Eagle Scout Project Ideas
For more information, contact Sarah Summerville, Director, Unexpected Wildlife Refuge, phone 856.697.3541.
Refuge Entrance Beautification
- Create and install Nature Center sign
- Create a simple flagstone walkway
- Clear brush and specified vegetation from along driveway from trash pick-up area to cabin
- Enhance trash pick-up and mailbox locations with enclosure and plantings
Sitting Area at Pond
- Using an existing plan, create a sitting area alongside the Pond
- Area will consist of a block wall, back-fill, seating and plantings
Boardwalk Construction and Documentation
- Pour and install new concrete boardwalk sections over wet areas of hiking trails
- Replace rotted supports on existing boardwalk sections
- Document location and condition of all boardwalk areas; create maintenance plan
Habitat Restoration & Improvement — Mockingbird Field
- Clear dead trees, debris, and brush from field
- Plant new fruit trees; prune existing trees
- Construct two new benches and install in field
- Construct wood sign about the adjacent Poplar Patch per pre-established sign specifications; install on wood post
Wood Duck Boxes
- Remove existing broken and fallen wood duck boxes
- Rehabilitate usable boxes and construct six new wood duck boxes, and mount in place on new 3” PVC posts
- Install throughout Refuge waters
- Create and install informational sign (per pre-established sign specifications) about wood ducks and their habitat
Observation Area Construction
- Construct four wood benches
- Clear two observation areas selected by the Refuge near existing trails; install two benches in each area
- Create and install an informational sign (per pre-established sign specifications) about a special feature in each location
Reconstruction of Wooden Platform at Otter Dam
- Remove existing platform decking
- Investigate support system and reinforce if necessary
- Install new wooden decking on existing supports
- Create and install an informational sign (per pre-established sign specifications) about prothonotary warblers (one of two warblers that nest in holes over the water)
Refuge Flora and Fauna Inventory
- Using the existing Refuge list of plants, birds, reptiles, and mammals, create an inventory of all plants and animals in the Refuge, showing the Latin genus and species next to the common name
- Create detailed information sheets explaining all about (one page each) six species selected by the Refuge
Wildflower Garden
- Remove all vegetation from an abandoned, fenced garden
- Turn soil with rototiller
- Add organic fertilizer and turn again
- Plant indigenous wildflower seeds and fruiting plants (blackberry, blueberry, elderberry, etc)
- Create information sign (per pre-established sign specifications) about wildflower habitat
Beaver Research Paper
- Unexpected Wildlife Refuge is best known as a home for beavers. Prepare a research paper on the biology, behavior, and habitat of Beavers. This paper will be printed and distributed by the Refuge as part of its educational program.
- Construct and install an informational sign all about beavers
Scan/Inventory/Archive Refuge Slides
- Scan the 1000 or so slides in the Refuge files
- Organize them by general topics
- Store on disk with separate index
Scan/Inventory/Archive Refuge Photographs
- Scan the 1000 or so photos in the Refuge files
- Organize them by general topics
- Store on disk with separate index
Cabin Butterfly – Dragonfly Garden / Compost System
- Add organic matter to garden
- Install butterfly attracting plants and grasses
- Create and install a composting system for waste food and vegetation
- Install informational sign about butterfly-dragonfly habitat