Striving for Scouting's Highest Honor

Baxter Perry-Miller ’24 is working on his third Boy Scout Distinguished Conservation Service Award, in the area of Fish & Wildlife Management. Since June, he has been assisting scientists at the Lake Lewisville Environmental Learning Area (LLELA) with bobwhite quail conservation. The bobwhite quail are among the fastest declining species in the United States, but Baxter hopes the scientists’ research can help restore the species.

“Baxter has shown a keen interest in learning about quail and the science of conservation efforts,” said Pamela Bennett, an LLELA volunteer.

Baxter started his project by helping LLELA staff release pen-raised quail in June 2020. Afterward, LLELA director Dr. Ken Steigman suggested Baxter find a way to know where the birds go after they are released. Baxter researched different strategies to track quail, ultimately deciding to use pointing dogs, specially-trained dogs who help locate quail in dense habitats without impacting the birds.

In September, Baxter, along with 20 volunteers, banded and released 111 more quail at the LLELA. As part of the monitoring process, Baxter coordinated with fellow conservationists and their dogs to help track where the quail move. “So far Baxter’s project is allowing us to implement an additional strategy in monitoring the dispersal and locations of released bobwhite quail,” said Dr. Steigman.

“I have really enjoyed this project because we take our dog, King, who is a three-year-old German Shorthaired Pointer and our whole family can walk the sections to record the tracking of birds,” Baxter said. Baxter also thanked his St. Mark’s teachers who have advised and aided his conservation projects. 

“Mr. Northcut, Mr. Lange, Mr. Rummel, and Mr. Sullivan have all met with me to help work through ideas. St. Mark’s has given me a platform where I can talk about my project.”

As part of his Distinguished Conservation Project, Baxter will continue monitoring the quail for several more weeks, educating the public about this conservation issue, promoting his project through various media sources, and working towards a long-term conservation solution.

Baxter’s previous Distinguished Conservation Service Award projects included resource recovery at The Trinity River Audubon Center and conducting a city-wide battery disposal drive (for which St. Mark’s served as the first drop-off point). He recently received approval for his fourth and final project, constructing an apiary at Bonton Farms. Upon completion of all four projects, Baxter hopes to earn the Silver Medal in conservation, the highest Boy Scouts of America award for conservation, and the rarest award in scouting.