Boy Scout Troop 27 earns Environmental Science Badges

On Saturday October 31st, the local Boy Scout Troop earned their Environmental Science Badges with the help of Franklin County Soil and Water! The Troop, with members from Fort Covington, Bombay, Akwesasne, Constable, and Westville worked for 3 hours cleaning up a portion of the river bank along the Salmon River in Fort Covington. They pulled out many pounds of metal, glass, plastic and more. “I think we may be able to even assemble a complete car or two” said Cody Pickering. The Town of Fort Covington also participated in the river clean up making the event even more successful! A complete dump truck of metal, plastic and glass was pulled out from the banks along a 1,000 foot section of the river.

“The troop learns about environmental conservation and preservation while doing something to actually benefit the environment” said Chastity Miller, District Conservation Manager of Franklin County Soil and Water and Merit Badge Counselor. “What a fantastic way to earn a badge, participate in community service, and help the environment at the same time!” says Chastity.

After the river bank was cleaned-up the Troop helped Chastity to plant willow tree stakes along 200 foot section of the river bank. The willow trees were planted to allow for a natural vegetative stabilization that will secure the existing eroding river bank and hopefully prevent any additional erosion along that section of the bank. “I couldn’t believe how much trash there was and car parts, I now know how important it is to throw my trash away in the trash can and to recycle as much as I can so I can help stop trash ending up along the river” said Dylan Stagnitta of Fort Covington. The Boy Scouts that participated were Isaac Lamica, Peter Taylor, Cody Pickering, Dustin Taylor, Austin Lamica, Cole Phillips, Dylan Stagnitta, Kyle Lamica and Michael Gibbons.

For more information on these programs and the many other services your County Soil and Water Conservation District offers, call Chastity Miller at (518) 483-4061 or visit

HYPERLINK http://www.fcswcd.org