It has been said that if you take care of the land, the land will take care of you. A group of Lewiston area Cub Scouts recently learned this lesson. The scouts partnered with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to clean up the Avery Lake State Forest Campground and make repairs to the High Country Pathway shelter. In gratitude for their hard work, the DNR presented each scout with a Conservation Stewardship Award.

“It was an honor to work with the Cub Scouts,” said Paige Perry, a recreation specialist with the DNR’s Forest Management Division. “They worked hard and were focused on getting the job done.”

The DNR has shared a long history of conservation stewardship with scouting organizations. Scouts have participated and completed a number of service projects or Eagle Scout projects on lands managed by the DNR. In honor of this commitment to conservation stewardship, and in recognition of the service provided, the DNR – in partnership with the Michigan Boy Scout and Girl Scout Councils – has initiated a Conservation Stewardship Award that scouts can earn.

“This is an excellent mutual relationship,” added Perry. “The DNR is always happy for help in maintaining state-owned land and at the same time teach young people about stewardship and conservation.”

For more information on the DNR partnership with scouting organizations visit www.michigan.gov/dnrscouting.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, accessible use and enjoyment of the State’s natural resources for current and future generations. For more information visit www.michigan.gov/dnr.