Soil and Water Conservation
The requirements for Soil and Water Conservation merit badge were
revised effective January 1, 1998.
- Do the following:
- Tell what soil is. Tell how it is formed.
- Describe the three main plant nutrients in fertile
soil. Tell how they can be put back when used up.
- Do the following:
- Define soil erosion.
- Tell why it is important. Tell how it affects you.
- Name three kinds of soil erosion. Describe each.
- Take pictures or draw two kinds of soil erosion.
- Do the following:
- Tell what is meant by conservation practices.
- Describe the effect of three kinds of erosion-
control practices.
- Take pictures or draw three kinds of erosion-
control practices.
- Do the following:
- Explain what a watershed is.
- Outline the smallest watershed that you can find on
a contour map.
- Then outline on your map, as far as possible, the
next larger watershed which also has the smallest
in it.
- Explain what a river basin is. Tell why all people
living in it should be concerned about land and
water use on it.
- Do the following:
- Make a drawing to show the water cycle.
- Show by demonstration at least two of the following
actions of water to the soil: percolation,
capillary action, precipitation, evaporation,
transpiration.
- Explain how removal of vegetation will affect the
way water runs off a watershed.
- Tell how uses of forest, range, and farm land
affect usable water supply.
- Explain how industrial use affects water supply.
- Do the following:
- Tell what is meant by water pollution.
- Describe the common sources of water pollution and
explain the effects.
- Tell what is meant by "primary water treatment,"
"secondary waste treatment," and "biochemical
oxygen demand."
- Make a drawing showing the principles of complete
waste treatment.
- Do TWO of the following:
- Make a trip to two of the following places. Write a
report of more than 500 words about the soil and
water and energy conservation practices you saw.
- an agricultural experiment.
- a managed forest or woodlot, range, or pasture.
- a wildlife refuge or a fish or game management area.
- A conservation-managed farm or ranch.
- A managed watershed.
- A waste-treatment plant.
- A public drinking water treatment plant.
- Industry water use installation.
- Desalinization plant.
- Plant 100 trees, bushes and/or vines for a good
purpose.
- Seed an area of at least 1/5 acre for some
worthwhile conservation purpose, using suitable
grasses or legumes alone or in a mixture.
- Study a soil survey report. Describe the thing in
it. On tracing paper over any of the soil maps,
outline an area with three or more different kinds
of soil. List each kind of soil by full name and
map symbol.
- Make a list of places in your neighborhood, camps,
school ground, or park having erosion,
sedimentation, or pollution problems. Describe how
these could be corrected through individual or
group action.
- Carry out any other soil and water conservation
project approved in advance.
Requirements: