Since 2007, C&O Canal Trust has worked with the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the National Park Service to keep its 184.5-mile path beautiful, safe, and accessible. Its 5 million annual visitors relax in nature, gather for celebrations, enjoy recreational sports, and appreciate the biodiversity of the park. Through its partnerships, the Trust welcomes community members who have fewer opportunities to engage in the outdoors. The Trust brings the park’s two-century history alive by offering overnight stays in historic lockhouses. Trust fundraising supports the NPS Canal Classrooms Program, immersing K-12 students in STEAM learning outside the classroom, and supports the NPS biodiversity program that protects 200 endangered plant species in the park. With hundreds of residents volunteering over 7,000 hours annually, the Trust shows how communities can steward public land for future generations.
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