Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts organizations are among the oldest of our partners in improving habitat and and supporting outdoor recreation. Scout projects have improved and maintained trails, protected sensitive areas, improved shooting ranges, provided nesting habitat for birds and increased accessibility to outdoor users.
As important as these service projects is the organizations' commitment to getting kids outdoors. Scouting has long encouraged a healthy relationship with the outdoors. Both Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts can earn advancement and awards for many different areas of natural resources stewardship or outdoor recreation activities. Scouts can earn awards or recognition for events like hiking, fishing, archery, shotgun and rifle shooting, canoeing and kayaking.
For questions about scouting and the DNR, please Contact Ray Rustem at 517-284-6070, or email RustemR@Michigan.gov.
Iron Belle Trail Challenge
The Iron Belle Challenge began in 2015 as a Department of Natural Resources-sponsored scouting event to commemorate the establishment of the Michigan Iron Belle Trail, stretching over 1,200 miles between Belle Isle in Detroit and Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula. It began as a hiking event, but has grown to include participants who bike, kayak or canoe. Each year the DNR sponsors this trail event in conjunction with National Trails Day and encourages scouts to get out and enjoy one of Michigan's many trail opportunities.
Each scout who participates in the event receives a commemorative patch. An additional rocker patch can be earned by doing a stewardship activity that supports our trails or park systems during September.
This year's Iron Belle Challenge takes place June 6, 2020. In September you can show further support by participating in a stewardship project on National Public Lands Day, Sept. 26, 2020.
2020 Info
2019 Challenge Photos
Conservation Stewardship Award
To honor scouts who make a commitment to participating with the DNR in stewardship of Michigan's natural resources, we have created a Conservation Stewardship Award. By completing activities and other scout achievements and providing conservation stewardship service hours, younger scouts can earn a stewardship patch and older scouts are eligible to earn a stewardship medal. Older scouts are also eligible to receive pins to attach to the medal after completing additional achievements and stewardship hours.
- Questions and Answers About Conservation Stewardship Awards
- Girl Scout Conservation Stewardship Requirements
- Boy Scout Conservation Stewardship Requirements
- Conservation Stewardship Award Application - Girl Scouts
- Conservation Stewardship Award Application - Boy Scouts
Projects
- Service Projects for Scouts
Here's a list of service projects that your troop, pack or den may want to adopt. Some may be appropriate for Boy Scout Eagle or Girl Scout Gold awards. The list includes the name and location of the project, age range for participants, approximate number of work hours to complete, best season to participate and a DNR contact.
