Specifically, the ecological damage I am referring to is in the caves. The scouts and scoutmasters may not mean any harm, but a careless step here or a pit stop there can have serious repercussions. Caves are pretty much barren of food, and the native fauna have adapted to that. By bringing in foreign nutrients, non-native bacteria and planarians can establish a foothold and kill off the original tenants, thereby disrupting the food chain. (This is why we pack out our waste, even the liquids.)


I'm not saying that the organization as a whole is maliciously defacing caves. I believe the damage is due to ignorance on the part of the scoutmasters.(who probably mean well)

If you wish, I can send you a few links that further expand upon the issue.