C and O Canal Trust

Interpretation and education:as the official nonprofit partner of the c&o Canal national historical park, the c&o Canal Trust works closely with the national park service (nps) to develop and manage unique and innovative interpretive and education programs that enhance the visitor experience. 1)the c&o Canal Trust's nationally acclaimed and award winning Canal quarters program continues to provide immersive interpretive experiences for overnight visitors. The seven restored lockhouses provide a unique experience from different periods in the c&o Canal's history. The program hosted 3,085 visitors for overnight programs in fy22. 2)the c&o Canal Trust provided critical funds to support the park's Canal classrooms education program which delivers curriculum-based steam (science, technology, engineering, arts, math) instruction to area schoolchildren. Programs are typically delivered in an "outdoor classroom" setting at the Canal. During the pandemic, many virtual resources were developed including live virtual classes. In fy22, more than 1,000 k-12th grade students participated virtually in Canal classrooms. 40 Canal explorer backpacks were distributed to allegany and Washington county public schools. Each backpack includes ready-made activities and curriculum that can be put to use in the classroom, schoolyard, or in the park, and will reach as many as 15,000 children annually. 3)the c&o Canal Trust's Canal discoveries provides a virtual trip planning toolbox including a map-based website, stories from along the length of the Canal, narrated by nps rangers, and interpretive audio podcasts. The Trust has also developed the c&o Canal explorer, an award winning downloadable geolocation-based mobile app, that has been downloaded by more than 10,200 park visitors.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT:THE C&O CANAL TRUST CONNECTS WITH LOCAL COMMUNITIES TO IDENTIFY PRIORITIES AND ENGAGE THEIR SUPPORT IN KEY PARK INITIATIVES.1)THE CANAL TOWNS PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT ON BEHALF OF 10 COMMUNITIES ALONG THE CANAL, REAPING THE BENEFITS OF TRAIL-BASED TOURISM AND RECREATION. IN FY22, THE C&O CANAL TRUST CONTINUED TO SERVE AS THE FISCAL AGENT FOR THE PARTNERSHIP AND HELPED TO SUPPORT TOURISM IN NEARBY COMMUNITIES. 2)HISTORIC PRESERVATION AND PARK INFRASTRUCTURE(a)THE C&O TRUST RAISED $36,372 in FY22 TO FUND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO SUPPORT THE PARK'S MULTI-YEAR TOWPATH RESURFACING CAMPAIGN.3)IN FY22, OUR CANAL FOR ALL PROGRAM FOCUSED ON ENGAGING DEMOGRAPHICALLY UNDERREPRESENTED AUDIENCES THROUGH RECREATIONAL, VOLUNTEER AND EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES. TO DATE, NEARLY 355 UNDERSERVED YOUTH AND YOUNG ADULTS, INCLUDING LATINX AND AFRICAN AMERICAN COMMUNITIES, PARTICIPATED IN ONE OF THE TRUST'S CANAL FOR ALL PROGRAMS.

Volunteer engagement:the c&o Canal Trust actively recruits and oversees several volunteer programs to provide meaningful opportunities for the public to contribute to the care and support of the park. 1)the c&o Canal Trust mobilized 896 volunteers in fy22 for the 15th year of the Canal community days program. These volunteers donated nearly $255,309 worth of in-kind labor to conservation, access, infrastructure improvement, and historic preservation projects in the park. 2)the c&o Canal Trust's volunteer quartermasters program continues to provide volunteer support for the upkeep and general maintenance and preservation of the Canal quarters lockhouses. The program has 35 volunteer quartermasters.