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WALK ON THE WILD SIDE BLM AT THE 2001 NATIONAL SCOUT JAMBOREE CONSERVATION TRAIL
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BLM Tells Scouts to "Walk on the Wild Side" at National Jamboree "Hands On" was the operative phrase as The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) capitalized on a unique opportunity to teach thousands of youngsters about outdoor ethics and natural resource conservation at the National Boy Scout Jamboree held at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia July 22 - August 1. Happening only once every four years, the Jamboree draws an estimated 40,000 boy scouts from all over the country, and from several foreign countries, as well as an estimated 200,000 visitors. The BLM hosted several events during the Jamboree, enlisting about 40 staff members and volunteers who also traveled from all parts of the country to help out. The exhibit staff included several archaeologists, fire specialists, and paleontologists, as well as weed and plant experts and expert mountain bike riders. Their enthusiasm was not deterred by the long hours, sweltering humid temperatures, occasional rain and lightening bolts nor by the aggressive mosquitoes and ticks that call the area home. The BLM staff concentrated their efforts in four areas: a special 5-part BLM exhibit on the Conservation Trail; two Leave No Trace stations, and a booth on the Merit Badge Midway. "Living with Fire": This component taught Scouts about both the importance of fire to natural systems, and how to create a "Firewise" home near wildlands. In the interactive "Firewise Challenge," Scouts had only a few minutes to make two kid-size homes as firewise as possible. Appropriate props and effects were employed to give the experience a realistic feel, and successful Scouts were given a reward. "Ancient Life, Frozen in Time": Scouts had the opportunity to interact with real-life paleontologists in a tent-museum. Over the duration of the Jamboree, specialists uncovered actual plaster-jacketed dinosaur fossils, demonstrated professional tools and techniques, and discussed the many public lands fossil specimens on display. A dinosaur quarry map was used as part of Scout activities. The Utah Museum of Natural History was a partner with BLM on this portion of the exhibit. "Buildings from the Earth": This cultural resources exhibit focused on Spanish and American Indian adobe structures, allowing Scouts to experiment with various adobe brick "recipes" and actual on-site brick making. The exhibit also stressed the importance of guarding the past by protecting cultural resources on public lands. "Ride Lively, But Lightly": Using natural obstacles and terrain irregularities on the BLM site, International Mountain Bicycling Association representatives gave mountain bike riding performances to demonstrate riding techniques that are safe, ethical, and fun. Tread Lightly! and Leave No Trace ethics were stressed. "Silent Invaders": Scouts negotiated a complex green maze by correctly answering questions related to invasive plant species, the habitat problems they cause, and what Scouts can do to help stop their spread. The U.S. Geological Survey Biological Resources Division was a partner on this portion of the exhibit. Interpretive/educational panels and "get-down-and-dirty" activities were been prepared for each section of the exhibit, staffed by BLM resource specialists. Jamboree-ers were encouraged to ask questions. In addition to the above, exhibit orientation and exit area displays provided information about BLM, described the public lands, and reinforced ethics and responsibility messages. BLM also had a booth on the "Merit Badge Midway," which allowed Scouts to fulfill some of the requirements for the Environmental Science Merit Badge. In addition, BLM joined the National Park Service and the Forest Service to present the Leave No Trace (LNT) message. Scouts got a 20 minute introduction to LNT principles along the Conservation Trail where participants walked through a "model camp" staffed by LNT masters from the agencies. There also was a seven-station LNT training site at the Order of the Arrow's "The Outdoor Adventure Place." Here, groups of 30-35 Scouts and leaders went through the various stations which each addressed a LNT principle. Each station was taught by a different instructor. Scouts who completed the hour+-long training received a special LNT patch and a hang tag that listed LNT principles. It took at least 22 people each day to keep the BLM exhibits and activities running smoothly. These employees - and several volunteers - came voluntarily to work in central Virginia's extreme heat and humidity. Many of them came several days early to do the heavy construction work required to set everything up. Others stayed late on the last day to take it all down. Some of the volunteers paid their own way and took leave of their "day" jobs to come help out. Why? Because to them, there is nothing as satisfying as seeing the eyes of a young person who is learning something new, trying something different, and excited about applying that knowledge back home in their scouting, family and community activities. And besides, it got them out of the office!
You can find out more about the Scout Jamboree, its history, and 2001 program activities at the official 2001 National Scout Jamboree homepage at http://www.scouting.org/jamboree. General information on the Boy Scouts is available at the Boy Scouts of America National Council homepage at http://www.scouting.org/. Return to the top of this page.
