WCU student completes Eagle Scout Project

With the help of many volunteers and fellow scouts, Lucas Vanscovich, a Life Scout with Westtown Boy Scout Troop #222, completed his Eagle Scout Project at West Chester University’s Gordon Natural Area on Saturday, Nov. 1.  The Eagle Project included cutting and removing nearly 4,000 square feet of the invasive specious of bamboo and planting trees to help abate the growth of new bamboo.

Eagle Scout is the highest advancement rank in Boy Scouting.  To earn the rank, a Boy Scout must progress through the six ranks and earn 21 merit badges, serve six months in a troop leadership position, plan, develop, and give leadership to a service project for an organization in the community, take part in a Scoutmaster conference, and successfully complete an Eagle Scout Board of Review before their 18th birthday.  Approximately seven percent of all Boy Scouts earn their Eagle Badge. The average age of boys earning the Eagle Scout rank is 17 years of age.

With the guidance and support of Dr. Gerard Hertel, WCU Professor and Director of Gordon Natural Area and his Boy Scout Project Advisor, Bob Yoder, Lucas developed, planned and supervised the bamboo removal and tree planting plan. This project represents more than 50 hours of personal time, and an additional 90 hours of volunteer time for development and implementation. Dr. Hertel and his environmental team were very pleased with the outcome of Lucas’ efforts.  “Lucas was determined from day one to select a meaningful project, determine its scope, and then to put an implement it. The removal of invasive bamboo and tree plantings will now allow this site to transition back to its natural condition” said Dr. Hertel.

In spite of the cold and steady rain that day, the 18 volunteers, led by Lucas, successfully removed a large section of bamboo that ran along a creek in the Gordon Natural Area’s newly acquired land. After the site was cleared, 15 trees were planted as part of the restorative efforts and to prevent future growth of bamboo. Dr. Hertel, reflecting on the adverse weather conditions and determination of Lucas and his volunteers, said, “his team charged in on a wet and cool Saturday and did a fantastic job.” 

Dr. Hertel describes Lucas as “a self-motivated and hardworking young man.” Although the last segment of the site restoration took place on Saturday, Nov. 1, it represented the last effort of a project that took not only many hours, but also many months. 

“It took more than 10 months from meeting Dr. Hertel, to identify my project, develop a solid work plan and get Chester County Council District representative approval to get to this work day to happen.  I greatly appreciate Dr. Hertel’s patience and support in helping me to implement my Eagle Badge Project.  He was really awesome to work with and I learned so much,” said Lucas. While the work plan for Eagle Badge is finished, Lucas will still be putting in many more hours to complete the rest of his requirements before he will be able to earn his Eagle Badge and the rank of Eagle Scout. 

Dr. Kristen B. Crossney is an Associate Professor in the Department of Geography and Planning. She is the Chair of the Communications Subcommitee for the Sustainability Advisory Council. Dr. Crossney can be reached at kcrossney@wcupa.edu, or found on twitter @crossney.