Resource Library·Merit Badge

Nature

Elective merit badge — requirements, troop progress, and nothing shelved yet (be the first to suggest something).Official BSA page ↗Workbook (PDF) ↗

8
Earned
0
In Progress
20
Not Started
28
Active Scouts
Scout Progress
ScoutAWARDReq 1Req 2Req 3Req 4Complete any 5Req 5Req 6Req 7Complete any one
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Anjali S.First Class
Henry E.Second Class
Kevin P.Life
Oscar B.Tenderfoot
Quinn B.Second Class
Robbie H.Second Class
Violet B.Tenderfoot
Winnie B.Tenderfoot
Requirements

From the official BSA merit badge pamphlet — wording is paraphrased here. Confirm against the current pamphlet for sign-off.

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Sign in to see your scout’s progress on each requirement and to send in proof when one is done.

1
Name three ways plants matter to animals; name a protected plant and why it's at risk
2
Name three ways animals matter to plants; name a protected animal and why it's at risk
3
Explain "food chain"; give a four-step land and a four-step water food chain example
4
(Do any 5 of the following)
4a
Birds: identify eight species; make a birdhouse/feeder/birdbath and list users over a month
4b
Mammals: identify three wild species; make plaster casts of a wild mammal's tracks
4c
Reptiles/Amphibians: know local venomous snakes; identify three species; recognize one by voice or sign
4d
Insects/Spiders: identify 10 species (field or photos); hatch or raise an insect, or keep an ant/bee colony a season
4e
Fish: identify two native species; collect four kinds of animal food eaten by fish
4f
Mollusks/Crustaceans: identify five species; collect, mount, and label six shells
4g
Plants: identify 15 wild species; collect/label or photograph seeds of 6 plants or leaves of 12
4h
Soils/Rocks: collect and identify three soil types (sand, clay, humus) and five local rocks
5
Discuss Leave No Trace and Outdoor Code; explain how you followed them in the field
6a
Explain what succession is
6b
Visit a natural area; explain its succession stage, past disturbances, and future changes
7
(Do any one of the following)
7a
Identify three nature careers; research one (training, costs, prospects); discuss
7b
Explore nature skills as a hobby (training, expenses, organizations); discuss goals