SCOUTING PROJECTS—Updated May 2010
Safe Haven has partnered since 2007 with the Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts of Nevada Area Council, Humboldt District, Pack 223. Scouts take part in our educational programs and earn Conservation Badges with activities such as clearing firebreaks, landscaping, vermicomposting, and hand-crafting enrichment objects for our animals.
Recent visitors—Eight Girl Scouts improved our fox enclosure by adding landscaping and "hiding places" made of natural and man-made materials. This enriched environment will benefit our permanent-placement foxes by keeping them physically active and engaging their innate instincts. The foxes immediately began exploring their new favorite places.
EAGLE SCOUT PROJECT—Furnishings for Tigger
In the fall of 2007, Eagle Scout candidate Jackson Gratwohl (front row left) and the Scouts of Nevada Area Council, Humboldt District, Pack 223 devoted many hours to work on furnishings for our new Siberian tiger enclosure. The habitat is now the home of our Siberian tiger, Tigger, who took up residence in December 2007.
Jackson, who researched tiger behavior and habitat, took on the construction of a tiger den, pool, and jungle gym, as his Eagle Scout project. Besides working on the design and construction, Jackson raised $930 for materials.
The tiger's furnishings were the most extensive of several Scout projects at Safe Haven in 2007. The Cub Scouts came to our sanctuary on May 20, when they worked on landscaping and firebreaks to earn their Conservation Badges. On June 30 they were
The tiger's den (under construction and completed, below) is 6 x 10 ft., with an insulated baffle and a 3-ft. entrance surrounded with stone. The completed den is covered with dirt in order to look as natural as possible, and the entrance area is landscaped with logs and a stone walkway.
Jackson's plan also included a platform (right) for climbing and sunning.
A rounded basin (below) was dug for the tiger's pool, with plumbing installed underneath. The Scouts lined the basin with 6-gauge wire, providing a framework for the cement.
Safe Haven thanks the donors who helped fund Jackson's Eagle Scout project: Anna L. Lyon, Maxine O'Connell, Daniel L. Hale, Martin Price, Denny Paquette, Brent Ford, and James Seward. All are from Florida Canyon Mining Company.
