Mission : Through a partnership system of parks, refuges, museums, historic sites and water trails spanning the watershed, the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network helps the American public access, enjoy, understand and appreciate the natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources and values of the Chesapeake and its rivers and engage in their stewardship.
Vision:  Imagine a network of linked natural, cultural, historical and recreational sites
throughout the Chesapeake Bay region. Think of visiting these places to learn
about the Bay's diverse stories, experience its history and enjoy its natural
beauty. You might travel from one site to another paddling a water trail, riding
on a ferry or driving a scenic tour route. Perhaps you would volunteer some time
helping restore a wetland or an historic site. You would easily find information
about Bay-related sites, stories, and adventures through a series of Bay Gateways.
In effect, this network would become your guide and your entry point to experiencing
and learning about the Chesapeake Bay.
This is the vision of the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network. The partnership
network of sites is evolving over time, adding sites, information and new routes
to explore the Bay region.
Helping people understand and appreciate the Chesapeake Bay through this network
of special places is more than just tourism. Every person who lives, works or
visits the region affects the Bay. Linking the places people value to an understanding
of the Bay as a system is an integral part of the effort to conserve and restore
the Bay's natural environment. Changing how people perceive the Bay by interpreting
its resources is a meaningful step toward creating a broader commitment to Bay
restoration and conservation. This is a fundamental aspect of the Gateways Network
vision.
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