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Requirements January 1969 until June 1972

1. Soil

(a) Tell what soil is and how it is formed.
(b) Name and describe three kinds of soil and tell how they differ.
(c) Name the three principal plant nutrients in a fertile soil. Tell how they can be replaced when depleted.

2. Soil Erosion

(a) Define soil erosion.
(b) Tell why soil erosion is important and how it affects you.
(c) Name and describe at least three kinds of soil erosion.
(d) Take photographs or make sketches of two kinds of soil erosion.

3. Conservative Practices

(a) Tell what is meant by conservation practices.
(b) Name, describe, and explain the effect of three kinds of erosion-control practices.
(c) Take photographs or make sketches of three kinds of erosion-control practices.

4. Watersheds

(a) Explain what a watershed is.

(b) Outline the smallest watershed that you can find easily on a contour map (preferably one with which you are familiar).

(c) Then outline, as far as possible, on your map the next larger watershed in which the smallest one is included.

(d) Explain what a river basin is and why all its residents should be concerned about land and water use in it.

5. Water Supply

(a) Make a sketch to illustrate the hydrologic cycle.

(b) Set up a small demonstration to show at least two of the following actions of water in relation to soil: percolation, capillary action, precipitation, evaporation, transpiration.

(c) Explain how fire, overgrazing, or removal of vegetation in other ways will affect the way water runs off a watershed.

(d) Tell how uses of forest, range, and cultivated land affect usable water supply.

(e) Explain how industrial use affects water supply.

6. Water Pollution

(a) Tell what is meant by water pollution.

(b) Describe common sources of water pollution in rivers or streams and explain the effects of pollution on fish and wildlife, boating, swimming, and the use of water for domestic, agricultural, and industrial purposes.

(c) Define the terms "primary water treatment," "secondary waste treatment," and "biological oxygen demand."

(d) Make a diagram illustrating the principles of complete waste treatment.

7. Projects

Do TWO projects from the following list:

(a) Make a trip to one of the following places and write a report of more than 500 words about the conservation practices you saw--(1) An agricultural experiment site, (2) A managed forest or woodlot, managed range or pasture, (3) A wildlife refuge or a fish or game management area, (4) A conservation-managed farm or ranch, (5) A watershed being managed to reduce sediment on a municipal water supply reservoir or a small watershed project in which soil and water conservation practices have been applied to the land, (6) A waste water treatment facility, (7) A public drinking water supply and treatment facility, (8) Industry use of water, (9) Desalinization plant.

(b) Plant at least 100 suitable trees, shrubs, and/or vines for a worthwhile purpose such as beautification, production of wood products, erosion control, or food and cover for wildlife.

(c) Seed an area of at least 1/5 acre for some worthwhile conservation purpose using grasses or legumes alone or in a mixture. The area may be a lawn, school grounds or campground, field, pasture, or range.

(d) Study a soil survey report and describe the things it contains. On tracing paper laid over any of the soil maps, outline an area that contains three or more different kinds of soil. The area selected may include an area that you know such as your camp, a farm, or ranch. For this selected area, do the following: List each different kind of soil by complete name and mapping symbol.

(e) Make an inventory of the areas in your neighborhood, on your campgrounds, school grounds, or a nearby park having erosion, sedimentation, or pollution problems. Describe how through individual, troop, or community action your suggested conservation measures could be put into effect.

(f) Carry out any other soil and water conservation project approved in advance by your counselor.