1. Protecting America’s
Designing Conservation
Most Distinctive National Park
The C&O Canal Trust is an independent nonprofit organization
whose mission is to protect, restore, and promote the C&O Canal
National Historical Park. As the official “friends” organization for
the park, the Trust seeks to ensure that the C&O Canal’s natural,
historical, and recreational potential is fully realized.
Lock 15, C&O Canal (image © Roy Sewall)
C&O Canal in Autumn (image © Roy Sewall)
UMUC President Gerald Heeger (left) and Rear Admiral Rodney P. Rempt (right), president of the Naval War College, have signed an agreement that will enable both current and past naval officers enrolled in the War College's
non-resident program to earn a new online Master of Science in Management - Naval Operations and National Security degree at UMUC.
Charles F. Mercer on the C&O Canal (photo © Roy Sewall) Kayakers on the C&O Canal (image © Roy Sewall)
T it obviously provides a remarkable glimpse into the Park for future generations to enjoy. Through Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, whose
he C&O Canal is indisputably one of America’s along the eastern bank of the Potomac River, from value to the health of the Potomac River (the
history of the canal era and westward expansion, it a combination of fundraising, volunteerism, famous hike of the canal in 1954 with editors of the
premier national parks, though far too few Georgetown in Washington, DC, to Cumberland, source of most of the region’s drinking water) and,
is equally valuable, though far less appreciated, as community outreach and education, and hands- Washington Post helped lead to the establishment
people are aware of the Park’s resources, historic Maryland, yet in many places it is no more than 50 by extension, the Chesapeake Bay.
a repository of the history of prehistoric and Native on restoration, the C&O Canal Trust is working to of the national park in 1971, said of the C&O, “Our
and ecological significance, or potential. It is for yards wide. Yet it is the historical resources within the park
American settlement, the Civil War and slavery, ensure a bright future for the Park. great grandchildren will bless us if we keep it this
good reason it has become known as a “gem hid- Most of the three million visitors come to enjoy that are most extraordinary. The C&O Canal has
immigration, industrial development, the New Deal, The Trust believes that the future of the C&O way.”
den in plain sight.” its myriad recreational opportunities, whether it’s over 1,300 historic structures in various states of
and the conservation movement. All are stories Canal is going to be determined by the community The Trust’s success demonstrates that by
Its enormous popularity—with more annual to stroll, hike, birdwatch, ride horses, fish, bicycle, repair. To put this into context, they account for
waiting to be told. of people who depend on the park for their well- working together, we can be successful.
visits than all but a handful of national parks, canoe, kayak, or sometimes even ski and skate. fully 5% of all historic structures within the entire
The C&O Canal Trust marshals the resources being and quality of life. We all have an obligation
even Yellowstone— is due in large part to the But to view the Canal as merely a place to exercise National Park System. No exaggeration is required
of the community—its energy, expertise, and to ensure that the C&O Canal’s special qualities
accessibility afforded by its distinctive ribbon-like is to miss so much of what makes it unique. From to state that within its 20,000 acres, the park tells
www.CanalTrust.org
economic might—to the task of protecting the are available for future generations to enjoy. As
configuration. The Park stretches for 184 ½ miles an ecological standpoint, the park is of incalculable the story of 19th and 20th century America. While
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