An Eagle Scout service project by Garrett Bailey — building 20 wood duck nesting boxes for the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Henry County, Georgia.
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Garrett Bailey, a member of Boy Scout Troop 1011, is earning his Eagle Scout rank through a hands-on conservation project that will benefit the natural landscape of Henry County for decades to come. With the guidance of his troop leaders and community volunteers, Garrett will design, build, and install 20 wood duck nesting boxes at the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center.
The Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center serves thousands of students and families each year. These nesting boxes will give wood ducks safe places to raise their young, support biodiversity, and give future visitors a front-row seat to wildlife in action.
The wood duck (Aix sponsa) is one of North America's most stunning waterfowl species — and one of Georgia's most beloved. Unlike most ducks, wood ducks nest in tree cavities and nest boxes near water, making them perfect candidates for this kind of conservation effort.
Male wood ducks are considered among the most beautiful birds in North America, featuring iridescent green heads, chestnut breasts, and intricate white markings.
Wood ducks naturally nest in tree hollows near water. As old trees are removed, natural cavities become scarce — making nest boxes a critical supplement for the species.
A hen typically lays 9–14 eggs per clutch. Within 24 hours of hatching, ducklings make a remarkable leap from the box to the ground and head straight for the water.
Wood ducks are found year-round throughout Georgia in wooded swamps, ponds, and rivers. Henry County's wetlands at Cubihatcha provide ideal habitat.
Once nearly extinct due to over-hunting and habitat loss, wood duck populations rebounded dramatically thanks to nest box programs just like this one.
Monitoring nest boxes teaches students about wildlife biology, habitat, and conservation — directly supporting Cubihatcha's outdoor education mission.
Each nesting box is constructed to Ducks Unlimited proven wildlife management specifications. Garrett and his volunteers will cut, assemble, and weatherproof every box themselves. The design ensures proper ventilation, drainage, easy monitoring access for maintenance, and a predator guard to keep eggs and ducklings safe.
Garrett's boxes follow the Ducks Unlimited nest box guide — the gold standard for wood duck habitat management used by wildlife agencies across North America.
Rough-cut lumber, proper entry hole dimensions, ventilation, drainage, and a predator baffle are all part of the proven DU design.
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Interior Floor | 7.75" × 9.25" (DU standard) |
| Interior Height | 24" |
| Entry Hole | 4" × 3" elliptical |
| Hole Height | 20" above floor |
| Lumber | Rough-cut cedar or pine (1" thick nominal) |
| Interior Surface | Rough-cut faces inward to aid duckling exit |
| Bedding | 4–6 inches wood shavings (not sawdust) |
| Drain Holes | 4 corner holes in floor for drainage |
| Ventilation | Gaps under roof / holes near top |
| Predator Guard | Stovepipe or metal cone baffle on mounting pole |
| Access Door | Hinged side or front panel for annual cleaning |
| Mounting Height (water) | 3 ft above historic high water level |
| Mounting Height (land) | 6 ft above ground, within 200 yds of water |
| Finish | None on cedar; nontoxic earth-tone only on plywood — never inside |
| Total Boxes | 20 units |
The Eagle Scout rank is the highest achievement in Boy Scouting, earned by fewer than 4% of all Scouts. A cornerstone requirement is planning and leading a substantial community service project entirely from scratch. Garrett chose conservation because of his passion for the outdoors and the local wildlife that calls Henry County home.
Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center was selected as the installation site for its existing wetland habitat, its role in environmental education, and its potential to showcase the nesting boxes to future generations of students.
Garrett researches wood duck requirements, selects box design, meets with Cubihatcha staff to select installation locations, and submits Eagle Project proposal to the troop committee.
Community donations fund lumber, hardware, and tools. Garrett leads outreach to family, neighbors, local businesses, and online supporters.
Garrett organizes and leads volunteer build sessions where Scouts, family, and community members cut, assemble, and weatherproof all 20 nest boxes.
Boxes are mounted on poles and trees throughout the wetland areas of the Cubihatcha Outdoor Education Center in Henry County, Georgia.
Cubihatcha staff and future scout troops monitor box occupancy annually, clean boxes each winter, and report nesting success as part of the education program.
This project succeeds because of community support. Whether you can give a few dollars, a few hours, or just spread the word — every bit of help directly benefits local wildlife and outdoor education in Henry County.
Funds cover lumber, hardware, predator baffles, mounting supplies, and waterproofing materials. Every dollar goes directly to building materials.
Goal: 20 boxes · ~$40/box
Donate Now →Join Garrett and the troop for a build day! No carpentry experience needed — just willingness to work and a good attitude. Families and community members welcome.
Sign Up to Help →Share this project with your neighbors, church, school, or workplace. The more people who know, the more support Garrett receives for this community effort.
Share via Email →Do you work in construction or have cedar/pine lumber to spare? In-kind material donations are greatly appreciated and can be arranged for drop-off or pickup.
Contact Garrett →Reach out at garrettbailey@duckboxproject.org or follow along as the project progresses. We'll post build day updates, installation photos, and first-season occupancy results right here at duckboxproject.org.