Wesley Devaney’s remarkable achievements in conservation have earned him the Scouting America Distinguished Conservation Service Award, the highest conservation award in Scouting. This prestigious award recognizes exceptional and distinguished service in natural resource conservation and environmental improvement. Wesley’s journey to this honor began in 2022, when he embarked on a project that would make a significant impact on his community.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Wesley shared, “The original inspiration was 2022, the Red Arrow Rally. Me and some other guys went out there cause we’ve never been out there and wanted to have some fun. I saw this presentation about the award, and I thought that kind of looked pretty cool.” His passion for the environment was evident as he added, “My mom didn’t raise quitters, so I’m going to do what I’m going to do. I care a lot about the environment.”
Wesley’s dedication to conservation grew as he learned more about the challenges faced by state parks. “There’s a lot of problems on the outside looking in like oh yeah, it’s still there. But when I learned more about it, there’s a lot of work that goes into state parks,” he explained. This realization fueled his commitment to making a difference.
One of Wesley’s notable projects involved building an educational kiosk at the Manchester Fish Hatchery. “The physical shelter itself was built through a company in Edgewood. But I also talked the manager of the Manchester Fish Hatchery, and me and him organized what we wanted. We had a paper with all the qualifications that we needed,” he said. The shelter provided much-needed protection for visitors, especially during unexpected downpours. “I was told the other day that the kiosk is actually very popular now,” Wesley proudly mentioned.
Wesley also tackled environmental issues head-on, noting the rapid changes in the landscape at Camp C.S. Klaus. “I was looking at Google Maps to scout it out. The Google Maps was from like 2021 or something. Then I went out there and I realized that from 2 or 3 years it has changed significantly,” he observed. His efforts to address these changes included removing debris and restoring natural habitats affected by storms.
Through his projects, Wesley aimed to raise awareness about the importance of conservation. “The environment has the best natural resources. And it’s not something you should take for granted. It’s there right now, but you know, will it be there for your kids?” he pondered. His goal was to inspire others, especially younger Scouts, to take action and make a positive impact.
Reflecting on his journey, Wesley shared a valuable lesson: “The biggest lesson I learned is how important the natural resources are and nature and timber and all that stuff. Natural parts and how it could just be gone easily.” His advice to younger Scouts was clear: “If you walk into a project and you’re not afraid of it, you need to do something bigger, not physically, but tackle something larger.”
Wesley Devaney, an Eagle Scout from Troop 34, has been in Scouting since he was a child. His highlights include high adventures like the Mount Baldi hike, which he described as “the perfect mess; I loved it so much.” Wesley’s journey is a testament to the power of dedication and the impact one Scout can make on the environment.
