Hollow Oak Land Trust welcomes Scouts and Scout troops interested in giving back to their community through hands-on conservation and trail projects.
Our conservation areas provide opportunities to learn about trail building, land stewardship, habitat restoration, and outdoor recreation while completing meaningful service projects. Whether you are looking for an Eagle Scout service project, a troop volunteer day, or an individual service opportunity, we can work with you to find a project that fits.
Potential Eagle Scout Projects
Project opportunities will depend on our current needs and the conservation area, but examples may include:
Trail Projects
- Constructing or improving sections of natural-surface trail
- Building and installing trail signs or wayfinding posts
- Constructing trailhead information kiosks
- Constructing stone drainage inlays
- Building small bridges, puncheons, or boardwalk sections
- Improving trailhead access and gathering areas
- Creating or improving trail maps and wayfinding systems
Conservation Projects
- Removing invasive plants from a designated area
- Restoring native plantings
- Creating habitat improvement areas
- Removing old fencing or other unnecessary structures
- Restoring or improving areas affected by erosion
- Installing educational or conservation signage
Visitor Improvement Projects
- Building benches at designated locations
- Improving trailhead areas
- Constructing little free libraries
- Constructing small gathering or resting areas
- Installing informational signs
- Improving access to scenic or educational features
Not every project is appropriate for an Eagle Scout project. HOLT will work with the Scout to identify a project that is feasible, safe, useful to the property, and appropriate for the Scout to lead.
Troop Volunteer Days
Troops can also spend a day working with Hollow Oak Land Trust on a conservation or trail project.
These projects are a great way for Scouts to get outside, learn practical trail and stewardship skills, and work together as a group. Depending on the season and our current needs, troop projects may include:
- Trail maintenance
- Cutting back vegetation along trails
- Removing invasive plants
- Trailhead cleanup
- Brush and debris removal
- Native plantings
- Trail sign installation
- General conservation area maintenance
HOLT staff will provide direction for the work and help the group understand the tools, techniques, and goals of the project.
Individual Scout Service Opportunities
Scouts looking to complete service hours individually can also contact us about independent work tasks.
These projects may include:
- Invasive plant removal
- Trail corridor maintenance
- Litter and debris removal
- Trailhead cleanup
- Painting blazes or maintaining trail signs
- Light trail maintenance
- Other seasonal conservation tasks
Individual projects must be arranged with HOLT in advance. We will identify an appropriate task and provide instructions before work begins.
Interested in an Eagle Scout Project?
If you are a Life Scout looking for an Eagle Scout service project, we encourage you to contact us before developing your proposal. We can discuss current needs on our properties and help you determine whether a potential project would be a good fit.
Please contact zjones@hollowoak.org for any questions.
