On Thursday evening, July 29, 2010 Boy Scouts of America will host a national reunion of William T. Hornaday Award Recipients from 6:30-7:30 P.M. at the entrance to the National Jamboree Conservation and Environment Area. All recipients of Hornaday medals or badges are invited to attend this special event being held during the 100 year anniversary of Boy Scouts of America.

First established in 1914 by Dr. William Temple Hornaday, former director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and New York Zoological Society, the William T. Hornaday Medal (originally called the Wildlife Conservation Medal) is the oldest continuously run and one of the most prestigious conservation awards in the United States of America. Just over 1,000 medals have been awarded since the 1914, including to Aldo Leopold, regarded by many as the founding father of wildlife management. Dr. Hornaday is credited for saving the American bison from extinction, as well as critical work Migratory Bird Treaty Law and the 1911 Fur Seal Treaty. With his motto “Open wide to youth all gateways to nature,” Dr. Hornaday believed strongly in the power of youth and that a single individual could make a difference.

While having a strong common bond of shared passion for the environment, recipients of the prestigious Hornaday awards for “Distinguished Service to Conservation” are both scarce and scattered across our great nation. This reunion will provide a rare opportunity to meet other Hornaday recipients to share stories of conservation experiences and professions while networking at a fun get together. Our main speaker will be Bob Birkby, author of the current Boy Scout Handbook. Following the reunion there will be a book signing session with Mr. Birkby.Please joins us on Thursday evening July 29, 2010 at the head of the Jamboree Conservation Area for this special reception. Please arrive before 5:00PM at the Jamboree site (visitor hours end at 5:00PM).

For more information call Clark Guy (610) 763-1509 or Lew Gorman III (856-397-1649) and visit the Jamboree website at www.bsajamboree.org

Source: 2010 National Jamboree Conservation & Environment Area Press Release