Celebrating Impact in 2024
The C&O Canal Trust had another successful year of programming and engagement throughout the C&O Canal National Historical Park (NHP). As the Park’s official nonprofit partner, the Trust is committed to providing robust support along the entire 184.5-miles of towpath and adjoining trails. From Georgetown in the District of Columbia to Cumberland, Maryland, the Trust welcomed nearly 5,000 individuals to the Park for stewardship, educational, and recreational programs.
In 2024, volunteers contributed a record-breaking 7,000+ hours of service to ensure our Park remains beautiful, safe, and welcoming. In total, volunteers collectively removed over 20,000 pounds of trash and invasive or overgrown vegetation, and refurbished over 200 structures in the Park. Over 700 volunteers, including 12 corporate partner groups, contributed over $300,000 of in-kind support to the Park throughout the year.
The Trust’s Canal For All program partnered with community organizations to host 24 programs this year. This program welcomed a diverse group of youth and adults for educational hikes, crafts, and service in the Park. The Trust also hosted 10 public community engagement events this year, including a guided hike through Paw Paw Tunnel, a native plant walk at Rileys Lock, interpretive lockhouse tours, and more.
We are honored to share our progress this year in protecting, preserving, and restoring our local national Park. Our impact highlights what the C&O Canal means to us all, reflects the transformative power of community engagement, and celebrates the work we have accomplished together to protect and preserve its legacy.
Georgetown
PeaceJam American University joined us for two Canal for All programs. The Trust welcomed Deloitte and Beveridge & Diamond for corporate clean-ups. Anesa Parker, Deloitte Principal, remarked, "We're so proud to be here today... knowing that the Canal Trust is stewarding this beautiful space so that so many of us can enjoy it is really special."
Fletchers Cove
The Trust led clean-ups with Red5 Security, Deloitte, and The Cohen Group. The Trust also joined the C&O Canal NHP for their annual Fishing Fiesta to celebrate the art of fishing with the community.
Carderock
Outdoor Afro, Student Leaders Program of Georgetown University, and Girls Who Hike NoVA joined us for Canal For All programs. The Landon School and Anheuser-Busch also joined us for clean-up events.
Great Falls
The Trust led a public clean-up event as well as corporate events with Exelon and KPMG. TeenWorks and Girls Who Hike NoVA joined us for Canal For All programs.
Swains Lock
The Landon School joined us for stewardship and interpretive programs and Canal For All partner Community Bridges held their staff retreat at Swains Lockhouse with activities facilitated by the Trust.
Pennyfield
The World Bank and the Landon School joined us for clean-ups and tours of Lockhouse 22. The Trust also hosted a public open house in conjunction with Heritage Montgomery's Heritage Days at Pennyfield.
Riley's Lock
Community members joined us for a guided native plant hike and English ivy mitigation workday at Riley's Lock. Together, community volunteers girdled English ivy from 228 trees.
Monocacy Aqueduct
Corporate steward Salesforce joined the Trust for a day of service at Monocacy Aqueduct. The National Capital Area Council Scout Cleanup also visited the aqueduct for a clean-up.
Brunswick
The Trust held a public clean-up and an event with Scout Troop 1397 at Brunswick. 54 out of 62 of our volunteer Canal Stewards provide additional support in Brunswick and other areas in the eastern half of the Park.
Weverton
The Trust led six programs at Weverton this year, including clean-up days with Kite Pharmaceuticals and Anheuser-Busch and an interpretive program with Journey Through Hallowed Ground: Extreme Bike Camp.
Antietam
The Trust hosted a Chesapeake Conservation and Climate Corps Intern who restored a pollinator meadow at Antietam Creek Campground.
Williamsport
We welcomed the ARC of Washington County, Girls Inc., Upward Bound, and the Boys and Girls Club of the Eastern Panhandle for Canal For All Programs. We also held a public clean-up day at Cushwa Basin in Williamsport.
Four Locks
The Trust partnered with the West Virginia Association of Museums to provide a tour of Lockhouse 49. Lockhouse 49 is one of our seven rehabilitated lockhouses in the Canal Quarters program, which is supported by a committed group of 40+ volunteer Quartermasters.
Paw Paw Tunnel
The Trust led a guided hike at Paw Paw Tunnel highlighting the work the C&O Canal NHP has completed to stabilize the resources in the area and how to #RecreateResponsibly.
Cumberland
The Trust partnered with Maryland DNR’s STEM Like a Girl event in Cumberland. Participants dug their own canal through sand and made their own origami boats. In Park visitor centers like Cumberland, the Trust manages donation boxes for visitors to share their support.
The Canal Quarters interpretive program is a unique opportunity for visitors to the C&O Canal NHP to reserve their stay in history. Lockhouses are some of the most notable historic structures found along the canal, and at the height of the canal’s operation, these structures housed lockkeepers and their families. Seven lockhouses have been rehabilitated to date, welcoming an average of 3,000 visitors each year from across the country and international travelers. Each lockhouse has been rehabilitated and furnished to interpret a different time period, and each tells a unique story about the development of the C&O Canal. Annual revenue of over $150,000 supports the routine maintenance and preservation of these historic buildings.
In addition to in-kind and programmatic support, the Trust directly granted over $130,000 to the Park in 2024, raised through the generosity of individual donors and foundation support. These funds are used for a variety of initiatives including Canal Classrooms, Towpath Forever, and the conservation of Rare, Threatened, and Endangered Plant Species.
Thank you for being an essential part of our mission as we continue our commitment to stewardship, education, and community-building. Together, we are creating a lasting legacy of care for the C&O Canal and ensuring its preservation for years to come.
