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Longs Peak Council, BSA Banner - Colorado Front Range

SAVE OUR AMERICAN RESOURCES

The Longs Peak Council and Project SOAR

"Experiential Environmental Conservation Education"

SOAR's Mission

To encourage scouts of all ages to participate in Community or Conservation Projects.
Encourage partnership within the Community, etc to construct meaningful long lasting and visual projects.
Encourage scouts to learn about the endangered species.
Encourage Scouts to earn the World Conservation Award
Encourage Scouts to earn the William T. Hornaday Award

SOAR Patch

In order for Scouts and adult leaders to earn each year's SOAR patch they must complete a minimum of three (3) hours of conservation, environmental, or beautification service work. The Fort Robinson Tree Plant is just one example of the many conservation projects Scouts can do in the council. Project work can also be done in their home communities and at the council's five camp properties. Local unit leaders should contact local conservation professionals at parks, forests, wildlife refuges and environmental centers to arrange for suitable projects. Local unit leaders are the approving entity for patch project completion for their Scouts.

The cost of the patch is $3.00, and each year's patch is first available at the Fort Robinson Tree Plant in the spring. After this event patches will be available at all Long Peak Council Scout Shops/Trading Posts and summer camp trading posts at Camp Laramie Peak and the Ben Delatour Scout Ranch.

Some of the funds earned from the sale of these patches will go to support conservation programs through the Longs Peak Council's "Conservation Grant Program". In addition, some of the funds are used to support the William T. Hornaday Conservation Award Scholarship awarded annually by the Council Conservation Committee to a Boy Scout or Venturer who has earned the William T. Hornaday Conservation Award.

Project SOAR for 2012

Selected for the Project SOAR species of emphasis for 2012 is the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). The golden eagle has also been selected as a special tribute to honor the 100th Anniversary of the presentation of the first Eagle Scout Award badge in 1912.

Male golden eagles are very large raptors with a wing span up to seven feet in length and a weight of up to 9 pounds. Females are usually the larger of the two with weights up to 13 pounds, and on occasion a wing span exceeding seven feet. The birds are normally dark brown in color, and at times patches of white are found. On the back of their neck and head - the nape - can be found a "golden" feather area which is what gives the bird its name.

Immature bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) are at times confused as golden eagles as the white head and tail of the bald eagle do not appear until the bird is mature. Where a bald eagle has a white tail, the golden eagle has a band of dark feathers at the end of the tail and a white band at the base.

Golden eagles require large areas for hunting and eat a variety of small mammals such as rabbits, gophers, prairie dogs, and marmots. On occasion they may take a deer or pronghorn, and are known for feeding on carrion. Golden eagles usually build their nests on high cliffs, but are also known for using trees. Young eagles normally hatch out in April and leave the nest in mid to late summer. Typically one to three eggs are laid, but usually only one chick survives to adulthood as the largest and most aggressive chick kills the smaller and weaker others.

Golden eagles can be found throughout the three states of the Longs Peak Council, but are partial to the mountainous areas in the west.

Additional Information can be found at this website:

Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Golden Eagle

History: The Longs Peak Council has supported SOAR since 1980.
Conservation Projects: Over 600 SOAR projects have been done in the Council.; See pictures from past projects and a list of project ideas.
SOAR Patches: Scouts earn individual award patches for doing conservation projects.
Tree Planting: Tree planting is a Council tradition.
SNAGS: What good is a dead tree?
Conservation Grants: This program provides funding assistance for conservation projects, educational efforts, and research.
Supported Programs: Many programs have benefited from the funds raised by our SOAR program.
Program Recognition: Our SOAR Program has been recognized for its excellence.

For Further Information

Terry Dunn
Council Conservation Committee Chair
Email: conservation@longspeakbsa.org

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Last Updated Friday, 13-Jan-2012 09:46:53 MST