Sometimes inspiration comes when least expected. For James Whistler, it happened to be while he was on vacation.

The senior was camping with his family near Santa Cruz when he saw an informative display about wetlands. Just about a year later, he finished installing informative signs in three different Rocklin locations: Whitney Park, Rukhala Park, and Stanford Ranch Road. His Eagle Scout Award was complete.

"I felt it would be education while supporting conservation," said the student who is currently enrolled in AP Enviornmental Science.

Of course, such actions required the approval of his troop committee chair, scoutmaster, and the city.

The idea appealed to the Boy Scout council, as well as Rocklin. The city wanted to inform the public of the wetlands and was advocate in supporting the socut's project.

The signs describe riparian wetlands, all of which are parts of the Pleasant Grove Creek.

Whistler met with a local botanist and biologist as well as representatives from the city's Public Works Department, who helped him finalize plans and speculations. With guidance, he made visits to each of the possible locations where he determined the details of the sign placement, surrounding groundcover and offset from path.

His goal was to emulate the landscape and ground cover techniques already a part of the scenery. Whistler made sure that the groundwork was restored to its original condition.

The scout also created the design of the graphics on the signs after researching the wetlands and its biological community. This year, Whistler is taking Digital Art.

He says that through the project he increased his knowledge in computerized editing, particularly that dealing with sizing and editing in Photoshop.

As an addition to his project, the scout promoted safety at the Stanford Ranch site. He informed the community of the speed of cars and bikes on the busy street.

Whistler says he would like to thank Greg Goldner, Justin Pugh, Mason Pugh, Brandon Harding, Salim Bouzid, and Cody Moraga for helping him complete the project.

"I could not have done it without everyone who helped me or the support of my dad," said Whistler, who says he gained values like perserverance and deterimation through the entire process.

After nearly 300 hours invested into the project, Whistler was honored in an Eagle Scout Court of Honor Ceremony.

The senior has applied to both UC and CSU colleges to study engineering and business. His top two choices include UCSB and Cal Poly.

Although he will be out of Rocklin in the fall, he says he hopes that his project "has a lasting and meaningful effect on the community.''