WASHINGTON –
U. S. Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.) today announced that six Maryland recipients have been selected to receive almost $164,000 in federal grants from the National Park Service for the
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network Program
The National Park Service’s Gateways Network is a partnership system of parks, refuges, museums, historic sites and water trails spanning the Bay watershed.
The network’s mission is to create a united network that will enable people to experience and learn about the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed.
“This program is exciting because each site tells a different story about the Bay and helps Marylanders and all Americans understand and appreciate the Bay,” said Senator Cardin.
“These grants also help local communities and organizations get involved in improving the Bay and its watershed.”
“The Chesapeake Bay is part of who we are as Marylanders – our heritage and our culture. That’s why I’m so proud to announce these Chesapeake Bay Gateways grants for projects around the state to protect and preserve Maryland’s greatest natural resource for future generations to enjoy,” said Senator Mikulski. “I will continue to fight to keep the Bay a priority in the federal checkbook.”
The six Maryland grant recipients include:
·
Adkins Arboretum in Ridgeley, MD — $22,852 for the Chesapeake Gateways Volunteer Interpreter Training project.
This pilot program will provide innovative training for volunteer docents to assist in mastering techniques for interpreting their sites and linking their resources to the Chesapeake Bay.
It will foster partnerships among organizations on the Eastern Shore and beyond and result in a cadre of volunteers across the region who are trained to promote citizen stewardship of the Bay.
·
The Chesapeake Environmental Center in Grasonville, MD — $25,068 to Enhance Public Understanding of Environmentally Friendly Building Components.
This project will educate visitors on ways to reduce the use of natural resources through green home buildings and conservation landscaping.
Visitors will see functioning low impact designs, environmentally friendly products and systems available to the private citizen and homeowner.
·
Monocacy Scenic River Water Trail and C&O Canal NHP, Frederick, MD and Hagerstown, MD — $64,062
for the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Interpretation at the Frederick Visitors Center.
This project will assist in the design and development of Gateways-related interpretation and marketing at the new Frederick Visitors Center, including interior and exterior exhibits and visitor orientation films.
The exhibits will feature local Gateways site such as the C&O Cannel National Historic Park, the Monocacy River Water Trail, and the Potomac River Water Trail; promotion of stewardship and appreciation of the watershed and its natural and cultural heritage resources will be incorporated throughout the exhibit.
·
Sailwinds Visitor Center in Cambridge, MD and Vienna, MD — $7,000 for Signage for the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail.
This project will help improve access, interpretation and education along the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and further the development of a Nanticoke River water trail.
The project will develop signage at the Sailwinds Visitor Center orienting visitors to trail exploration opportunities in the county and especially on the Nanticoke River in Vienna; within Vienna additional interpretative signage will serve as an extension of the Visitor Center at the Sailwinds Park East.
Signage at the waterfront park along the Nanticoke River and other locations in town will educate visitor about Capt. Smith’s voyages.
·
Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum in St. Leonard, MD — $30,000 for Reading the Signs-Changes to the Chesapeake Bay since the exploration by Capt. John Smith.
This project will combine research and educational programming to document and interpret the changes to the Bay’s watershed since Capt. Smith first saw it in the 17
th Century, and it will provide students with information on their role in the stewardship of the Bay.
·
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, MD — $14,986 for Interpreting the Maryland Marsh Aviary.
This project will construct and install interactive animal identification signage for Marsh birds in the Maryland Wilderness Marsh Aviary exhibit at the Zoo. Signage will include species-specific messages about the Bay and watershed habitat, status in the wild, and stewardship opportunities.