BOY SCOUTS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE -- WOW! Cool Facts About Your Public Lands! In May 2001, paleontologists from BLM and the Museum of Northern Arizona began excavation of parts of a duck-billed dinosaur--a hadrosaur of the genus Parasaurolopus--from sandstone in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, one of the most remote areas in North America. This unique find even included a rare fossil of dino skin! Teachers can register their classes to attend an "electronic field trip" to the site in October 2001. Twelve-thousand-year-old spear points, made by some of the earliest humans in North America, were found by BLM Archaeologists on public lands in Arctic Alaska. On October 15, 1997, the 11-ton Thrust SSC (a supersonic car with power equivalent to that of 1,000 Ford Escorts or 141 Formula One race cars) broke the world land-speed record on public lands in northwestern Nevada. Roy Air Force fighter pilot Andy Green of Great Britain broke the sound barrier as he whipped the huge black car across Nevada's Black Rock Desert playa, a dry lake bed, at an average run of 763.035 m.p.h. (or Mach 1.020) This shattered the previous records of 633.468 m.p.h. (October 1983) and 714.144 m.p.h. (September 1997), which were also set by Thurst cars on the Black Rock Desert. The world jet-car land speed record has been set--and broken--on public lands. On October 4, 1983, Driver Richard Noble whipped the jet-car "Project Thrust" up to 633.468 miles per hour on the Black Rock Desert playa, a dry lake bed in northwestern Nevada. His record has been broken twice since then. Forest fires and other wildfires can be frightening -- even deadly -- but in the long run, their effects on the public lands are often positive. Some plants need forest fires' very high temperatures to reproduce, and fire can clear a forest of choking brush, making more room for wildlife. One of the biggest threats to the public lands is invasion by noxious weeds. These alien intruders, which often look beautiful, engulf 4,600 acres a day: think of each of those acres as a football field, and you'll have some idea how big the problem is. Over 40,000 wild horses and burros roam free on public lands in the West. These hardy animals are descendants of domestic horses that escaped from Spanish explorers, ranchers, miners, soldiers, and Native Americans. Countless popular movies have been filmed against the backdrop of the public lands' stunning scenery. Among many others, "Thelma and Louise," "Silverado," and "A River Runs Through It" all depended on the riches of the public lands for their stories' spectacular physical settings. BLM manages a whopping 264 million acres of public lands, located mostly in 11 western states and Alaska. And the coolest fact of all? These vast lands, and their incredible gifts, belong to you. Return to the top of this page.
We Can Help Protect Our Treasures! Remember the traditional American folk song that begins, "This land is your land, this land is my land . . ."? Well, public lands managed by BLM are literally owned by all Americans, giving us all a shared interest in their care and in their future -- we are all stewards of their one-of-a-kind treasures. Let's make sure our actions don't harm the fish, wildlife, plants -- and people -- whose lives or livelihoods depend on healthy lands. Here's what we can do when we visit our public lands:
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All over the West, Boy Scouts are getting involved with their public lands through projects they design and complete to earn the rank of Eagle Scout. Over the years, for example, Eagle Scout candidates performed these valuable services on the public lands, with guidance from BLM resource specialists:
So how about designing your own public-lands Eagle Scout project? Think of all the resources that need your protection, all the many skills that you could provide, the generations of Americans who would enjoy the benefits of your work. Then do a little research, use your imagination, and create an innovative project of your own. Some project areas you might consider are:
The possibilities are endless! To learn more about arranging an Eagle Scout project on public lands, please e-mail or call Doug Blankinship: Doug_Blankinship@blm.gov, (202) 452-5079. We'd be happy to play a part in seeing you achieve Scouting's highest honor! Return to the top of this page.
Merit Badges at Your Fingertips! The public lands boast vast natural resources of all types -- the perfect research base for work toward many Boy Scout Merit Badges. (In fact, BLM archaeologists helped to design the requirements for your Archaeology Merit Badge.) From Geology to Bird Study, Plant Science to Surveying, you can bet there are public lands that have what you're interested in, and that there's a qualified BLM specialist who'll be happy to supervise your Merit Badge activities. For more information, please e-mail or call Doug Blankinship: Doug_Blankinship@blm.gov, (2020 452-5079. Return to the top of this page.
Each year, more than 17,000 generous people volunteer their time and effort to help BLM improve and maintain public lands and the recreational and interpretive facilities they host. Volunteer-project goals are as varied as the interests of our wonderful volunteers, and the schedules are flexible, too. Some of our volunteers have made the public lands their full-time life's work, while others may donate a day of their time each year on National Public Lands Day (the last Saturday in September). Some work on their own, while others make it a family affair. However you do it, volunteering on the public lands always makes a difference. Why not get your family and friends together, and find out how you can help? Contact a BLM Volunteer Coordinator for information on year-round volunteer opportunities, or find out what's in store for this year's National Public Lands Day. Return to the top of this page.
What if You're an Eastern Scout? Though there are far fewer BLM lands in the East (about 30,000 acres scattered around the 31 eastern states), there are still plenty of opportunities for you to get involved with your public lands. Contact the BLM Eastern States Office Volunteer Coordinator (Joy_Pasquariello@blm.gov) or one of these other Federal land management agencies: Return to the top of this page.
Pursue a BLM Natural Resources Career -- Are You Up to the Challenge? BLM resource specialists enjoy exciting, fulfilling careers working for the protection and improvement of our public lands. (To get a glimpse of what some of our park rangers do, for example, check out the birds of prey research and educational activities highlighted in our current BLM Resource Explorer feature.) A career with BLM can allow you to apply your education and skills as a true public lands resource professional. Just a few of the many available career choices are:
Want to learn more about the responsibilities of BLM resource specialists, and the education you'll need to fill their shoes? Check out our BLM Career Cards for specifics; additional information is available at the BLM Careers Homepage. Return to the top of this page. Please direct questions about this page to Bibi Booth. Last updated: April 8, 2004
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