Scouts from Troop 345, lead by Life Scout Anthony Rabaey, worked on a conservation and reforestation project for Urban Forestry Division of Round Rock Park and Recreation Department. The project, a requirement for Anthony's Eagle Award, was completed on Dec. 1 at Old Settlers Park.

Anthony, an eighth grader at St. Mary's Catholic School, lives in Round Rock. Anthony has been active in Scouting since first grade, and has been a member of Troop 345 for three years. Troop 345 is sponsored by the Knights of Columbus at St. William Church in Round Rock.

Anthony received advice and assistance on the project from Jim Carse, Forestry supervisor of the City of Round Rock, Parks and Recreation Department. The project involved removing invasive plant species, followed by the planting of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), a tree native to the area. The project was carried out near the banks of Chandler Creek.

More than 25 Scouts, Scout leaders and parents assisted with the Eagle project.

Anthony began planning the project in early 2007, and met with Carse and other advisors to write a project proposal that described the project plan.

Anthony plans to extend the Eagle project into a yearlong conservation project, as part of a national Scouting conservation award program. This conservation program, called the William T. Hornaday Award, requires the Scout to take a long-term view of conservation and increase public awareness about natural resource conservation.

[Webmaster's Note: Jim Carse is also a member of K of C Council 9368.]