1. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Inspired and Shaped by Hundreds of Generations: National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail Office A presentation on conservation, landscape and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail [for a 2012 conference in Maryland]

2. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail 1968: study authorized in the National Trails System Act (NTSA) 1974: feasibility study completed 1983: Trail authorized as an amendment to the NTSA Pittsburgh Washington, DC

3. Trail network in Maryland: Designated Trail segments:  portion of the Great Allegheny Passage  most of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Towpath  hiking route within Nanjemoy NRMA  bicycling route between Point Lookout SP & Oxon Hill Farm Potential Trail segments in Maryland:  hiking route between Point Lookout SP & Piscataway Park  Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail in Garrett County (connecting to the GAP in Penn.) Related Trails in the National Trails System:  Captain John Smith Chesapeake NHT  Star Spangled Banner NHT  Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route NHT  Potomac River Water Trail, a National Recreation Trail  other national recreation trails

4. What plan?

6. Legislation… Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin Clean Water Act Clean Water Act “Potomac National River” “Potomac National River” Piscataway Park/The Accokeek Foundation Piscataway Park/The Accokeek Foundation Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Chesapeake and Ohio Canal bald eagles bald eagles American Heritage River American Heritage River Chesapeake Bay Chesapeake Bay E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

7. Ian McHarg, Potomac River Basin Study in Design with Nature Ian McHarg, Potomac River Basin Study in Design with Nature Frederick Gutheim, The Potomac Frederick Gutheim, The Potomac The Accokeek Foundation, Potomac River Heritage Project The Accokeek Foundation, Potomac River Heritage Project Potomac River Greenways Coalition: Potomac River Greenways: A Shared Agenda Potomac River Greenways Coalition: Potomac River Greenways: A Shared Agenda Karen Zachary, Landscapes of the Potomac Karen Zachary, Landscapes of the Potomac E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A Studies…

9. Interpretive Themes: The Trail is a national meeting ground of ideas and practices, reflecting a desire for the conservation of lands and waters, for educational opportunities combined with outdoor recreation, and for a celebration of regional diversity and distinctiveness.  Natural History and Diversity: Between the Chesapeake Bay and the Allegheny Highlands, the Trail corridor includes portions of five distinct physiographic regions; each, in different ways has inspired and shaped hundreds of human generations.  Boundary, Corridor and Crossroads: As a boundary between north and south and an east to west route into the North American interior, the Potomac River has been a crossroads of opportunity, diversity, and conflict.  Nation-Building / Nurturing A Nation: Routes connecting the Potomac River with the Forks of the Ohio provided an essential context for the development of the United States. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A

10. Outdoor Recreation Heritage Tourism Promotion EducationTransportation Conservation Why invest in the Trail network?

11. E X P E R I E N C E Y O U R A M E R I C A More information: Donald E. Briggs, Superintendent Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail National Park Service don_briggs@nps.gov 304-535-4016