Westfield Scout working to protect wildlife, waterways

Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Naturalist Zach McNulty (left) and Scout Spencer Burroughs of Westfield Troop 107 are shown here next to one of four fishing line recycling containers at Koteewi Lake. The recycling containers are the culmination of Burroughs’ Eagle Scout project. (Photo provided by Hamilton County Parks & Recreation)

For his Eagle Scout project, Scout Spencer Burroughs from Westfield Troop 107 sought to undertake a project that was both unique and would have a lasting community impact.

Burroughs reached out to Hamilton County Parks and Recreation Department’s naturalist Zack McNulty to assist him in his efforts to lessen the amount of harmful trash and litter that finds its way into local waterways.

Over the course of four months, Burroughs invested approximately 50 hours of research, planning, and labor that resulted in his fabrication of four fishing line recycling containers at the newly opened Koteewi Lake, located in Strawtown Koteewi Park. He learned that loose fishing line injures and often kills native wildlife, so he constructed a sustainable means by which anglers can keep fisheries clear of such threats. As useful as those stations are, he said he feels the most critical part of his Eagle Scout Project is “educating the public.”

The recycling stations also feature nature education signage that includes “Leave No Trace” fishing techniques and a QR code that directs individuals to the specific Hamilton County Parks website to learn more about related concerns. Burroughs was instrumental in compiling the information exhibited on the signage and on the website.

In addition to building and installing the recycling containers at the four recycling stations, Burroughs attended a Fishing Instructor Workshop hosted by McNulty and then assisted the park naturalist by co-teaching a Family Learn-to-Fish Workshop. Hamilton County Parks held 10 such instructional fishing programs in 2020, attracting more than 200 interested attendees.

For more information about scout programs and other service projects available through Hamilton County Parks, or for details regarding upcoming fishing programs offered by the parks department, email HCPR naturalist Zach McNulty at Zach.McNulty@Hamiltoncounty.in.gov, or check out the latest issue of the park department’s Chatterbox Leisure Guide, available at county parks or online at MyHamiltonCountyParks.com.