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 20 years the program was funded through Hornaday's Permanent Wildlife Protection Fund. Upon his death, the program was sponsored for 35 years by the New York Zoological Society and named in Hornaday's honor. The award is the oldest conservation award given in America.

The BSA's national conservation committee has reviewed the approval procedures for the Hornaday Award and has established guidelines.

Awards

The William T. Hornaday Award may be given in one of seven forms:

Unit certificate. Awarded to a pack, troop, team, or crew for a unique, substantial conservation project. At least 60 percent of registered unit members must participate.

Badge. Awarded to an individual Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer for outstanding service to conservation and environmental improvement.

Bronze medal. Awarded to an individual Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer for distinguished service in natural resource conservation or environmental improvement. A national committee judges the applications.

Silver medal. Awarded to an individual Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, or Venturer for exceptional service in natural resource conservation or environmental improvement. Applications are reviewed by a national committee.

Gold badge. Awarded by the local council to an adult Scouter or Venturing leader who has demonstrated leadership and a commitment to the education of youth on a council or district level for significant conservation efforts for a period of at least three years.

Gold medal. Awarded to an adult Scouter or Venturing leader for outstanding service in natural resource conservation and youth education at the regional, national, or international level. Nominations are reviewed by a national committee.

Gold certificate. Awarded to a corporation or organization for outstanding service to youth conservation and education. Nominations are reviewed by a national committee.

Nominations for the medals and gold certificate are considered by the national award committee several times a year.

The badge, bronze medal, and silver medal are youth awards. The age limit for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts is 17, and for Venturers, 20 years of age.

How to Submit Applications

Completed applications for the unit certificate and badge must be submitted to the council, which will decide whether they are worthy of consideration for the Hornaday Award. Qualified applicants will be interviewed by a council committee. The committee determines whether the applicant is qualified for the Hornaday badge (or certificate, for units). Each council has authority to award the certificate and the bronze and gold badges.

Each Hornaday silver medal applicant is expected to plan and give leadership to four substantial conservation projects in four different fields of conservation. Bronze medal applicants must plan and give leadership to three substantial conservation projects in three different fields of conservation. If the council committee determines that the application merits consideration for one of the Hornaday medals, the application and all supporting materials (which must be approved by the Scout executive) are forwarded to the BSA's national office. Applications are judged by the national award committee.

An applicant should be advised that his or her application form, with supporting evidence of work accomplished, is the only information the national award committee has for selecting winners. Applicants are expected to show evidence of planning, to give leadership to others performing projects that demonstrate creativity and initiative, and to educate others through conservation endeavors. Thus, applications should be filled out neatly, and the list of activities should be as complete and descriptive as possible. Adequate supporting materials must accompany the application. Materials such as letters, snapshots, videotapes, project descriptions, drawings, planning papers, news clippings, talks given, etc., should be well-organized, neatly mounted in a notebook or scrapbook, and labeled.

Additional applications (No. 21-107) may be obtained from the Web site of the Boy Scouts of America, www.scouting.org, or through the local Scout service center.