Boy Scouts of America conduct service project at Meadowood SRMA

BLM Eastern States Northeastern States District Lower Potomac Field Station (LPFS) staff recently collaborated with the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) Troop 995 on a service learning project at the BLM-managed Meadowood Special Recreation Management Area (SRMA) located in Lorton, Virginia.  

The project was proposed by 15-year-old Eagle Scout candidate Alex Graves and consisted of reconstructing two small bridges located on the Turkey Meadowood Loop Trail. As neighbors of LPFS, Graves and his father noticed the damaged bridges while taking a walk on the trail. Their desire to help the local community inspired the project. Graves coordinated with fellow Scouts and their parents to dismantle the structures decayed by water and construct new bridges for the trail.

LPFS Manager Zach Reichold was pleased to observe the Scouts conducting the project.

"The event provided a great opportunity to engage kids in the BLM's multiple-use mission,” Reichold said. “I hope the event sparked their interest in pursuing future careers in natural resource management."

Graves’ dedication and hard work will not only allow bikers, hikers, and horseback riders to safely use the bridges, but also to enjoy them for many years to come.

BSA is one of the nation’s leading youth programs that offers character development and values-based leadership training, with the goal of helping youth get “Prepared for Life.”

Meadowood SRMA is located outside of our nation’s capital and offers 13.4 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of horseback riding trails and 6.6 miles of mountain biking trails. It is the site of two fishing ponds, 800 acres of forest and meadows, environmental education programs, equestrian facilities, geocaching, and bird watching.