Environment
Throughout the past 100 years of Scouting, young people around the world have been exploring, learning about and caring for the outdoors and our environment. The way in which Scouts contribute to tackling environmental issues have evolved with the times, and remains a fundamental part of the Scout programme.
Recognising the importance of environment education to Scouting around the world, the World Organization of the Scout Movement are focussing their attentions on developing new initiatives in this field, supporting Scouts to be equipped with the necessary skills and understanding to tackle the environmental challenges they face.
The World Scout Environment Programme offers tools, resources and initiatives to help Scouts all around the world work together for the good of the local and global environment.
Read the latest news about Scouting and the environment and discover the great impact that Scouting activities have on the future of our planet
Today we see Scouts around the world engaging with their local communities in caring for the environment in a range of ways. From Australian Scouts identifying ways to reduce water consumption in their Scout halls or around the home; Mexican Scouts making the world's largest Scout fleur-de-leis from cans in an effort to educate the community on the values of recycling; Scouts from Canada partnering with Southern African Scouts in learning to reduce their impact on carbon emissions and understanding about climate change; Scouts in France protecting the forests from wildfire; and Scouts all over the world from Turkey to Kenya and the United States planting trees and undertaking clean up campaigns to improve their local environments and contribute their part to the bigger picture of the health of our shared environment.
Scouts are encouraged at all levels to identify suitable partners that can support the development and delivery of environment education in Scouting. WOSM has been working with several partner organisations and co-operating with NSOs to develop the World Scout Environment Programme.
There are many opportunities for Scouts to engage with these partner organisations, with competitions, campaigns, resources, events and grants available. Please explore the links below for more information.
Discover here pictures of scouts working worldwide to save the environment
Gifts for Peace & the Environment
Scouts worldwide, have responded to Gifts for Peace by developing great environmental projects that respond to issues such as sustainable development , reforestation, recycling and conservation.
Scout Centres that provide natural settings, offer environmental education programmes and demonstrate good environmental management practices may be suitable to become SCENES Centres (Scout Centres of Excellence for Nature and Environment).
