In the early 1970s, wildlife enthusiast Herford N. Elliott established the Herford N. Elliott Charitable Trust and named Girl Scouts of the USA (GSUSA) a beneficiary. In 1977, GSUSA formed the Elliott Wildlife Values Project (EWVP)* and since then, the project has instilled in girls a lifelong commitment to the environment and wildlife conservation through hands-on experiences in nature—available to them because of Herford Elliott's vision and generosity.
Through their partnership, the EWVP and Girl Scouts help girls become leaders in wildlife conservation and environmental stewardship efforts that positively affect their communities—as they build the courage, confidence, and character to make the world a better place, which is the Girl Scout mission. The EWVP supports girls in developing science, outdoor, and leadership skills through cooperative, girl-led activities in which they learn by doing. In the process, they:
- Discover a strong sense of self, develop positive values, and gain an understanding of their important role in caring for wildlife and Earth's natural resources
- Connect with nature, the outdoors, and their local and global communities; network with environmental experts; and investigate career opportunities
- Take action to identify community and environmental needs, positively influence the environment, and inspire others to act as stewards of the Earth and its wildlife
About the EWVP
The EWVP supports Girl Scout councils and global committees through program development, grants, membership and volunteer resources, learning opportunities, and collaboration with national organizations and agencies.
It focuses on activities with the widest reach so as many of our members as possible can participate, especially girls of diverse ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. The work supports Girl Scouts’ environmental stewardship, STEM, outdoors and camp activities.
Girl Scouts engage in fun activities to learn about our planet’s ecosystems and how people, plants, and animals support each other to survive. Through the Girl Scout Tree Promise, girls and their communities will take 5 million actions to address climate change - including to plant, honor, and protect trees. And Wildlife-focused Destinations supported by EWVP scholarships offer girls an opportunity to connect with nature, explore global issues, and take action to protect wildlife. They inspire more girls to explore outdoor activities and appreciate wildlife in unique, exciting ways.
Thanks to the EWVP, Girl Scouts of the USA has been able to support councils and volunteers through conservation-related activities, outdoor volunteer resources, such as skill-building videos, the development of national outdoor outcomes, Girl Scouts Soar in the Outdoors research report, and more. Ultimately, the EWVP brings outdoor experiences and environmental stewardship to the forefront of girls' lives.
Only by educational processes can ... any reasonable quantities of wildlife be preserved for the satisfaction and companionship of future generations. —Herford N. Elliott
*Additional funding and in-kind support has been provided through grants, sponsors, and alliances.
