Prerequisites:

2. Ecology. Do the following and discuss with your counselor:

Resources: Merlin Bird App Description (video)

INaturalist App Description (video)

Observing Nature Through SMELL (video)

(a) Choose an area approved by your counselor and observe (sight, sound, and smell) its ecosystem over a two-day period.
Resources: Observe Nature Like a Scientist! (video)
Observing Nature (video)
Backyard Nature (video)

(b) Make notes about the living, nonliving (e.g. rocks) and formerly living components. Include information about interactions among the components, including the food chain, predators, native species, and invasive species) and identify how human activities have affected the ecosystem.

6. Rare, Threatened, or Endangered Species. Do ONE of the following and discuss with your counselor:

(a) Do research on one endangered species found in your state. Learn about its natural habitat, why it is endangered, what is being done to preserve it, and how many individual species are left in the wild. Prepare a 100-word report about the species and include a drawing or photo. Present your report to your patrol or troop.
Resources: Endangered Species by US State (video)
Are Endangered Species Worth Saving? (video)
Saving Threatened Plants (video)

(b) Do research on one species that was endangered or threatened but that has now recovered. Learn about how the species recovered, and what its new status is. Prepare a 100-word report on the species and include a drawing or photo. Present your report to your patrol or troop.
Resources: 10 Success Stories (video)
Condor Saved! (video)
Whooping Cranes Saved! (video)

(c) With your parent or guardian and counselor's approval, work with a natural resource professional to identify a completed project that has been designed to improve the habitat for a threatened or endangered species in your area. Visit the site and report on what you saw to your patrol or troop.
Resources: Butterfly Habitat Restoration (video)
Fisheries Habitat Restoration (video)
Everglades Restoration (video)