Hi! My name is Lucas, and I'm working toward my Eagle Scout rank — the highest achievement in Scouting. I've been part of the Boy Scouts for over 10 years, and I'm proud to say I've finally reached the point where I can take on my Eagle Project.

For my project, I'm partnering with the South Mountain Conservancy to repair fences that protect native plants from deer overpopulation. These fences are a critical line of defense for the local ecosystem — without them, deer browse through and damage the native plants that South Mountain's wildlife and watershed depend on. Many of the fences are worn down and in need of real attention, and that's where I come in.

South Mountain isn't just a place on a map for me — it's basically my backyard. I've been hiking those trails with my family since I was little, and those woods have been a big part of how I grew up. Getting to give something back to a place that's meant so much to us feels like exactly the right project for this moment.

An Eagle Scout project isn't just about putting in hours — it has to be planned, led, and executed by the Scout. That means I'm responsible for organizing volunteers, coordinating with the Conservancy, and seeing this through from start to finish. Every dollar raised goes directly toward materials: lumber, hardware, tools, and supplies needed to get these fences back in shape.

If you've ever hiked South Mountain, picnicked there, or just appreciated having wild green space in our community, I hope you'll consider supporting this effort. Any amount helps — and it means the world to me to have your encouragement as I work toward this goal.

Thank you so much!

— Lucas