BLM’s Mona Daniels honored for decades of service in Scouting and conservation
In January, Scouting America’s Order of the Arrow Cahuilla Lodge 127 honored Mona Daniels, Outdoor Recreation Planner for the Bureau of Land Management’s Needles Field Office for her outstanding service and long-standing dedication to youth leadership and conservation. “One of the most fulfilling parts of my job is working with youth organizations and educating future generations on the importance of conserving public lands,” said Mona.
The Order of the Arrow—the honor society of Scouting America—recognizes individuals who exemplify the Scout Oath and Law and who foster leadership, service, and fellowship with the Scouting program.
Mona’s connection to scouting and public service spans more than two decades. She began her BLM career in 1999 at the Palm Springs South Coast Field Office, where she guided dozens of scouts toward achieving the rank of Eagle Scout. Her support included projects such as off-highway restoration, mine closures, fire recovery, campground development, and visitor center improvements.
In 2004, the California Inland Empire Council of Scouting inducted Mona into the Order of the Arrow. A year later, she represented BLM at the National Boy Scout Jamboree, serving on the Leave No Trace Team. In 2006, she was again selected to represent BLM at the National Order of the Arrow Conference in Michigan.
Mona transitioned to the Needles Field Office in 2008 as the wilderness coordinator, bringing her scouting experience with her. She organized Leave No Trace events along the Colorado River, supported Eagle Scout projects that enhanced wilderness values, and hosted an annual National Public Lands Day event for Order of the Arrow Scouts in southern California. This initiative even inspired a commemorative patch shared with scouts, leaders, and BLM staff—which still hang proudly in office cubicles.