October 22, 2008
Contacts:
Michael Shultz, 410.972.2470 or 410.353.3352, shultz120@comcast.net
Vanessa Vaughan, 703.908.5809, vvaughan@conservationfund.org
Washington, D.C. – The Friends of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Trail and The Conservation Fund are pleased to announce that the Washington Smart Growth Alliance chose the new Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail as a 2008 Regional Conservation Priority.
“The Smart Growth Alliance’s judges noted the trail offers an opportunity to preserve both water and land resources while fostering sustainable tourism,” said Charles Stek, chairman of the Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail.
The lands bordering the trail, particularly those near Washington, have been heavily developed since John Smith explored the Bay. In addition, less than two percent of the land fronting the Bay and its tributaries is open to the public, and even those areas are threatened by development, the impacts of sea level rise, and shoreline erosion.
Although the landscape has undergone dramatic changes, significant conservation opportunities remain. These include landscapes along the trail and natural, historic and cultural resources such as sites visited by John Smith, Native American sites, and islands, beaches and marshes.
“The designation of the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Trail as a conservation priority will bring added awareness of both the vulnerability of the trail and surrounding lands and also the opportunity to use its conservation to benefit people, wildlife and the environment,” said Erik Meyers, vice president of sustainable programs for The Conservation Fund. “We thank the Washington Smart Growth Alliance for recognizing the trail as an important asset to the quality of life in the Washington region.”
The Friends of the Trail believe the trail can stimulate public interest in improving access to the Bay and its tributaries. The group supports the addition of more launching and landing sites for canoes, kayaks and small boats, camping areas along the trail, swimming and fishing beaches, and expanded connections to existing hiking and biking trails. Careful planning will assure protection of fragile resources while creating opportunities for the public to enjoy this American jewel.
The National Park Service is seeking public input on the many different ways people envision the trail. The Friends of the Trail encourage people interested in the trail to let the park service know they support conservation along the trail, improved public access, state-of-the-art interpretation using high technology “smart buoys” and the ability to create connecting trails. The information provided will help shape the trail and improve access and conservation around the bay. Comments are due by November 7th.
To submit comments online go to the National Park Services planning website, http://parkplanning.nps.gov, select the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail from the drop down menu and click on “Open for Public Comment.” Alternatively, visit the Friends of the Trail website, www.friendsofthejohnsmithtrail.org, for details on how to submit your comments. The information you provide will help shape the trail and improve access and conservation around the bay.
The Washington Smart Growth Alliance judges identified six other conservation priorities. They are: a circle of Civil War forts and earthworks erected in defense of the nation’s capital that could be preserved and enhanced with a connecting network of trails or greenways; the 40 original boundary stones that outlined the District of Columbia; Long Bridge Park in Arlington County; Dove’s Landing in Prince William County; and George Washington’s Maryland Conservation Area across the Potomac from Mount Vernon.
The Smart Growth Alliance’s programs promote the overall sustainability of the region by encouraging smart growth alternatives such as compact and infill development that can be more affordable for citizens and more sustainable. At the same time, it is clear that smart conservation – preserving working open space, parkland or natural areas and restoring green components of urban environments – can help shape growth patterns and enhance land stewardship, air and water quality and quality of life.
Read more about the Captain John Smith Chesapeake Trail »
Visit the Washington Smart Growth Alliance website »
The Friends of the John Smith Chesapeake Trail is a 501(c)(3) corporation that promotes public access, conservation, education, and fosters local support along the Capt. John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. In supporting the trail, they celebrate the unique history and environment of the Chesapeake Bay, and seek opportunities to conserve the bay’s lands to create a lasting conservation legacy for future generations.
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