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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Forestry
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Forestry explores the science, sustainable management, and ecology of forest ecosystems. You will build a 15-species field notebook, examine wood specimens, growth rings, or pest damage, evaluate 8 ecological and economic forest benefits, study silvicultural systems and prescribed burning, tour a managed forest, sawmill, or manufacturing plant, conduct a hazard tree inventory, analyze 5 threats to forest health, and explore professional forestry careers.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Tree Identification & Forest Ecology
- Timber Stand Measurement & Clinometers
- Wildfire Prevention & Forest Health
- Sustainable Silviculture & Urban Forestry
8Printable Pages
8Requirements
2026Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Forestry Requirements
Every requirement for the Forestry merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1Field Notebook and 15-Species Identification
Prepare a field notebook, make a collection, and identify 15 species of trees, wild shrubs, or vines in a local forested area. Write a description in which you identify and discuss the following:
- a The characteristics of leaf, twig, cone, or fruiting bodies
- b The habitat in which these trees, shrubs, or vines are found
- c The important ways each tree, shrub, or vine is used by humans or wildlife and whether the species is native or was introduced to the area (If it is not native, explain whether it is considered invasive or potentially invasive.)
2Wood Samples, Growth Rings, or Pest Damage
Do ONE of the following:
- a Collect and identify wood samples of 10 species of trees. List several ways the wood of each species can be used.
- b Find and examine three stumps, logs, or core samples that show variations in the growth rate of their ring patterns. In the field notebook you prepared for requirement 1, describe the location or origin of each example (including elevation, aspect, slope, and the position on the slope), and discuss possible reasons for the variations in growth rate. Photograph or sketch each example.
- c Find and examine two types of animal, insect, or disease damage to trees. In the field notebook you prepared for requirement 1, identify the damage, explain how the damage was caused, and describe the effects of the damage on the trees. Photograph or sketch each example.
3Forest Contributions and Watersheds
Do the following:
- a Describe the contributions forests make to:
- b Tell which watershed or other source your community relies on for its water supply.
4Forest Management and Silviculture
Describe what forest management means, including the following:
- a Multiple-use management
- b Sustainable forest management
- c Even-aged and uneven-aged management and the silvicultural systems associated with each
- d Intermediate cuttings
- e The role of prescribed burning and related forest-management practices
5Forest Tour, Mill Visit, or Wildfire Campaign
With your parent or guardian's and counselor's approval, do ONE of the following:
- a Visit a managed public or private forest area with the manager or a forester who is familiar with it. Write a brief report describing the type of forest, the management objectives, and the forestry techniques used to achieve the objectives.
- b With a knowledgeable individual, visit a current or past logging operation or wood-using manufacturing plant. Write a brief report describing the following:
- c Take part in a forest-fire prevention campaign in cooperation with your local fire warden, state wildfire agency, forester, or counselor. Write a brief report describing the campaign, how it will help prevent wildfires, and your part in it.
6Hazard Tree Inventory
In your camp, local recreation area (park or equivalent), or neighborhood, do ONE of the following:
- a Inventory the trees within a specific area above (campsite, road, trail, street, etc.) that may be a hazard to structures or people. Note the species and hazardous condition, and suggest a remedy (removal or trimming). Make your list available to the proper authority or agency.
- b Review a hazardous tree report done by a professional for this area and visit those trees and the results of the prescription to prune or remove them.
7Forest Health Threats and Wildfire Control
Do the following:
- a Describe the consequences to forests that result from FIVE of the following elements: wildfire, absence of fire, destructive insects, loss of pollinating insect population, tree diseases, air pollution, overgrazing, deer or other wildlife overpopulation, improper harvest, and urbanization.
- b Explain what can be done to reduce the consequences you discussed in 7(a).
- c Describe what you should do if you discover a forest fire and how a professional firefighting crew might control it. Name your state or local wildfire control agency.
8Forester Interview and Careers
Visit one or more local foresters and write a brief report about the person (or persons) OR write about a forester's occupation including the education, qualifications, career opportunities, and duties related to forestry.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Forestry requirements in 2026. That is the badge, not this sheet — an older year does not mean the worksheet is out of date.
Verbatim Fidelity & Verification
This worksheet was checked against https://www.scouting.org/merit-badges/forestry/ in Aug 2026 and reproduces the requirements word for word. Both dates are printed on the sheet, so a copy in a binder can always be placed in time.
Requirement text is © Scouting America, reproduced verbatim. The worksheet layout and design are original to this project.
Spotted a discrepancy on this sheet? Tell us and we will re-check it against the official requirements.
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