CHESTERFIELD: Boy on way to becoming Eagle Scout

By Christina Whittington, Special Writer
   CHESTERFIELD — Township resident Remington Little is on his way to achieving the highest honor in Boy Scouts — the official rank of Eagle Scout.
   Remington, 16, is a member of Boy Scout Troop 55 of Crosswicks.
   Remington’s Eagle Scout service project is the construction and installation of approximately 20 wood duck boxes. He plans to install the boxes at Fernbrook Farms Education Center in Chesterfield.
   ”Ever since I was very young, I have taken a great interest in the natural environment, and, certainly, wood ducks are an impressive conservation story as they had been on the edge of extinction,” Remington told the Register-News on Oct. 2.
   He said, “Through conservation techniques, wood ducks are again plentiful, but are not distributed as broadly as they once were. By installing wood duck boxes in Chesterfield Township, I hope to re-establish an abundance of these truly beautiful birds. Having the duck boxes located at Fernbrook Farms Education Center is a great bonus in that the conservation story can be taught to the many young people that participate in Fernbrook’s programs.”
   Fernbrook Farms Education Center was formed in 2001 as a nonprofit organization to educate children and adults about agriculture, food and the environment, according to the organization’s website.
   ”Wood ducks are very unusual in that they nest in hollow trees,” Remington said. “They cannot make the holes themselves so they rely on other species or natural decay to make the perfect home. They are very particular about the size of the hole and the depth within the tree so it is difficult for them to meet their needs, especially when there are few old trees available.”
   According to Remington, duck boxes provide an excellent alternative because they are a comfortable size and depth.
   ”The depth is important because the fledglings must be able to climb up the inside of the tree or box to be able to exit,” the Scout said. “When they leave, they simply hop out.”
   In addition to the wood duck boxes, Remington also plans on developing educational materials and providing supplies to enable Fernbrook students to learn about such things as wood duck biology and conservation strategies.
   ”Wood ducks serve as a great model of successful conservation strategy so I will be providing lesson plans and books about wood duck biology, ecology and conservation techniques,” Remington said.
   Remington also said he would like to supplement these classroom materials by providing a portable observation blind and taxidermy.
   Remington, who is a sophomore at Northern Burlington County Regional High School, crossed over from the Cub Scouts in June of 2007, which was the end of his fifth-grade year. By completing requirements quickly, Remington was able to start Boy Scouts one year ahead of his classmates.
   Remington must have his project completed before his 18th birthday.
   ”I have nearly two years yet (to complete it),” he said. “However, my personal goal is to finish the field work by early winter and complete the rest of the project requirements by springtime.”
   He added, “The Boy Scouts, leaders and families of Troop 55, Crosswicks, will help me with the physical aspect of the project. I have received support and offers of assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Fernbrook Farms Education Center, Chesterfield Township Environmental Commission, Ducks Unlimited, AmeriCorps and private donors.”
   According to Remington, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is providing the materials for the construction of the wood duck boxes. Additional donations are being used to purchase materials for poles and predator guards.
   ”While wood duck boxes can be mounted directly onto trees, the wood ducks have a better chance of survival if the boxes can be mounted away from overhanging branches that allow predators overhead access to the nests and also a physical barrier can prevent predators from climbing up to the nest,” Remington said.
   If additional funding is available, Remington said that in addition to the portable observation blind and taxidermy, he would use the money to enhance the success of the inhabitation while also developing an educational component of the project. Parts of this might include purchasing wood duck decoys and books about wood ducks and their conservation.
   ”If the entire project can be funded, I estimate that I will need $2,200 above the donation of materials from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” he said. “At this point, I still have quite a ways to go in order to be fully funded.”
    For those wishing to provide financial or other support for Remington’s Eagle Scout service project, he can be reached via email at [email protected].