WRENTHAM - The popular Birchwold Farm conservation area in the west end of town has had a major sprucing up, thanks to a local Boy Scout.

Steven Ketchum, 17, the senior patrol leader for Boy Scout Troop 131, cleaned up and beautified the conservation land off the intersection of Route 121 and West Street in Sheldonville for his Eagle Scout project.

Ketchum, a senior at Bishop Feehan High School, and about a dozen members of his troop, along with some adults, spent three hot Saturday mornings - over 100 hours of labor - this past summer clearing the front entrance of Birchwold Farms. They cleared the site of trash and overgrown brush.

The Scouts created wood thrush habitats with the overgrown brush in the backfields of the conservation land and recycled or disposed of the trash.

"I think it went really well," Ketchum said. "A lot of people have been telling me the place looks a lot nicer, and there is not as much criminal activity." Police can now monitor the area better by observing activity on the property from the road.

The project was recommended to Ketchum by the Wrentham Conservation Commission that oversees the land and has had help there from other Scouts over the years. It has been a favorite spot for Troop 131.

Ketchum and his troop earned part of their orienteering badge on the Birchwold Farm trails, and every January practiced for the Boy Scout Klondike Derby events in its fields.

A former dairy farm, the 80-acre site, which includes a large open field, pond, wetlands, groves and rock ledges, is popular for passive recreation such as hiking, horseback riding, cross-country skiing and birdwatching. It was acquired by the town in 1985.

"It turned out great. I received some terrific feedback on Steven's project," said his mother, former local and regional school committee member Caron Ketchum. His father is Thomas Ketchum.

Troop 131 has produced many Eagle Scouts over the years, including several in recent years, which Caron Ketchum says "is truly an accomplishment. There is a lot of support for the boys to continue and work through to become Eagles."

Ketchum singles out the "wonderful leadership and support" in Troop 131. The troop's scoutmaster is Alan Plantamura.

Ketchum's Eagle Scout ceremony is 2 p.m. Sunday at the Franklin Country Club.