by Mike Matzinger
Scouting America has successfully completed its first nationwide Scouting for Clean Waterways initiative, engaging thousands of Scouts, volunteers, and community partners in restoring rivers, lakes, and streams. Partnering with the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, NOAA Marine Debris Program, and CleanHub, the campaign focused on cleanup efforts and educating communities on water conservation and pollution prevention. Scouts contributed nearly 100,000 volunteer hours, removing over 43,000 pounds of plastic and 93,500 pounds of other trash. CleanHub matched the plastic collected with an equal removal effort in global pollution hotspots. The initiative highlights youth-led environmental leadership and Scouting America’s commitment to sustainability and community service.