 Places participating in the Gateways Network as designated Gateways benefit
from:
- inclusion in the Gateways website allowing visitors to search, explore
and contact the Network's Gateways online
- inclusion in printed Network maps and guides
- use of the Gateways logo and signage
- linking with other Network locations with similar geographic or thematic
characteristics
- being part of an integrated system for disseminating information to the
public
- having an easier way for visitors to plan trips to and find your special
Bay watershed place
- access to the "Tools for Gateways" section of the Gateways website
- eligibility for technical assistance and to compete for matching grants
for Network-related projects
Designated Gateways agree to foster development of the Network by:
- helping advance the goals of the Gateways Network: (a) enhancing place-based interpretation and education about the Bay and its related resources to increase public awareness and promote individual stewardship of the Chesapeake Bay region; (b) facilitating access to the Bay and related resources; and (c) fostering conservation and restoration of the Bay.
- working to interpret the resources and stories associated with their Gateway through programs, exhibits and materials which relate those resources to the Chesapeake Bay and relevant Gateways Network overarching, primary and sub-themes.
- operating their Gateway to provide appropriate public access for Bay-related natural, cultural, historical, recreational resources at the site, in accordance with sound resource management considerations and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The site shall be open to the public for the maximum number of days per week feasible, given seasonal visitation patterns and operational limitations, but must be publicly accessible at least four days per week, including at least one weekend day, during your high visitation season.
- displaying and maintaining the Gateways Network logo and signage in a prominent location at the site entry or primary visitor facilities.
- where appropriate, working to include the Gateways Network logo or graphics in brochures, maps, guides, interpretive exhibits or signage.
- providing descriptive information on the site's resources and themes for inclusion within the Gateways Network web site and establishing a link to the Gateways Network home page from the their Gateway 's web site.
- participating in physical or programmatic linkages with other existing or potential sites and routes in the Gateways Network that are geographically or thematically related.
- assisting in the marketing of other Gateways and the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network to visitors to their Gateway so as to assist their further explorations of Chesapeake Bay resources and stories. This will include distributing the Gateways Network Map and Guide and orienting visitors to the use of the Map and Guide, the availability of the Gateways web site, and opportunities to explore their interests at other Gateways .
- promoting and interpreting conservation stewardship of Bay-related natural and cultural resources.
- encouraging low-impact use of natural, cultural, historical and recreational resources associated with the site.
- working to manage the site in ways that improve watershed health through practices such as green building design & construction, environmentally sensitive design (ESD), low impact development (LID), and/or conservation landscaping to the maximum extent practicable.
- identifying and working to develop opportunities for involving volunteers in on-going resource restoration or conservation activities in order to build broader involvement in Bay conservation overall.
Designated Gateways enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the National
Park Service outlining mutual commitments to foster cohesive development of
the Gateways Network.
|
(52 kb) 
