Environmental Science Merit Badge College Prerequisites

Requirement 1.
Make a timeline of the history of environmental science in America. Identify the contribution made by the Boy Scouts of America to environmental science. Include dates, names of people or organizations, and important events.
Please bring timeline to the merit badge college for verification.

Requirement 2.
Define the following terms: population, community, ecosystem, biosphere, symbiosis, niche, habitat, conservation, threatened species, endangered species, extinction, pollution prevention, brownfield, ozone, watershed, airshed, nonpoint source, hybrid vehicle, fuel cell.
Please bring written definitions to the merit badge college for verification.

Requirement 3(e).
Do one of the following:
(1) Do research on one endangered species found in your state. Find out what its natural habitat is, why it is endangered, what is being done to preserve it, and how many individual organisms are left in the wild. Prepare a 100-word report about the organism, including a drawing. Present your report at the merit badge college.
(2) Do research on one species that was endangered or threatened but which has now recovered. Find out how the organism recovered and what its new status is. Write a 100-word report on the species and discuss it with your counselor. Present your report at the merit badge college.
(3) With your parent’s and counselor’s approval, work with a natural resource professional to identify two projects that have been approved to improve the habitat for a threatened or endangered species in your area. Visit the site of one of these projects present a report on what you saw at the merit badge college.

Requirement 3(f).
Do one of the following:
(1) Look around your home and determine 10 ways your family can help reduce pollution. Practice at least two of these methods for seven days and discuss what you learned at the merit badge college.
(2) Determine 10 ways to conserve resources or use resources more efficiently in your home, at school, or at camp. Practice at least two of these methods for seven days and discuss what you learned at the merit badge college.
(3) Perform an experiment on packaging materials to find out which ones are biodegradable.  Discuss your conclusion at the merit badge college.