Requirements
This award is a conservation related award with three levels and
three forms: Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals and certificates that are awarded to
Units, Youth or Adult;
Note: The square knot is reserved for those
earning the medals or the Gold Medallion.
Background
This conservation awards program was initiated in 1914 by Dr.
William T. Hornaday, then director of the New York Zoological Park, in an effort to
inspire members of the Boy Scouts of America to work constructively for conservation. For
twenty years the program was funded through Hornaday's Permanent Wildlife Protection Fund.
Upon his death, the program was sponsored for thirty-five years by the New York Zoological
Society and named in Hornaday's honor. The award is the oldest conservation award given in
the United States.
How to earn the Hornaday Award:
There are six different Hornaday awards (the
gold awards are for adults through nomination) with an ever-increasing scale of challenge.
The youth individual awards are based on earning certain merit badges and completing one
or more significant conservation projects.
Unit Certificate -
Awarded to a den, pack, patrol, team, post, or group of five or more Boy Scouts, Varsity
Scouts, or Explorers for a unique, substantial, conservational project.
Badge -
The unit certificate and badge are awarded by the local council's
conservation committee. Application is made through the local council. Councils may obtain
unit certificates and badges by sending approved award applications to the Boy Scout
Conservation Service at the national office.
Bronze Medal
- The bronze medal is awarded by the National Council upon recommendation of the
local council. A qualified Boy Scout or Varsity Scout must apply through and be
recommended by his or her local council. Final selection is made by a national William T.
Hornaday Award selection committee, and presentation is made by the local council.
Silver Medal - The silver medal is handled in the same way as the bronze medal in
regard to recommendation and application. The award is the highest possible attainment in
conservation for a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout.
Gold Medal - The
gold medal may be considered when a qualified Scouter is recommended by his or her
council, by an established conservation organization, or by any recognized
conservationist. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the
education of youth on a national or international level, reflecting the natural resource
conservation/environmental awareness mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Nominations
must be approved by the BSA's national conservation committee. The gold medal is the
highest possible attainment in conservation for a Scouter.
Gold Certificate -
The gold certificate is an award granted to an individual or
organization not necessarily affiliated with Scouting. The nominee must have demonstrated
leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a national or international
level, reflecting the natural resource conservation/environmental awareness mission of the
Boy Scouts of America.
Application Form
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Level of
Award |
Governing Body |
Who can Earn |
Form of Award |
How to Qualify |
Basic Requirements |
Unit
Award |
Council |
Pack, Troop,
Team, Post |
Certificate |
By Nomination or Apply |
Complete One Project, 60% of Unit Contributes |
Badge
Award |
Council |
Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Explorer |
Pin and Certificate |
Apply |
First Class, Complete One Project, Earn Five Designated Merit Badges |
Bronze
Medal |
National |
Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Explorer |
Medal, Certificate, and Square Knot |
Apply |
>First Class, Complete Four Projects, Earn Six Designated Merit Badges |
Silver
Medal |
National |
Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Explorer |
Medal, Certificate, and Square Knot |
Apply |
First Class, Complete Four Projects, Earn Nine Designated Merit Badges |
Gold
Medal |
National |
Adult Scouter |
Medal, Certificate, and Square Knot |
Apply |
Adult
Scouter, Leadership to Conservation |
Gold
Certificate |
National |
Individual, Corporation, or Organization |
Certificate |
By Nomination |
Outstanding Contribution to Youth
Conservation Education |
|