Forestry

Forestry merit badge requirements

1. Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify 15 species of trees, wild shrubs, or vines in a local forested area. Write a description in which you identify and discuss the following:

   a. The characteristics of leaf, twig, cone, or fruiting bodies

   b. The habitat in which these trees, shrubs or vines are found.

   c. The important ways each tree, shrub, or vine is used by humans or wildlife and whether the species is native or was introduced to the area. If it is not native, explain whether it is considered invasive or potentially invasive.

2. Do ONE of the following:

   a. Collect and identify wood samples of 10 species of trees. List several ways the wood of each species can be used.

   b. Find and examine three stumps, logs, or core samples that show variations in the growth rate of their ring patterns. In the field notebook you prepared for requirement 1, describe the location or origin of each example (including elevation, aspect, slope, and the position on the slope), and discuss possible reasons for the variations in growth rate. Photograph or sketch each example.

   c. Find and examine two types of animal, insect, or disease damage to trees. In the field notebook you prepared for requirement 1, identify the damage, explain how the damage was caused, and describe the effects of the damage on the trees. Photograph or sketch each example.

3. Do the following:

   a. Describe contributions forests make to:

   1. Our economy in the form of products.

   2. Our social well-being, including recreation

   3. Soil protection and increased fertility.

   4. Clean water.

   5. Clean air. (carbon cycling, sequestration)

   6. Wildlife habitat

   7. Fisheries habitat

   8. Threatened and endangered species of plants and animals

   b. Tell which watershed or other source your community relies on for its water supply.

4. Describe what forest management means, including the following:

   a. Multiple-use management

   b. Sustainable forest management

   c. Even-aged and uneven-aged management and silvicultural systems associated with each

   d. Intermediate cuttings.

   e. The role of prescribed burning and related forest management practices.

5. With your parent's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:

   a. Visit a managed public or private forest area with its manager or a forester familiar with it. Write a brief report describing the type of forest, the management objectives, and the forestry techniques used to achieve the objectives.

   b. Take a trip to a logging operation or wood-using industrial plant and write a brief report describing:

   1. The species and size of trees being harvested or used and the location of the harvest area or manufacturer.

   2. The origin of the forest or stands of trees being utilized (e.g., planted or natural)

   3. The forest's successional stage. What is its future?

   4. Where the trees are coming from (land ownership) or where they are going (type of mill or processing plant)

   5. The products that are made from the trees

   6. How the products are made and used

   7. How waste materials from the logging operation or manufacturing plant are disposed of or utilized

   c. Take part in a forest-fire prevention campaign in cooperation with your local fire warden, state wildfire agency, forester, or counselor. Write a brief report describing the campaign, how it will help prevent wildfires, and your part in it.

6. In your camp, local recreation area (park or equivalent), or neighborhood, inventory the trees that may be a hazard to structures or people. Make a list by area (campsite, road, trail, street, etc.). Note the species and hazardous condition, and suggest a remedy (removal or trimming). Make your list available to the proper authority or agency.
7. Do the following:

   a. Describe the consequences to forests that result from FIVE of the following elements: wildfire, absence of fire, destructive insects, loss of pollinating insect population, tree diseases, air pollution, overgrazing, deer or other wildlife overpopulation, improper harvest, and urbanization.

   b. Explain what can be done to reduce the consequences you discussed in 7a.

   c. Describe what you should do if you discover a forest fire and how a professional firefighting crew might control it. Name your state or local wildfire control agency.

8. Visit one or more local foresters and write a brief report about the person (or persons). Or, write about a forester's occupation including the education, qualifications, career opportunities, and duties related to forestry.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: Scouts BSA Requirements, 2019 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #648914)

A FREE workbook for Forestry is available here! (PDF or Word) with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Forestry requirements.

usscouts.org has PDF and Word versions of workbooks for Scouts BSA ranks and merit badges, Cub Scouting ranks and adventures, and STEM Nova awards.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." The Forestry merit badge pamphlet can purchased at ScoutSthop.org or at your local Scout Shop.
• "Get a signed Application for Merit Badge ... from your unit leader." An electronic, fillable, and printable PDF file version is available.

• Scout merit badges: Bird Study  •  Environmental Science  •  Fish and Wildlife Management  •  Forestry  •  Gardening  •  Geology  •  Insect Study  •  Mammal Study  •  Nature  •  Oceanography  •  Plant Science  •  Reptile and Amphibian Study  •  Soil and Water Conservation  •  Sustainability
• Scout awards: Conservation Good Turn Award  •  Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award  •  Outdoor Ethics Action Award  •  National Outdoor Badge for Conservation  •  William T. Hornaday award  •  World Conservation Award
• Venturing Ranger Award electives: Ecology  •  Plants and Wildlife
• Venturer awards: Conservation Good Turn Award  •  Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award  •  Outdoor Ethics Action Award  •  National Outdoor Badge for Conservation  •  William T. Hornaday award  •  World Conservation Award
• Wolf Scout adventures: Paws on the Path  •  Grow Something  •  Requirements 1 and 2 from Spirit of the Water
• Bear Scout adventures: Fur, Feathers, and Ferns  •  Bear Goes Fishing  •  Critter Care  •  Requirement 3 from Baloo the Builder
• Webelos Scouts/Arrow of Light adventures: Building a Better World  •  Into the Wild  •  Into the Woods  •  Earth Rocks  •  Adventures in Science
• Cub Scout awards: Conservation Good Turn Award  •  World Conservation Award

• An Introduction to Merit Badges – how to get started, who chooses the counselor, etc.
• Merit Badge revision dates – latest revision dates of each merit badge pamphlet.
• Merit Badge Worksheets & Requirements – with the revision dates, diagrams, charts, checklists, logs, and links you need.
• Merit Badge Application – offers online resources to let you print "Blue Cards," etc.
• Merit Badge FAQ – answers dozens of questions like: Who can be a counselor? Can requirements be added or removed?
• Merit Badges Requiring Prior Approval – Certain requirements need prior approval. Most do not. Here is the list.
• Also see: List of how many youths have earned each Merit Badge – Merit Badge policies – Merit badges required for the Eagle Scout rank – Merit Badge Days
• Additionally: List of Merit Badges by Field of Study – Merit Badge Pamphlets & Libraries
• Merit Badge Counselors must complete Youth Protection Training, file an Adult Application (and Merit Badge Counselor Information Form); and be approved by the local council. (See the Guide for Merit Badge Counselors for additional details.)
• See Submitting New Merit Badge Ideas for guidance on how to submit suggestions for new merit badges to BSA.