C&O Canal Trust Inc

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 over 700 volunteers in fy24 for the 17th year of the canal community days program. These volunteers donated over $300,000 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 had 40 volunteer quartermasters in fy24.

Community outreach and engagement:1) the c&o canal trust connects with local communities to identify priorities and engage their support in key park initiatives. The canal towns partnership provides regional economic development and community enhancement on behalf of 11 communities along the canal, reaping the benefits of trail-based tourism and recreation. In fy24, 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 $55,962 in fy24 to fund technical assistance to support the park's multi-year towpath resurfacing campaign.3) in fy24, our community outreach and canal for all programs focused on engaging a broad range of audiences throughout the park for recreational, volunteer, and educational opportunities. Community outreach initiatives welcomed over 1,000 youth and adults to locations throughout the c&o canal for experiential learning, fostering a shared responsibility for protecting, preserving, and restoring this national treasure.