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Scout works on urban reforestation for Eagle Scout project
Scouts from Troop 345, lead by Life Scout Anthony Rabaey, worked on a conservation and reforestation project for Urban Forestry Division of Round Rock Park and Recreation Department. The project, a requirement for Anthony's Eagle Award, was completed on Dec. 1 at Old Settlers Park. Anthony, an eighth grader at St. Mary's Catholic School in Taylor, lives in Round Rock. Anthony has been active in Scouting since first grade, and a member of Troop 345 for three years. Troop 345 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at St William Church in Round Rock. Anthony received advice and assistance on the project from Jim Carse, forestry supervisor of the City of Round Rock, Parks & Rec. Dept.-Forestry Division. The project involved removing invasive plant species, followed by the planting of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), a tree native to the area. The project was carried out near the banks of Chandler Creek, which runs along the south side of Old Settlers Park between Dell Diamond and the park. Prior to the project workday, Anthony met with Carse to flag trees and non-native plants that would be removed and marked areas where the baldcypress trees would be planted. Baldcypress trees are well adapted to riparian habitats, which mean that they grow well near streambeds or water. The Scouts met on a damp Dec. 1 morning. More than 25 Scouts, Scout leaders and parents assisted with the Eagle project. The scouts were separated into groups of two to three scouts plus an adult leader or senior Scout. The scouts used pick axes, shovels, loppers, saws and axes to remove brush and smaller trees. Once an area was cleared, holes were dug. Carse used a chain saw to remove larger trees where necessary. After the baldcypress trees were planted, Scouts put cages around each tree for protection against deer, beaver and flooding. Anthony began planning the project in early 2007 and met with Mr Carse and other advisors to write a project proposal that described the project plan. The project plan included identifying safety issues, identified necessary tools and supplies and described a work plan. The project plan required approval by District Scout Leaders before work could begin. Anthony plans to extend the Eagle project into a year-long conservation project, as part of a national Scouting conservation award program. This conservation program, called the William T. Hornaday Award, requires the Scout to take a long term view of conservation and increase public awareness about natural resource conservation.
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