Eagle Scout completes second major conservation project at Ranch Park

Cadel Beasley, Dripping Springs High School freshman and Troop 280 Eagle Scout, recently completed building a largescale composting station at Dripping Springs Ranch Park. It was the second project that he has worked on at the park. His first project, which served as his Eagle Scout Rank project, was the construction of a Chimney Swift Tower to provide much-needed roosting space for migrating chimney swifts — a bird species facing population decline due to habitat loss.

This summer, Beasley followed up with a second initiative: building a three-bay, 24-foot long composting station that will allow Ranch Park to use 840 cubic feet of composting space to recycle horse manure into nutrientrich compost, providing sustainable fertilizer for the park’s grounds.

With both projects complete, Beasley has not only advanced conservation efforts in our community but has also qualified for two prestigious honors: the Harrison McClure Award from the Capitol Area Council and the Distinguished Conservation Service Award — Scouting America’s highest recognition for conservation achievement. Each year, fewer than 50 Scouts earn the Distinguished Conservation Service Award nationwide — making it one of Scouting’s most rare and distinguished recognitions for conservation excellence.