Native Plants Transform Outdoor 'Laboratory' in the Land of 10,000 Lakes

Rhea-AI Summary

Boy Scouts of America volunteers plant seedlings to transform 14.9 acres of scrub brush and thistle into wildlife habitat near Park Rapids, MN. The project aims to create a lush forest that will serve as habitat and food sources for various mammals. Enbridge's Fueling Futures program supports the project with a $10,000 grant over three years.

In northern Minnesota, Boy Scouts plant seedlings to improve 14.9 acres of wildlife habitat

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 6, 2023 / Enbridge / With the scrub bushland cleared and the soil prepared, the weekend of planting could begin.

Around 130 Boy Scouts of America volunteers, from ages 12 to 75, carefully placed hundreds of seedlings and shrubs native to Minnesota into the earth.

The project's goal is to transform 84.3 acres of unusable scrub brush and thistle into viable wildlife habitat through the planting of native shrubs and trees; the project began in 2023 with the transformation of a 14.9-acre tract.

With good stewardship and tending, the plantings will grow into a lush forest that will serve as habitat and food sources for mammals of all sizes, from chipmunks to porcupines to bears.

The conservation work will take place over four years at the Camp Wilderness Boy Scout Camp, located near Park Rapids, MN. The project was initiated by a partnership between the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Northern Lights Council, the Boy Scouts division that administers the not-for-profit BSA programs in North Dakota, 18 counties in northwest Minnesota, and two counties each in Montana and South Dakota.

"We've been teaching and promoting environmental education and conservation stewardship long before it was popular to teach these subjects," he continues. "Scouting has always taught and practiced conservation and outdoor ethics because we operate in the wilderness. We want to keep it wild for the generation of Scouts to come."

Enbridge's Fueling Futures program supports community projects across North America that promote conservation and sustainability.

We were impressed with this project's vision to make a significant impact on the land and wildlife, as well as its investment in the education of young Scouts. Our recent $10,000 Fueling Futures grant over three years will help with the cost of the plantings and professional support and equipment to transform the land into a space in which native plants can thrive.

Involving youth in conservation efforts not only helps the Scouts of today become stewards of the environment, but supports the Northern Lights Council's commitment to the next generation.

McCartney says the youth who volunteer their time outdoors develop a relationship with the land, a relationship they will carry forward to their children and beyond.

As with generations of Boy Scouts before, the young people who participate in this land stewardship initiative will one day be able to bring their grandkids to the site. McCartney envisions the pride they'll feel showing off their contributions.

"They'll say, ‘Hey, look, I planted this forest,'" he remarks. "Scouting has always taught conservation because we operate in the wilderness. It's important for us to maintain that. We're making it a priority."

Boy Scouts of America volunteers, from ages 12 to 75, carefully place hundreds of seedlings and shrubs native to Minnesota into the earth near Park Rapids, MN, as part of an effort to transform 84.3 acres of unusable scrub brush and thistle into viable wildlife habitat through the planting of native shrubs and trees.

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FAQ

What is the goal of the project?

The goal is to transform 14.9 acres of scrub brush and thistle into viable wildlife habitat.

Who is involved in the project?

Boy Scouts of America volunteers, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the Northern Lights Council.

Where is the project taking place?

The project is taking place at the Camp Wilderness Boy Scout Camp near Park Rapids, MN.

What is Enbridge's involvement?

Enbridge's Fueling Futures program supports the project with a $10,000 grant over three years.

What is the duration of the project?

The conservation work will take place over four years.

What is the purpose of Enbridge's Fueling Futures program?

The program supports community projects across North America that promote conservation and sustainability.

What age range are the Boy Scouts volunteers?

The Boy Scouts volunteers range in age from 12 to 75.

What will the transformed land serve as?

The transformed land will serve as habitat and food sources for mammals.

What is the significance of involving youth in conservation efforts?

Involving youth helps them become stewards of the environment and supports the commitment to the next generation.

What is the expected outcome of the project?

The project aims to create a lush forest that will serve as habitat and food sources for mammals.

What is the total area being transformed?

The total area being transformed is 14.9 acres.