William T. Hornaday Profile

Dr. Hornaday (1854-1937) was a pioneer in wildlife conservation. He believed in Scouting. He helped found the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., and was founder, then director, of the New York Zoological Park for more than 20 years.

Dr. Hornaday is generally credited with saving the American bison and other wildlife species from extinction. For years, he wrote articles for Boys' Life and sections of the Boy Scout Handbook, and encouraged every Scout to work on behalf of renewable natural resources. Earning this award is a way Scouts can thank him for his good work.