Mr Howard who made the announcement at a local Scout hall in eastern suburbs of Melbourne, Victoria said the grants are a part of the $2 billion Australian Water Fund.

Scouts Australia Chief Commissioner John Ravenhall AM said the funding will be used to install water tanks and other water saving devices.

“We are delighted the Federal Government has awarded $17 million to Scouts Australia through its Community Water Grants Program,’ said Mr Ravenhall.

‘These water grants will promote wise water use in every Scout hall across Australia and what better way to celebrate the Worldwide Centenary of Scouting than to ensure that we continue to do our bit towards protecting the environment.

“’A Scout cares for the environment’ is one of the ten Australian Scout Laws. These grants will help our youth members from an early age to not only learn about water conservation but also to model best practice in water management,” Mr Ravenhall added.

Sustainable water use in Scout halls complements the initiatives taken through the Murray Darling Rescue Project, where Scouts across four states and the ACT were involved in the planting of over a million trees to stabilise catchments, enhance habitat, improve water quality, and reduce salinity.

Scouts Australia has a very well developed environmental programme. In every section of Scouting, from Joeys, through Cub Scouts, Scouts, Venturer Scouts, Rovers and Adult Leaders, there are programmes that provide opportunities for Scouts to explore and learn about the natural environment and instil in them the sense of being ‘guardian of the woods’ as BP put it. This is all done with a lot of fun and hands on activities where Scouts can learn by doing.

For more information about what Scouts in Australia are doing for the environment, click here.

Prime Minister Howard also took the opportunity during his visit to the Scouts to announce that 2008 will be the 'Year of the Scout' in Australia- as it will be 100 years since Scouting started in the nation.