A Scout cares for the environment

“The man who is blind to the beauties of Nature has missed half the pleasure of life.”
- Lord Robert Baden-Powell

Since Scouting began, young people have been connecting with the outdoors, learning from nature and taking positive action for their local and global environments. Today the world is facing many more environmental challenges than when Scouting started; therefore it is crucial to keep the environment central to Scouting and to ensure that Scouts are a positive force for change.

Scouting plays an important role in connecting people with the natural world, especially given the increasing separation of young people from the natural environment. With nearly 50% of the world’s population living in urban settings, it is important for Scouts to learn about plants, animals, conservation and the ‘bigger environmental picture’.

Every year, Scouts across Australia organise and participate in a huge number of environmental activities including erosion prevention works, energy and water saving projects, wildlife monitoring projects, tree plantings and environmental training courses. Many Scout Groups are also involved with national events such as Clean Up Australia Day.

The current National Adviser for Environment is Mr Gus Lloyd.

"As a Scout, you are the guardian of the woods. A Scout never damages a tree by hacking it with his knife or axe. It does not take long to fell a tree, but it takes many years to grow one, so a Scout cuts down a tree for a good reason only – not just for the sake of using his axe. For every tree felled, two should be planted."

- Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 'Scouting For Boys: Campfire Yarn No. 16. Plants'

• Environment Partners & Events
• World Scout Environment Badge
• Environment Charter
• Scout Environment Weeks
• Resources & Links
• Environment Competitions