Projects connect people to the natural and cultural heritage of the chesapeake BAY watershed through the chesapeake BAY gateways and watertrails network and support implementation of: identifying,…

Projects connect people to the natural and cultural heritage of the chesapeake BAY watershed through the chesapeake BAY gateways and watertrails network and support implementation of: identifying, conserving, restoring, and interpreting natural, recreational, historical, and cultural resources within the chesapeake BAY watershed identifying and utilizing the collective resources sites for enhancing public education of and access to the chesapeake BAY linking sites with trails, tour roads, scenic byways, and other connections developing and establishing watertrails comprising water routes and connections to sites and other land resources within the chesapeake BAY watershed and creating a network of sites and watertrails. The goal of this project is to uncover and share accurate and inclusive stories of the complex array of disenfranchised people who lived on bull run mountain, making lives for themselves against all odds on the mountain, and inspire a new generation of stewards of history and place through public outreach. The goals will be accomplished by focusing on objectives related to research, education outreach, and career-building, including: 1) researching the lives and legacies of target families 2) compiling oral histories of descendant family members so that we can fill in the gaps in our bull run story 3) conducting field studies of focal points in the bull run mountains preserve 4) engaging students from the prince william county public schools for nature-based educational events like trout releases and bioblitzes 4) offering public engagement opportunities such as guided hikes and 5) establishing an internship partnership with virginia department of historic resources. Beneficiaries include the general public.