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Scouting For Clean Waterways: A Call to Action for Earth Day
For over a century, Scouts in Southeast New Mexico have taken action to protect the outdoors, instilling a deep respect for conservation and leaving a lasting impact on the land, water, and communities they serve.
This April, as we celebrate Earth Day, we invite all units to participate in Scouting For Clean Waterways, a nationwide initiative to remove plastic and debris from our rivers, lakes, and streams.
A Legacy of Conservation in the Conquistador Council
Scouts in the Conquistador Council have a long history of environmental service projects, many of which mirror the goals of Scouting For Clean Waterways.
Trail Building in the Sacramento Mountains (1920s-1930s): Scouts played a key role in maintaining and expanding hiking trails throughout the Sacramento Mountains, ensuring that future generations of campers and hikers could safely explore the region. These early efforts helped establish a tradition of outdoor stewardship that continues today.
Wehinahpay Mountain Camp Conservation (1940s-Present): Since its founding, Wehinahpay Mountain Camp has relied on Scouts and volunteers to protect and preserve the natural beauty of its forests, streams, and wildlife habitats. From erosion control projects to tree planting, generations of Scouts have contributed to the camp’s environmental health.
River and Lake Cleanup Efforts (1960s-Present): Scouts have participated in cleanup projects along the Pecos River, Black River, and other local waterways, collecting litter, removing debris, and helping to restore natural habitats. These projects not only improve water quality but also teach Scouts the importance of protecting vital ecosystems.
Eagle Scout Conservation Projects: For decades, Eagle Scouts in the Conquistador Council have chosen conservation-based projects to give back to their communities. From installing erosion barriers and building bridges along trails to restoring parklands and removing invasive species, their impact can be seen throughout Southeast New Mexico.
Why Scouting For Clean Waterways Matters
Each year, millions of tons of plastic and trash enter our waterways, harming wildlife, polluting ecosystems, and threatening our drinking water sources. The problem is not just at the coasts—most aquatic debris originates far inland, carried by wind and rain into streams and rivers before flowing to the ocean. By removing litter from waterways in Southeast New Mexico, Scouts can play a critical role in protecting local ecosystems while contributing to a larger, global conservation effort.
Through a partnership with Clean Hub and Goal Clean Seas Florida Keys, every pound of plastic and debris collected by Scouts will be matched, pound for pound, by clean-up efforts in other parts of the world. That means every piece of litter removed by our Scouts has twice the impact!
How Can Scouts in the Conquistador Council Get Involved?
Plan a cleanup along a local waterway like the Pecos River, Black River, Delaware River, or Rio Felix.
Organize a service project in your community to prevent trash from reaching our streams and lakes.
Participate as a unit, district, or individually—Earth Day (April 22) is a great time to take action, but cleanups can be done any time!
Log your Scouting For Clean Waterways service hours in Scoutbook to be counted as part of this nationwide effort.
Share your impact! Post photos and stories from your clean-up efforts to show the power of Scouts in action.
Continuing a Century-Long Tradition
Just as early Scouts in our council worked to maintain trails, restore camps, and preserve nature, today’s Scouts are answering the call to protect our most precious resource: water. Whether it’s a large-scale river cleanup or a simple act like picking up trash on a hike, every effort makes a difference.
As we celebrate 100 years of Scouting in the Conquistador Council, let’s reaffirm our commitment to conservation and community service. By taking part in Scouting For Clean Waterways, today’s Scouts are continuing a legacy of environmental stewardship that has been part of our council’s identity since the very beginning.
Will your unit be part of Scouting For Clean Waterways?
Let us know about your cleanup project!
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