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Edition 2026Active Merit Badge
Soil and Water Conservation
Official Requirements & Fillable Workbook · 2026 Edition
Soil and Water Conservation covers the two natural resources that sustain all terrestrial life. You will study soil profiles, erosion prevention, contour plowing, and watershed protection. Requirement 7 involves field observation — visiting an active conservation project, erosion site, or tree nursery to inspect management practices.
Key Requirements Covered:
- Soil Horizons, Erosion & Soil Health
- Watershed Hydrology & Aquifer Protection
- Wetlands Conservation & Flood Control
- Soil Conservation Projects & Agriscience
7Printable Pages
7Requirements
2019Reqs Revised
What is on the worksheet: Soil and Water Conservation Requirements
Every requirement for the Soil and Water Conservation merit badge, word for word as published, with room to write under each one on the printed worksheet.
1What Soil Is and How It Forms
Do the following:
- a Tell what soil is. Tell how it is formed.
- b Describe three kinds of soil. Tell how they are different.
- c Name the three main plant nutrients in fertile soil. Tell how they can be put back when used up.
2Soil Erosion
Do the following:
- a Define soil erosion.
- b Tell why soil erosion is important and how it affects you.
- c Name three kinds of soil erosion. Describe each.
- d Take pictures of or draw two kinds of soil erosion.
3Erosion-Control Practices
Do the following:
- a Tell what is meant by conservation practices.
- b Describe the effect of three kinds of erosion-control practices.
- c Take pictures of or draw three kinds of erosion-control practices.
4Watersheds, River Basins, and Aquifers
Do the following:
- a Explain what a watershed is.
- b Outline the smallest watershed that you can find on a contour map.
- c Outline, as far as the map will allow, the next larger watershed that also has the smallest one in it.
- d Explain what a river basin is. Tell why all people living in a river basin should be concerned about land and water use in the basin.
- e Explain what an aquifer is and why it can be important to communities.
5The Hydrologic Cycle and Water Use
Do the following:
- a Make a drawing to show the hydrologic cycle.
- b Demonstrate at least two of the following actions of water in relation to soil: percolation, capillary action, precipitation, evaporation, and transpiration.
- c Explain how removal of vegetation will affect the way water runs off a watershed.
- d Tell how uses of forest, range, and farmland affect usable water supply.
- e Explain how industrial use affects water supply.
6Water Pollution and Treatment
Do the following:
- a Tell what is meant by water pollution.
- b Describe common sources of water pollution and explain the effects of each.
- c Explain the terms: primary water treatment, secondary waste treatment, and biochemical oxygen demand.
- d Make a drawing showing the principles of complete waste treatment.
7Conservation in the Field
Do TWO of the following:
- a Make a trip to TWO of the following places. Write a report of more than 500 words about the soil and water and energy conservation practices you saw.
- b Plant 100 trees, bushes, and/or vines for a good purpose.
- c Seed an area of at least one-fifth acre for some worthwhile conservation purposes, using suitable grasses or legumes alone or in a mixture.
- d Study a soil survey report. Describe the things in it. Using tracing paper and a pen, trace over any of the soil maps, and outline an area with three or more different kinds of soil. List each kind of soil by full name and map symbol.
- e Make a list of places in your neighborhood, camps, school ground, or park that have erosion, sedimentation, or pollution problems. Describe how these could be corrected through individual or group action.
- f Carry out any other soil and water conservation project approved by your counselor.
Two dates, two different things
Requirements Revision vs. Worksheet Date
Scouting America last revised the Soil and Water Conservation requirements in 2019. 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/soil-and-water-conservation/ 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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