Looking for something to do on Saturday, October 3, 2026?
How about working on the Soil and Water Management Merit Badge?
Hosted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

The service work (why you need to bring work gloves and a shovel) we are doing is to help the soil and water habitat for the Southeastern Beach Mouse which is a small, threatened mammal — about the size of a human hand when fully grown — that is the only protected small mammal known to inhabit the coastal dunes and nearby scrub. It is federally listed as threatened, and its survival depends on intact coastal dune and coastal strand habitats. We will be digging up 3 types of trees in their new habitat and replanting those trees in another area at Pelican Island National Refuge plus soil conservation to improve the Southeastern Beach Mouse habitat.

Date: Saturday, October 3, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Be early to get a good seat and get signed in!) ***Sam’ Club Pizza will be provided***
Where: Pelican Island National Wildlife Refuge, 4055 Wildlife Way, Vero Beach, FL
Special Note: This is a secure facility and NO KNIVES are allowed. At the time of check in, a liability and photograph wavier will have to be signed by an adult so the Scout can perform the required service work.
Cost: Nothing
Attire: Activity Uniform (Previously known as Class B) and close-toed shoes.

Materials that you need to bring: WORK GLOVES and a SHOVEL! Water Bottle, Snack, Notebook and a Pen.
Make sure you have reviewed what the requirements are for this merit badge BEFORE you attend.
Requirements: Participate in the merit badge class! Just attending the class will not earn you the merit badge.

**You must preregister by Sunday, September 27, 2026**

How to register: https://www.gulfstreamcouncil.org/irmb

Have questions? Kevin Platts at asmplatts@gmail.com

We want to especially thank the staff at the Department of Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, at the Pelican Island National Refuge for hosting this merit badge class!