This summer, James Wills of Scouting America Troop 100B proudly completed the New Forest Trail at Moss Rock Preserve as part of his Eagle Scout Service Project. With meticulous planning and effective volunteer management, James transformed a quarter-mile stretch of land into a half-mile loop now known as the New Forest Trail.
The creation of this trail wasn’t just about building a path—it opened up access to a delicate sandstone glade habitat. Here, volunteers played a crucial role in removing invasive exotic plants, helping to preserve the area’s native ecosystem. The success of this project was made possible through support from the Holle Family Foundation, which funded the materials, and the City of Hoover, which provided the tools needed for the workday.
Reflecting on his experience, James said, “It was a great experience to coordinate younger scouts, older scouts, and other adults toward a common goal.” He quickly learned that leadership often requires swift decision-making. For example, when one team completed their work ahead of schedule, James had to promptly reassign scouts to new tasks to keep the project on track.
Check out the impressive before photo (bottom left) and after photo (bottom right)!
