Some things just go better in pairs, like bookends, cowboy boots, and fishing buddies. Our latest Take Care of Texas scout pin awardees clearly agreed. Two different sets of siblings from two different parts of the state earned their pins together, making a total of four scouts who proved their dedication to preserving and protecting our environment.
With the help of their respective scout troops, siblings Johnathan and Ava Bayless from League City designed, constructed, and installed three bat houses in a nearby park. These
houses can each shelter up to 300 Mexican free-tailed bats. This bat house project was also how Johnathan earned his Eagle Scout rank!
A local home improvement store donated nearly all of the materials used in the project. After measuring, cutting, and ripping cedar wood, scouts from Troops 603 and 715 helped Johnathan and Ava assemble the bat houses.
Once the houses were pieced together, Johnathan coordinated with League City park officials to install the houses in three different locations throughout Lynn Gripon Park. With the aid of scout leaders, city employees, and their fellow scouts, the Bayless kids dug the holes, planted the posts, and secured them with concrete.
It may take a year or two for the bats to find their new luxury condos (overlooking prime real estate, no less!). Once they do, they’ll undoubtedly stay for many years.
We certainly hope the bats stick around, too! These bats mostly eat insects, but they are also efficient pollinators. Protecting wildlife and encouraging pollination are two important ways to Take Care of Texas!
Watch this video to learn more about the Bayless’ bat house project.
Meanwhile, 230 coastal miles away, the Ustymenko sisters were spearheading their own project. Eagle Scout Maria and her sister Sopiha had their eyes on a Texas beach.
These scout sisters enlisted the aid of Ocean Vida and Adopt-A-Beach to boost their efforts to start a beach clean-up project. Sophia and Maria acquired trash bags, gloves, and water bottles and got to work cleaning up Mustang Island State Park.
The entire project lasted three long and tiresome days. In the end, they made a difference that really showed. Not only did they Take Care of Texas, but they set a great example for other scouts to follow.
All four teenagers proved that when you gather partners (especially siblings), you can accomplish so much more than one single person could. This is a great road map to follow for anyone who’s interested in taking on their own conservation project.
Both Boy and Girl Scouts of America can earn the Take Care of Texas patch and pin. The requirements vary by age and affiliation,
but include earning a series of awards and completing a one- to two-hour environmental conservation project. Previous award projects include organizing a park clean up, constructing bird houses, and removing invasive species from a creek.
After earning the patch, a scout may earn our pin award by completing an eight–hour service project aligned with the Take Care of Texas message. Scouts must then submit either a photo presentation or video describing the project.
Check our scout page to learn more about our awards and to see if your council participates in our program.
And for even more inspiration, read about another Take Care of Texas pin awardee, Declan Howell.
