Welcome to the Outdoor Ethics/Conservation page for Powhatan District
Outdoor Ethics is deeply ingrained in the BSA program. No place is this more important than in the outdoors. Scouting and Venturing have a long, proud tradition of conservation service to the nation. All BSA programs all include outdoor stewardship, care for the environment, and Leave No Trace. Through the Outdoor Code, Leave No Trace and Tread Lightly! we can take responsibility for our own impacts. We can provide leadership to those around us to reduce their impacts by making good choices. Together, we can preserve and conserve our rich environmental heritage.
As an American, I will do my best to:
Be clean in my outdoor manners.
Be careful with fire.
Be considerate in the outdoors.
Be conservation-minded.
7 Principles of Leave No Trace
- Plan ahead & prepare
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces
- Dispose of waste properly (pack in, pack out)
- Leave what you find
- Minimize campfire impacts
- Respect wildlife
- Be considerate of other visitors
BSA Outdoor Ethics and Conservation awards
Outdoor Ethics Awards: Awareness and Action awards for scouts and scouters
Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award 
and Outdoor Ethics Action Award
New NCAC Outdoor Ethics Awareness patch for Cub Scouts & adults 
Conservation Good Turn award
Like an Olympic medal bestowed by the Earth
The fundamental purpose of the Hornaday Awards program is to encourage learning by the participants and to increase public awareness about natural resource conservation. Understanding and practicing sound stewardship of natural resources and environmental protection strengthens Scouting’s emphasis on respecting the outdoors. The goal of this awards program is to encourage and recognize truly outstanding efforts undertaken by Scouting units, Scouts and Venturers, adult Scouters, and other individuals, corporations, and institutions that have contributed significantly to natural resource conservation and environmental protection. [ Read More ]
Looking for Project Ideas? Need an Advisor? Click Here for a list of Hornaday award advisors for 2018.
Click here for more information about Outdoor Ethics- Boy Scouts of America
Don’t forget to log your community service hours at the “Journey to Excellence” page here
Our Conservation activities in the news (click title to link to the article)
Local Scouts do their part adding to treescape in region
Cub Scouts and other volunteers help get rid of invasive plants in Oakton park
Herndon: Scouts Doing a Good Turn (page 7)
Local Scouts work to remove invasives from Fairfax park
Oakton Cub Scouts do their part to keep waterways clean
Local Cub Scout troop never ‘tires’ of providing conservation efforts
Powhatan Scouts earning Outdoor Ethics Awareness awards
Powhatan District Conservation Good Turn: Garlic Mustard Pull at Cub Run Valley Stream Park on 5/15/16
Thanks to all the participants!
Powhatan District Conservation Good Turn: plant native plants and remove invasive plants at Borge St Park on 4/17/16. Thanks for volunteering!
Gallery of Leave No Trace outings
If you have photos you’d like featured in this Leave No Trace gallery, please email them to Powhatan District’s Outdoor Ethics/Conservation Advocate Sara