Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge

Soil and Water Conservation and the Trail to Eagle

Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge Requirements

Summary of the 7 main requirements for Soil and Water Conservation. Always confirm the exact wording with your counselor or the current official BSA requirements.

1. 1

   Do the following:

   1. a.Tell what soil is. Tell how it is formed.
   2. b.Describe three kinds of soil. Tell how they are different.
   3. c.Name the three main plant nutrients in fertile soil. Tell how they can be put back when used up.
2. 2

   Do the following:

   1. a.Define soil erosion.
   2. b.Tell why soil erosion is important and how it affects you.
   3. c.Name three kinds of soil erosion. Describe each.
   4. d.Take pictures of or draw two kinds of soil erosion.
3. 3

   Do the following:

   1. a.Tell what is meant by conservation practices.
   2. b.Describe the effect of three kinds of erosion-control practices.
   3. c.Take pictures of or draw three kinds of erosion-control practices.
4. 4

   Do the following:

   1. a.Explain what a watershed is.
   2. b.Outline the smallest watershed that you can find on a contour map.
   3. c.Outline the next larger watershed that also has the smallest in it.
   4. d.Explain what a river basin is.
   5. e.Explain what an aquifer is and why it can be important to communities.
5. 5

   Do the following:

   1. a.Make a drawing to show the hydrologic cycle.
   2. b.Demonstrate at least two of the following actions of water in relation to soil.
   3. c.Explain how removal of vegetation will affect the way water runs off a watershed.
   4. d.Tell how uses of forest, range, and farmland affect usable water supply.
   5. e.Explain how industrial use affects water supply.
6. 6

   Do the following:

   1. a.Tell what is meant by 'water pollution.'
   2. b.Describe common sources of water pollution and explain the effects of each.
   3. c.Explain the terms: primary water treatment, secondary waste treatment, biochemical oxygen demand.
   4. d.Make a drawing showing the principles of complete waste treatment.
7. 7

   Do TWO of the following:

   1. a.Make a trip to TWO of the following places and write a report about the soil and water conservation practices you saw.
   2. b.Plant 100 trees, bushes, and/or vines for a good purpose.
   3. c.Seed an area of at least one-fifth acre for some worthwhile conservation purposes.
   4. d.Study a soil survey report.
   5. e.Make a list of places in your area that have erosion, sedimentation, or pollution problems.
   6. f.Carry out any other soil and water conservation project approved by your counselor.

Merit badge names and emblems are trademarks of Scouting America (Boy Scouts of America). Eagle Compass is an independent tool and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Scouting America. Requirements are summarized for planning purposes; the official requirements are authoritative.

How to Earn the Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge

Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge FAQ

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