Have a look at this article. I was forwarded this by a friend who is heavily involved in the outdoors community. Written by Jeff Marion of the USGS and Virginia Tech, it's a great short read about the impact of woods tools (knives, saws, axes, hatchets) on backcountry flora, namely the trees and deadwood cut down for campfires.
I was a Cub Scout for several years, and a Boy Scout for about six years, including several stints as a camper and counselor at Goshen Scout Reservation. I have distinct memories of earning my Totin' Chip, as well as many a campfire and split log. While I think it's important for scouts to learn blade safety, the component of LNT is just as important (and should hopefully be just as pervasive across all of the various scouting activities).
The article pretty much speaks for itself and it would be great to see some of the changes adopted by BSA. I don't mean to be too critical of an organization which is (mostly) a very positive outlet for boys and young men, although they are, ironically, some of the more problematic (though well-intentioned) groups that I've come across in the woods.
Thinking about this stuff brings to mind a favorite quote of mine, from Mr. Teddy Roosevelt:
Leave it as it is. You can not improve on it. The ages have been at work on it, and man can only mar it. What you can do is to keep it for your children, your children's children, and for all who come after you, as one of the great sights which every American if he can travel at all should see.
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