Linking Girls to the Land

Linking Girls to the Land is an interagency partnership between the Girl Scouts of the USA's Elliott Wildlife Values Project and federal natural resource agencies. This initiative encourages girls to become involved in conservation and natural resource issues on a national and local level by providing opportunities for career exploration, outdoor recreation, environmental education and volunteer service programs.

National Projects and Opportunities

Get with the Land Patch
By earning this patch, girls will learn about the Linking Girls to the Land partnership, work side by side with a federal or state natural resource agency professional and choose an environmental project or activity in which to participate or complete. Patch criteria and order forms are available in Girl Scout Central.

EPA Water Drop Patch Project
The project offers learning opportunities to Girl Scouts in watersheds, non point source pollution, wetlands, and groundwater/drinking water. The project booklet can be found at www.epa.gov/adopt/patch/. Copies of booklet are also available free by calling the National Service Center for Environmental Publications at: 800-490-9198.

Linking Girls to the Land Council Grants
Any Girl Scout Adult Volunteer, Council staff member, Campus Girl Scout, or Girl Scout aged 15-17 who has full support of her council can apply for funding to implement a project in partnership with a federal or state natural resource agency. Projects must be focused on environmental education, volunteer service, and/or outdoor skills development as well as career awareness.

The Nature of Learning
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Wildlife Refuge System’s community-based environmental education initiative. The Nature of Learning grants provide financial and technical assistance to help Girl Scout Councils and their communities use NWR's as outdoor classrooms to promote a greater understanding of local conservation issues. Contact Deborah Moore at 703-358-2386.

Leave No Trace Trainings, Opportunities, Grants and Materials
GSUSA supports Leave No Trace values and ethics, which teach stewardship, minimal impact camping, and responsible recreational use of the land.  Integrate Leave No Trace principles into Girl Scout council environmental and outdoor program and council and troop activities.  Enroll in various trainings and opportunities, apply for grants and explore the wide range of materials available for Girl Scouts.

Take Pride in America®
This national partnership aims to encourage, support, and recognize volunteers who work to improve our public parks, forests, grasslands and wildlife refuges, as well as our cultural and historic sites, local playgrounds and other recreation areas. Take Pride is an excellent opportunity for Girl Scouts to demonstrate local pride, initiative, and stewardship by volunteering on public lands.

Wyoming’s Wildlife Wonders STUDIO 2B® destination
Girl Scout partner teams, ages 13-15, study the ecology and natural history of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. The week is filled with hiking, canoeing and trekking through the Grand Teton National Park and Bridger-Teton National Forest. Teens observe wildlife and participate in a national bird-banding effort. Teens share their experience by developing an environmental action or research project.

Linking Girls to the Land Regional Workshops
Workshops are designed to explain the program and "link" Girl Scout representatives with federal and state natural resource agency personnel. The goal is to form joint conservation and outdoor projects on public and Girl Scout lands that enhance the Girl Scout program and also benefit the agencies.

More information about Linking Girls to the Land is available at www.epa.gov/linking girls.

Linking Girls to the Land Resource Guide

The Linking Girls to the Land Resource Guide (PDF, 1MB), is an easy-to-use resource that highlights the Linking Girls to the Land partnership and provides all you need to know to get involved. Written for Girl Scout council and natural resource agency staff and volunteers, this guide shares information about the Girl Scout program and each of the Linking Girls to the Land partners. Agency information, such as their mission, contact information and opportunities available for Girl Scouts, are listed. Model Linking Girls to the Land projects are featured, and councils and agencies are provided information about how to design Linking Girls the Land projects together. All of the Linking Girls to the Land programs and opportunities, such as grants, environmental destinations, and resources, are also included. 

This revised resource is available electronically as a PDF and can be downloaded, printed and copied in its entirety for use with Girl Scouts.  The guide is designed to be duplicated on white paper, double-sided. All Girl Scout councils were mailed one printed copy.

For questions regarding the Linking Girls to the Land Resource Guide or the partnership, contact Jodi Stewart, Manager, Linking Girls to the Land, linkinggirls@girlscouts.org or 212-852-8076.