Nature

Nature requirements

1. Name three ways in which plants are important to animals. Name a plant that is important to animals that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.
2. Name three ways in which animals are important to plants. Name an animal that is protected in your state or region, and explain why it is at risk.
3. Explain the term "food chain." Give an example of a four-step land food chain and a four-step water food chain.
4. Do all the requirements in FIVE of the following fields:

   (a) Birds

   (1) In the field, identify eight species of birds.

   (2) Make and set out a birdhouse OR a feeding station OR a birdbath. List what birds used it during a period of one month.

   (b) Mammals

   (1) In the field, identify three species of wild mammals.

   (2) Make plaster casts of the tracks of a wild mammal.

   (c) Reptiles and Amphibians

   (1) Show that you can recognize the venomous snakes in your area.

   (2) In the field, identify three species of reptiles or amphibians.

   (3) Recognize one species of toad or frog by voice; OR identify one reptile or amphibian by eggs, den, burrow or other signs.

   (d) Insects and Spiders

   (1) Collect and identify either in the field or through photographs 10 species of insects or spiders.

   (2) Hatch an insect from the pupa or cocoon; OR hatch adults from nymphs; OR keep larvae until they form pupae or cocoons; OR keep a colony of ants or bees through one season.

   (e) Fish

   (1) Identify two species of fish native to your area.

   (2) Collect four kinds of animal food eaten by fish in the wild.

   (f) Mollusks and Crustateans

   (1) Identify five species of mollusks and crustaceans.

   (2) Collect, mount, and label six shells.

   (g) Plants

   (1) In the field, identify 15 species of wild plants.

   (2) Collect and label seeds of six plants; OR the leaves of 12 plants.

   (h) Soils and Rocks

   (1) Collect and identify soils found in different layers of a soil profile.

   (2) Collect and identify five different types of rocks from your area.

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NOTES:

• In most cases all specimens should be returned to the wild at the location of original capture after the requirements have been met. Check with your merit badge counselor for those instances where the return of these specimens would not be appropriate.
• Under the Endangered Species Act of 1973, some plants and animals are or may be protected by federal law. The same ones and/or others may be protected by state law. Be sure that you do not collect protected species.
• Your state may require that you purchase and carry a license to collect certain species. Check with the wildlife and fish and game official in your state regarding species regulations before you begin to collect.

The official source for the information shown in this article or section is: 2018 Boy Scout Requirements, 2018 Edition (BSA Supply SKU #641568)

A FREE workbook for Nature is available here! with the maps, charts, links, diagrams, and checklists you need! Or click here to print just the Nature requirements.

meritbadge.org has PDF and DOC versions of Boy Scout merit badge workbooks, Webelos workbooks, Cub Scout workbooks, and Nova Award workbooks.

• Per the BSA: "You should read the merit badge pamphlet on the subject." Pamphlets (books) are at local Scout Shops and online at ScoutStuff.org.
• "Get a signed Merit Badge application from your Scoutmaster." An online, printable Word doc file version is available.

• Boy 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
• Boy Scout awards: Conservation Good Turn Award - Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award - William T. Hornaday award - World Conservation Award
• Venturing: Ranger Award electives: Ecology - Plants and Wildlife; Awards: Conservation Good Turn Award - Outdoor Ethics Awareness Award - William T. Hornaday award - World Conservation Award
• Wolf Scout
  • Paws on the Path, Grow Something, Requirements 1 and 2 from Spirit of the Water
• Bear Scout
  • Fur, Feathers, and Ferns, Bear Goes Fishing, Critter Care, Requirement 3 from Baloo the Builder
• Webelos Scouts (Including Webelos II's earning the Arrow of Light award)
  • 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 boys 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.)