Scouts Seek Conservation Badges This Weekend At Bolsa Chica

HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA — The Orange County Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are now able to pursue a Soil and Water Conservation merit badge or patch through the Bolsa Chica Conservancy, thanks to a collaboration with the Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC).

The Conservancy will provide hands-on, STEM-based science workshops intended to expand the water knowledge of Orange County youth, and cultivate the skills of future scientists.

“The Municipal Water District of Orange County has committed to provide top-notch water
education, training opportunities, and career path possibilities to our youth leaders of today
and tomorrow,” said MWDOC Board President, Brett Barbre. “Our partnership with the Bolsa Chica Conservancy will ensure that a quality, STEM-based program is offered to all Orange County Scouts who participate in our patch or merit badge clinics.”

“Educating youth is the cornerstone of the Bolsa Chica Conservancy’s mission,” said Executive
Director, Grace Adams. “Collaborating with MWDOC to achieve our common goal of engaging
youth in hands-on, immersive conservation work is a vital step in preparing our future stewards and leaders.”

The merit badge is earned through a four-hour clinic at the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.
Organized by MWDOC, the clinic includes an overview of Orange County water supply and sources, a guided tour of the wetlands, and lab work that meet scout standards and badge requirements.

Subject areas include wetland ecology, watershed protection, biology and history with an emphasis on conservation and restoration. The Soil and Water Conservation Merit Badge is a required badge for the World Conservation Award, and may be applied as one of 21 merit badges required for Eagle Scout.

Workshops for Soil and Water Conservation badges will occur on Saturdays, July 14 and July 20, at the Conservancy’s Interpretive Center at 3843 Warner Ave. Registration is required through MWDOC at mwdoc.com.

In over 28 years, the Conservancy has served close to 600,000 students, volunteers, visitors and community members from over 48 countries and 42 states through its STEM-based education and public awareness programs.

Orange County Scouts photo, by permission