Growing his community

Julien Ryan of Boy Scout Troop 100, 17, left, works on his Eagle Scout Project by assembling a hydroponic unit with Dean Boelke, 13, center, and David Hall, 17, right, also members of Boy Scout Troop 100, at the Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary in Ocala, Fla. on Saturday, Sept. 2, 2023. Ryan’s Eagle Scout project consisted of units that will grow different greens, fruits and vegetables for some of the animals at Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary like deer, tortoises and macaws. [Bruce Ackerman/Ocala Gazette] 2023.

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Posted September 5, 2023 | By Andy Fillmore, andy@ocalagazette.com

For Julien Ryan, reaching Eagle Scout rank has meant more than overcoming the usual hard work and commitment involved in attaining scouting’s top rank.

Julien, 17, a junior at Vanguard High School and scout since age 6, is autistic, has cerebral palsy and motor and verbal disabilities.

The teen recently completed his required Eagle Scout project, which involved raising funds to buy two free standing hydroponic gardens and one vertical garden and installing all three at the Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary (OWLS). The gardens will help provide food for the roughly two dozen rescued animals at the sanctuary.

Julien’s grandmother, Bonny Ryan and his sister, Andrea “A.J.” Ryan, 20, have been supporters and encouragers for the Eagle Scout candidate all along the way.

“I’m very proud of Julien,” Andrea Ryan said, adding that she looks forward to her brother having further involvement in scouting.

Bonny Ryan explained that the scouting honor is yet another milestone for Julien. She said that, initially, there was concern he might not walk or talk.

Julien is a member of Troop 100, which is sponsored by First United Methodist Church of Ocala. Larry Callaway is the scoutmaster and Bonny Ryan is an assistant scoutmaster. Julien has earned at least 90 merit badges and said swimming was his favorite activity.

Brian Boelke, an adult leader with Troop 100, said Julien brings a lot of character to the troop and called him a “true leader.”

Jim Simon, an adult leader with the troop, also praised the Eagle Scout candidate.

Julien had visited OWLS previously and chose to do his project to benefit the resident wildlife and researched the gardens on the internet. The two nearly 6-foot-tall hydroponic towers and the upright garden will help provide fruits and vegetables to feed the animals, which includes rescued owls and other birds, a white tail deer named Buttercup and tortoises. The materials for the Eagle Scout project cost about $1,000 and required around 75 volunteer hours to complete.

Julien raised funds by manning a booth at a Tractor Supply location seeking donations. Several of his fellow scouts, including Jon Lanning, an Eagle Scout from Troop 692; David Hall, Troop 113; and Tristyn DeBose and Dean Boelke, of Troop 100, helped with the project.

The wildlife sanctuary has been operated for more than 21 years by Keith Belisle, a bird of prey expert, and Kenny Lane. OWLS has been a nonprofit since 2005. Belisle has experience in offering educational programs for schools, 4-H clubs and through the juvenile justice system.

Belisle said that Buttercup, now 15 years old, was rescued as a newborn after her mother was struck by a car on Fort King Street and was raised at OWLS. Hobie, a great horned owl, was the victim of what sanctuary literature calls a “cruelty case.” Hobie, who is over 23 years old, was found about 20 years ago in a “snare type trap” and someone “proceeded to chop off her wing with a machete.” Belisle has formed a strong bond with Hobie.

Belisle said that in addition to providing food for the animals, Julien’s project will help provide education about hydroponic gardens and that, eventually, some of the produce may be donated to help needy youth in the community. He praised Julien for “never giving up” on his goal of attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

Lane said Julien’s project will be a benefit to the sanctuary and help with on-going feed expenses, such as about $15 a week for lettuce.

Following submission of his project paperwork and a board of review, Julien expects to receive his Eagle Scout award in a ceremony in several weeks.

Bonny Ryan said he was concerned at first, but coordinated his team and the project went well.

“I’m so happy,” Julien said to his grandmother.

For more information about the Ocala Wildlife Sanctuary, including a wish list for donations, go to ocalawildlifesanctuary.org or call (352) 895-0451.

To learn more about the Boy Scouts of America Marion District, go to FB.com/bsamariondistrict