Eagle Scout projects benefit land trust properties

#Middlebury

Jason Von Culin points to the trail on MLT property he and other Scouts cleared for his Eagle Scout project. Blazes like the one on the tree on the left help keep hikers from wandering off the trail. (Janine Sullivan-Wiley photo)

By JANINE SULLIVAN-WILEY

The Middlebury Land Trust (MLT) and Boy Scouts who are seeking or completing Eagle Scout projects have proven to be of mutual benefit. This month, we’ll look at how the MLT is benefiting from some of these Eagle Scout projects.

First, a bit about what it means to achieve the rank of Eagle in Scouting. It’s a pretty impressive accomplishment for these young people. Starting when they are young, it is a journey through five earlier ranks (Tenderfoot, 2nd class, 1st class, Star and Life) and 21 merit badges. It also means the young man has to persist through the early years when Scouting may not be viewed as very cool. As one Eagle Scout candidate, Jason Von Culin of Troop 11, said, “What seems dorky in middle or even high school is a major achievement by the time you get to college.”

That final rank of Eagle Scout requires the candidate to plan a project, get all the permissions and approvals, gather materials and human resources, and complete the project. Ray Pietrorazio, a MLT board member who has been involved with Scouting for many years, said, “These projects provide the platform that helps a lot of young men achieve things in life they might not have done otherwise.”

Which brings us back to the MLT. Eagle Scout projects must give back to the community and help others. The MLT properties provide many such opportunities. In 2017, for his Eagle Scout project, Michael Traeger (described in an earlier article), built a beautiful wooden walkway on a wet and deteriorated section of the trail into Larkin Pond.

Troop 11 Boy Scouts, left to right, Ciaran Flanagan, Jayden Gatling (barely visible), Jason Von Culin, and Assistant Scoutmaster Joe Von Culin clear a trail for the MLT. Joe is cutting back an invasive species so the others can dig up the roots. (Amy Von Culin photo)

Von Culin chose a project on the newest MLT property, where the trail begins on Crest Road just to the west across from the library. He worked with Alice Hallaran (MLT board member) on the plan. With his intrepid band of workers, and in concert with the MLT warden, they cut up and removed trees that had fallen, cleared trails, and removed a lot of invasives (bittersweet, burning bush, Japanese barberry and multiflora rose) – no small feat!

One section of the trail had become so dense with invasives the trail ahead was invisible. The Scouts blazed a south loop trail with distinctive white/blue/white markings. Von Culin said, “I learned a lot more about trail building, blazing and leadership, how to go from part A to part B.”

That trail will become a really nice short walk as soon as yet another Scout completes his project. Hugh Flanagan, also in Troop 11, is planning his project for reconstruction of the now rather decrepit wooden bridge across a wet stretch of the trail.

Another MLT property project also is in the planning stages; Terrence Dumoulin’s project will be on the dam along the edge of Lake Elise, near the entrance by the cemetery. Vandals pushed into the lake the large stones that had provided both a safety barrier and defined the walkway. They will be pulled out of the lake and replaced on the dam. On the other side of the dam, erosion needs to be addressed.

This writer was really impressed by the challenges posed in these endeavors and the planning and organization these young people demonstrated in bringing them to fruition in partnership with the MLT.