Enhancing cultural tourism and economic growth through ecogourism, trail connectivity, bird watching, kayaking and heritage preservation in piscataway national park

The National Park Service (NPS) Northeast Region awarded a $100,000 Project Grant to Alice Ferguson Foundation, Inc. on September 20, 2025, under the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network program (CFDA 15.930). This award supports the enhancement of cultural tourism and economic growth in Piscataway National Park through integrated ecotourism and heritage preservation initiatives. The foundation will deliver a comprehensive set of products and services including trail connectivity improvements, bird watching opportunities, kayaking access and programming, and heritage preservation activities designed to connect visitors with the natural and cultural resources of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

The project is scheduled for completion by August 31, 2027, and will be performed in Maryland. As a tax-exempt nonprofit organization specializing in environmental education and watershed conservation, Alice Ferguson Foundation—which operates the Hard Bargain Farm Environmental Center—is well-positioned to implement these tourism and educational activities. This award aligns with the Chesapeake Bay Gateways program's priority of supporting water access infrastructure, interpretive programming, heritage tourism events, and community-based conservation initiatives that increase public engagement with the bay's natural and cultural heritage.