservation
   • Sustainability
3. Earn any TWO of the following Merit Badges:
   • Bird Study
   • Energy
   • Fishing
   • Fly‐Fishing
   • Gardening
   • Geology
   • Insect Study
   • Landscape Architecture
   • Mammal Study
   • Nature
   • Nuclear Science
   • Oceanography
   • Plant Science
   • Pulp and Paper
   • Reptile and Amphibian Study
   • Weather
4. Plan, lead and carry out TWO conservation projects, from two different categories:
   • Air and Water Pollution Control
   • Energy Conservation
   • Fish & Wildlife Management
   • Forestry & Range Management
   • Hazardous Materials Disposal and Management
   • Invasive Species Control
   • Pollinator Management
   • Resource Recovery
   • Soil & Water Conservation
   
   The projects must be developed under the guidance and pre‐approval of the Scout's Unit Leader, a BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Adviser, and the Council Conservation Committee. One of the projects may include the Scout's Eagle Scout project, if applicable. All projects must contribute to environment improvement on a long‐term scale. Applicants must use the BSA Distinguished Conservation Service Award Workbook to document each of the service projects.
5. Successfully pass a board of review conducted by the local Council's Conservation Committee.

Deciding on an appropriate conservation project is best done by discussing options with a conservation advisor.

Conservation project ideas may come from publications of the National Audubon Society, National Wildlife Federation, Environmental Protection Agency, USDA Forest Service, Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, or your state natural resource conservation agencies.