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32 COMMON GROUND VOL. 14 NO . 3 DULY—SEPTEMBER 2003 IF IF B ® - Chesapeake Americans can aid the Chesapeake Bay for environmental education, reasons to im- and honor an early explorer John Smith— prove water quality and the means to build Bay National by recommending creation of the first a constituency far beyond the Bay . Increas- National Water Trail . As president of the ing the trail network will help fulfill the Water Trail Chesapeake Bay Foundation, I have joined goals of the Chesapeake 2000 Agreement, Pat Noonan, chairman of The Conservation the interstate compact to protect the Bay . Fund, and Gil Grosvenor, chairman of the It has been said that the Bay " cradled National Geographic Society, to embrace the our new nation. " Before Captain John Smith trail in a new national effort to protect our arrived , the Chesapeake was a passage for largest estuary . commerce for Native Americans . The Bay' s The National Park Service is seeking cultural, historical and natural resources comment and holding meetings this summer are unmatched . Its wetlands draw tens of on its Chesapeake Bay Special Resource thousands of waterfowl . The charts of the Study . Adding a water trail would augment 200-mile-long Bay produced by Smith' s ex- study alternatives by linking the agency ' s peditions almost 400 years ago changed the 100 Gateway Communities with cultural, way Europeans thought about the New historic and recreational destinations . World . In four years, the 400th anniversary Water trails, or blueways, are like of Smith' s first trip and Jamestown' s settle- greenways on land . These corridors for ex- ment will provide a national focus on the z achievements, the Chesapeake . r- IF ploration attract kayakers, canoeists and explorer' sFit achl p is published quarterly as a small boat sailors . They link together a chain Bay and its resources . service to the conservation of opportunities that benefit people, wildlife Involving communities, nonprofits, community by and local economies in a cost-efficient way public agencies, landowners and businesses, The Conservation Fund that promotes low-impact visitation. the trail can create a model of public-private Patrick F. Noonan More than 16 million people live within partnerships that shows how to care for Chairman a A. Selzer 15 minutes of the Bay or its tributaries . But America ' s special places in the 21st century. President few are involved in protecting the Chesa- A Chesapeake Bay National Water Trail Mike McQueen peake . Increasing the Bay' s constituency can become a standard for other water trails Editor through education, recreation, participation nationwide . It will deliver the message that Jack Lynn IF and new partnerships is a key to its future . saving this great national treasure should be Editorial Consultant Meg West The Chesapeake is America' s most pro- a priority for all Americans . We are deter- Art Director ductive estuary . Yet, as our organizations mined to make it a reality. The time is right. For address corrections and " State of the Bay " report documents, the —William Baker information, contact: Chesapeake ' s water quality must be im- The author is president of the Chesapeake Bay April Berry proved to ensure its productivity and Foundation . Circulation Manager increase its value for outdoor recreation . [For more on the Water Trail, visit conserva- The Conservation Fund 1800 N. Kent St., Suite 1120 The water trail would tie together exist- tionfund . org. See chesapeakestudy . org to Arlington, VA =09 ing water trails on the Bay' s rivers . In foster- support the Trail, or mail to NPS, 410 Severn 703 / 525-6300 ing use by families , students and young Ave . , Suite 109 , Annapolis MD 21403, or fax COMMON GROUND routinely voyagers, the trails could serve as vehicles 410 / 267-5777 . The deadline : Aug . 29 . 1 grants permission for reprints . Address editorial correspondence and reprint queries to: IF COMMON GROUND 940 Stillwater Lane Earlysville, VA 22936 ' ay ' IFIF + lit � STATE IF , . 434 /973-6329 �Fri coground®adelphia.net & zf + Parks vi1i'IF BUDGET COMMON GROUND is available Wildlife - on the World Wide Web at Dept . ^ ^� www .conservationfund.org IIF I IF ClF ' u °Printed on recycled paper. 0 I IF ,: Forestry News = Ills MILLIONS OF ACRES UP F m O GRABS „ FIT � IFF IF Icytil ill d u 'How much per square foot?"