Eagle Scout Merit Badges through Habitat Enhancement Partnership

The Huachuca Gould’s Chapter partnered with Fort Huachuca, AZ Antelope Foundation, AZGFD, Back Country Hunters and Anglers to develop a yearlong water source on Fort Huachuca along with modifying six tenths of a mile of military boundary fence to enhance habitat connectivity for wildlife to travel freely on and off the Fort.

To accomplish this much needed work, Boy Scout Troop 465 out of Sierra Vista contacted HGC for projects that a couple of their scouts could work on to earn their Eagle Scout rank.  After working with partner organizations, the first project undertaking was the development of a water source.  Fort Huachuca had a guzzler available and after Post approval, Boy Scout Daniel Adams completed the necessary Eagle Scout service project requirements and in November 2025 the first phase of the connectivity project was completed.

The project included installation of a 2,200-gallon storage tank with an inverted umbrella top to capture rainwater with a buried waterline leading to a drinker box.  After a safety briefing and description of work 40 scouts, helpers and parents assembled the tank and umbrella, excavated the waterline trench, partially buried the drinker and completed the plumbing.  Fort Huachuca had a water tender available to partially fill the system.

The second phase needed to complete connectivity was the modification of six tenths of a mile of military boundary fence adjacent to the water development.  In March 2026, Boy Scout Lucas Barton achieved his Eagle Scout rank.  Arizona Antelope Foundation purchased all necessary fence materials and with the help of 35 scouts and support staff, the bottom strand of barbed wire was removed and replaced with smooth wire 16” above ground level, along with installing new fence stays.