Created by the BSA, the Outdoor Code defines outdoor ethics for Scouts:

As an American, I will do my best to –

Be clean in my outdoor manners.

Be careful with fire.

Be considerate in the outdoors.

Be conservation-minded.

To zero in on that last line, "be conservation-minded," we can choose conservation daily in so many little decisions. Check out a few ways to be mindful of how to conserve resources on all your outdoor adventures and at home!  

1. Water: Stick to watering yards and plants early in the morning! The key is to avoid watering during the hottest and brightest part of the day so less evaporation occurs. 
2. Water: Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth and wash your hands. We brush our teeth (and wash our hands) for between 1 and 3 minutes, which adds up to 2.5 - 7.5 gallons of water saved every time you brush or wash! 
3. Water: Only run the dishwasher when it is full (the same goes for the washing machine, although most newer models use less water).
4. Water: You can use rainwater runoff to water the plants around your yard. Consider installing a rain barrel at home. Before you install one, be sure to make sure there are no restrictions on this practice in your area.
5. Food: Start a composting bin for your family. In America, more than 65 billion pounds of food are thrown away yearly (a waste of about $2,200 per year per household). By composting your food, you are reducing what ends up in a landfill (where it takes much longer for material to break down) and enriching the soil around your home (plants love compost). You can even try worm composting! It is so easy and fun to do with the family. Are you looking to get started? Read this blog on worm composting.
   
6. Electricity: Adjust your thermostat. Keep it a few degrees warmer during the day when you aren't home in the summer (and the opposite in the winter). Using fans is also a great way to save energy – they use less than an HVAC system and can allow you to keep an extra degree or two in the summer.
   
7. Electricity: Turn off all lights whenever you leave a room. There is no need to have lights on if you aren't there! This is another fantastic lesson to teach the littles - the more reminders they get now, the more they will automatically do it later.
   
8. Electricity: Use the warm or cold settings on your washer (not "hot") – this can save anywhere between 150 and 500 lbs of CO2 per year, depending on the type of heater you have.
   
9. Animal Protection: Stop using single-use plastic. Plastic is not biodegradable; it breaks down into smaller pieces in our food chain, harming animals and, eventually, people. Keep a reusable water bottle in your bag, and you can take this a step further and keep a reusable container in your bag for restaurant leftovers, too. 

As leaders in their communities, Scouts have an opportunity to lead the way and teach people how to be responsible citizens. Part of being conservation-minded also means learning from others. So, as you take action, be sure to loop others into the conversation. By sharing, you may start a movement within your community, and then that community can keep spreading! Be sure to tag us on Facebook and share how you lead the conservation-minded charge in your community. Tag us using #ScoutShopBSA for your chance to be featured on our social channels. For reusable water bottles, camping mugs, water filters, and more conservation-minded outdoor gear visit ScoutShop.org—the official online retail store of the BSA!