Requirements

This award is a conservation related award with three levels and three forms:   Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals and certificates that are awarded to Units, Youth or Adult;

Note:  The square knot is reserved for those earning the medals or the Gold Medallion.

Background

This conservation awards program was initiated in 1914 by Dr. William T. Hornaday, then director of the New York Zoological Park, in an effort to inspire members of the Boy Scouts of America to work constructively for conservation. For twenty years the program was funded through Hornaday's Permanent Wildlife Protection Fund. Upon his death, the program was sponsored for thirty-five years by the New York Zoological Society and named in Hornaday's honor. The award is the oldest conservation award given in the United States.

How to earn the Hornaday Award:

There are six different Hornaday awards (the gold awards are for adults through nomination) with an ever-increasing scale of challenge. The youth individual awards are based on earning certain merit badges and completing one or more significant conservation projects.

Unit Certificate - Awarded to a den, pack, patrol, team, post, or group of five or more Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, or Explorers for a unique, substantial, conservational project.

Badge - The unit certificate and badge are awarded by the local council's conservation committee. Application is made through the local council. Councils may obtain unit certificates and badges by sending approved award applications to the Boy Scout Conservation Service at the national office.

Bronze Medal - The bronze medal is awarded by the National Council upon recommendation of the local council. A qualified Boy Scout or Varsity Scout must apply through and be recommended by his or her local council. Final selection is made by a national William T. Hornaday Award selection committee, and presentation is made by the local council.

Silver Medal - The silver medal is handled in the same way as the bronze medal in regard to recommendation and application. The award is the highest possible attainment in conservation for a Boy Scout or Varsity Scout.

Gold Medal - The gold medal may be considered when a qualified Scouter is recommended by his or her council, by an established conservation organization, or by any recognized conservationist. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a national or international level, reflecting the natural resource conservation/environmental awareness mission of the Boy Scouts of America. Nominations must be approved by the BSA's national conservation committee. The gold medal is the highest possible attainment in conservation for a Scouter.

Gold Certificate - The gold certificate is an award granted to an individual or organization not necessarily affiliated with Scouting. The nominee must have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a national or international level, reflecting the natural resource conservation/environmental awareness mission of the Boy Scouts of America.

Application Form

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