Earning the Hornaday Unit Award

1/18/2020

Over the past two summers, Troop 13 has participated in an invasive species control effort lead by Scout John Foong from Troop 159. For its contributions, Troop 13 was awarded an Unit Hornaday Award.

This Hornaday conservation award was named after Dr. William T. Hornaday, an American zoologist, ecologist, and conservationist. Dr. Hornaday also made great strides in public education about environmental stewardship. Since the 1970’s, the Boy Scouts of America has honored exceptional conservation efforts with the Hornaday Unit and Individual awards. The award is earned by Scouts or Troops that design and implement a conservation project that has a broadly positive effect on an environment’s condition.

Troop 13 worked alongside other Troops, Scouts, and non-BSA volunteers on the project. The project’s aim was to clear Frying Pan Farm Park of invasive Japanese Stiltgrass. In total, over a hundred 30-gallon waste bags were packed full of uprooted stiltgrass plants. Volunteers were careful to fully remove each plant, and organizers ensured that the bags were trashed and not disposed with yard waste, which could help the plant’s spread.

Like Frying Pan Farm, many other forests up and down the East Coast have been plagued by Japanese Stiltgrass. Japanese Stiltgrass, also known as ‘packing grass’ or ‘Nepalese brown-top,’ was brought to the U.S. in the 20th century by trade-ships from China, India, Japan, Malaysia, and the Caucasus. The grass spreads quickly, carpeting forest floors and preventing native ground-cover vegetation from receiving adequate sunlight. Stiltgrass can overrun native groundcover flora in a matter of months, effecting wider environmental change.

Japanese Stiltgrass is not the only species affecting American ecosystems. Due to a lack of predators, other Old World species like Zebra Mussels, Blue Catfish, Purple Loose-strife, Emerald Ash Borer, Feral Swine, Tree-of-Heaven, and Japanese Scarab Beetle thrive in New World ecosystems. Once invasives take hold, they can permanently alter entire regions and endanger the survival of native species.

Troop 13 is helping to stop stiltgrass’s take-over. Anyone can help conserve native ecosystems by staying active in your community and the outdoors: Education and communication is key. Consider finding a service project to take part in and encourage your friends and family to join you. Additionally, you can organize your own projects.

You can passively prevent the spread of the invasive species and animals by making sure the seeds and insects stay where they are. Clean your outdoor gear after each expedition and only use firewood from around your campsite to prevent the unintentional transport of seeds or insects. And you can help at any time by clearing your own yard of invasive species and planting native ones.

Any way you can help your community by conserving its native flora and fauna is greatly appreciated. Troop 13 thanks you.

-J.C.