View Some Photos of the Project...
White House, Washington DC, April 2008
Mike receives the President's Environmental Youth Award in a Rose Garden ceremony attended by First Lady Laura Bush and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Steve Johnson. President Bush cited Mike's project during his keynote address.
Mike receives the President's Environmental Youth Award in a Rose Garden ceremony attended by First Lady Laura Bush and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Director Steve Johnson. President Bush cited Mike's project during his keynote address.
Earth Day, April 22, 2008, Boston, MA
Mike is interviewed by Mish Michaels, WBZ-TV4, Boston about his project. The project was highlighted as part of an Earth Day report. Mike used the opportunity to educate more anglers about the dangers of lead and the readily available alternatives. He was one of the invited exhibitors at the annual "Green Expo" hosted by Region One (New England) of the EPA. The expo highlighted green alternatives for everyday living and was attended by hundreds of people.
Mike at Faneuil Hall, Boston, on Earth Day, April 22, 2008. The project was cited by Steve Johnson, Director of the EPA in his keynote address. Mike received the EPA Merit Award. The Environmental Merit Awards highlighted the projects and lifetime achievements of people working to make a difference for the environment.
Field & Stream Magazine, New York City, September 2007
Mike's project was honored in New York City in September, 2007 at Field & Stream magazine's "Heroes of Conservation" award ceremony. His project was selected as the first-ever Boy Scout recipient of the award. His project was cited by keynote speaker, United States Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Director of United States Fish and Wildlife H. Dale Hall who presented the award to Mike.
Photos from Fishing Derbies, May - June 2007
Mike and members of St. Agathas Troop 5, Milton, Massachusetts attended fishing derbies throughout the Boston area. They handed out nearly 700 packages of sample lead-free fishing weights and collected nearly 50 pounds of lead. This means that approximately 8,000-10,000 lead fishing weights have been removed from our lakes and ponds.
More importantly, while at the derbies, they talked with nearly 1000 anglers and had the opportunity to educate anglers about the dangers of lead. Local and regional newspapers, national magazines and video and television interviews also helped spread the "Get the Lead Out of Fishing" message to tens of thousands of anglers.
These swans and their baby cignets came by as we were setting up at Whitman's Pond Fishing Derby. Because of the lead collected at this derby, thousands of fewer lead sinkers could end up in this pond which is home to many swans, ducks and other waterfowl.
State House, Boston, Massachusetts, June 2007
Mike had the opportunity to present his project at the Massachusetts State House in June 2007. He set up a table display with sample packages of non-lead weights and educational materials to get state legislators to support removing lead from recreational fishing.
During this event, Mike received citations from both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate. Mike and Representative Walter Timilty are here at Mike's table display set up to educate legislators and environmental activists about the dangers of lead in the environment and the readily available alternatives.
St. Agathas Troop 5, Milton Massachusetts
Gets the Lead Out of Fishing
Team member Alex Jamal wears protective gloves to handle the lead brought in by anglers. On the table in front of him are the sample packages and a couple of the educational brochures made to educate anglers about the dangers of lead.
Behind Alex is the banner which was displayed at all fishing derbies and educational events. It provides a way to bring people over to the display and a chance to teach them about the dangers of lead.
Members of Troop 5 and the Get the Lead Out of Fishing Team set up the display at the Massasoit Fishing Derby in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This derby was for Cub Scouts and was a great opportunity to reach the youngest anglers - and their families - and teach them about how lead kills waterfowl.
Members of St Agathas Troop 5 Milton, Massachusetts packaged up nearly 800 sample packages of weights to hand out to anglers at fishing derbies and educaitonal events. Mike recieved donations and discounts which allowed him to reach an even greater number of anglers. Because the team assembled the packages, Mike could really make his small grants and donations go pretty far.
This project is ongoing. Mike Browne, the project leader, has received national and international attention. Read about his experiences here. Mike has had the able assistance of other Scouts who have also contributed their thoughts. 