Cole Barber, 16, a junior at Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, has earned the rank of Eagle Scout.
He is a member of Troop 17, chartered by Foothills Baptist Church. Barber received his Arrow of Light from Cub Scout Pack 178 of Ahwatukee and bridged into Troop 17. He has been elected Senior Patrol Leader for the troop. During his five years with Troop 17, he has earned 31 merit badges.
Barber's Eagle project involved repairing an area of the Tonto National Forest near the Four Peaks area that had been destroyed by unauthorized use by off-road vehicles.
His volunteer team of more than 30 scouts and volunteers logged over 180 hours during the project. Many types of cacti and other desert vegetation were replanted in the area.
When completed, the area looked like it had returned to its natural state. Some species of plants were planted as a deterrent to further use of the area. Many of Barber's volunteer team spent the weekend camping in the area and picking up additional trash to carry out.
• Beverly Stidham, (480) 898-7924 or bstidham@ahwatukee.com
