Conservation &
Environment

Conservation Committee

“We abuse land because we see it as a commodity belonging to us. When we see land as a community to which we belong, we may begin to use it with love and respect.”

-Aldo Leopold

Committee Information

Purpose

The Conservation Committee is a subcommittee of the HAC’s Properties and Maintenance Committee.

The HAC Conservation Committee serves as a resource for conservation, environmental, and sustainability-related topics. Our vision is guided by principles central to the BSA, including the Outdoor Code and Leave No Trace, and by conservation management best-practices from national, regional, and local organizations.

Members

Committee Chair: Shaun Vecera (also the Council Outdoors Ethics Advocate)
Council Staff Liaison: Josh Yoder, Camp Ranger

Committee Members:
Joel Cardo
Brad Cronk
Melissa Glasser
Markam Harris
Phil LaRue
Maureen Marron
Ted Weiland
Trina Weiland
Gary Wenisch

Meeting Schedule

The Council Conservation Committee meets monthly, with meetings typically in the evening on the third Tuesday of the month. The time and location of meetings is subject to change.

Committee Responsibilities

● Supporting and coordinating conservation efforts in the council, including serving as the primary resource for conservation, environmental, and sustainability-related advancement and programming.
● Promoting and providing oversight of conservation awards, including reviewing and approving Distinguished Conservation Service Awards projects and applications.
● Offering Leave No Trace training as instructors are available and representing Outdoor Ethics.
● Conducting prairie restoration and management with prescribed burns, mowing, planting, controlling weeds and invasive species at the COPE Prairie, the Ecology Prairie, the Sandhill Prairie, and the Lower Meadow Prairie.
● Conducting woodland restoration and management by planting native species and removing invasive species.
● Conducting restoration and management of other natural areas, such as aquatic areas of camp (Buffalo Bog, Frog Pond, John’s Lake) and trails.
● Working to restore native ecosystems through Invasive species management 
● Supporting management of the Hove Grove Orchard.
● Encouraging ongoing growth of the honeybee program, including establishing healthy hives at camp and offering educational information about beekeeping.
● Encouraging ongoing growth of the monarch program, including nurturing monarch caterpillars in hoop houses and offering education information and monarch tagging events.

● Developing and managing nature trails on Council property.

Outdoor Ethics and Leave No Trace

From a Cub Scout’s first hike in a local park to the thrill of our High Adventure bases, from our backyard to the backcountry, our outdoor ethics guide us to be responsible outdoor citizens — protecting our natural world for generations to come and being considerate of other visitors. Scouting has a long, proud tradition of conservation service to the nation.

Conservation Project Ideas

Please join us in supporting conservation efforts at your camp and earn service hours for rank advancement and other requirements. The Council Conservation Committee hosts a Conservation Work Day the first Saturday of every month except July.

Conservation Awards

The BSA has several conservation awards available.

Conservation Resources

The BSA also has several conservation resources available.

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts.”

-Rachel Carson

Contact the Conservation Committee