From the Field
That's a Wrap: Chesapeake Roving Ranger Season Comes to a Close!
As of December 1, the 2018 Chesapeake Roving Ranger tour of the watershed has come to a close. Sporting a new look, the Ranger hit the road in June, visiting parks, events, festivals, and participating education programs.
This year we kicked off the season by introducing Michael and Stephanie as partnership staff to represent the Chesapeake Conservancy and National Park Service and to crew the Ranger. We welcomed nearly 3,500 visitors to our mobile visitor information center. The Ranger made appearances at 26 locations, featured at various festivals, and participated in dozens of education programs. In all, the ranger traveled 3,162 miles, that's the equivalent of driving the length of the Chesapeake Bay 16 times! Some highlights include Waterman's Appreciation Day, The National Folk Festival, Maryland Fleet Week and Airshow Baltimore, and Sultana's Downrigging Weekend.
So lends the question what is next for the Chesapeake Roving Ranger? Planning, lots of planning. As soon as one season of visiting parks and festivals ends, prepping the Ranger for another season begins. What can you look forward to next season? Perhaps a visit to a park near you as well as new education programs and more watershed related junior ranger programs including one specifically about the Chesapeake Bay!
Happy Trails,
FYC Team
See below to learn more about some of the places the Ranger visited this year!
Baltimore Visitor Center
A starting point for visitors, the center is the perfect way to discover and explore areas of the region's sites, history, events, accommodations, maritime activities, attractions and restaurants.
Baltimore, MD
Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum
Introducing visitors to the Bay story, and telling the Chesapeake's maritime history on the Eastern Shore. The museum houses examples of historic bay working boats, exhibits, guns, decoys, ship models and the 1879 Hooper Strait Lighthouse.
St. Michaels, MD
Chippokes Plantation State Park
Chippokes Plantation State Park is one of the oldest working farms in the United States. Chippokes is a living historical exhibit located in a rural agricultural area along the James River, directly opposite Jamestown Island and has a wide variety of traditional park offerings.
Surry, VA
Columbia Crossing River Trails Center
The Columbia Crossing River Trails Center is managed by Susquehanna Heritage. It is a gateway center for education and trailhead for river and land trails in the area as it is located right on the Susquehanna River.
Columbia, PA
Fort Monroe National Monument
Fort Monroe National Monument was a military installation in Hampton, Virginia on the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula. Within its 565 acres are 170 historic buildings and nearly 200 acres of natural resources on the Chesapeake Bay.
Fort Monroe, VA
Lake Anna State Park
Boating and fishing are the major attractions at Lake Anna, but the park also offers lakefront picnicking, swimming, wooded hiking trails, and seasonal interpretive programs on local history and nature.
Spotsylvania, VA
Mount Harmon Plantation
Mount Harmon Plantation is the northern most colonial plantation open to the public in the region, and is a historic and scenic treasure.
Earleville, MD
Sandy Point State Park
Spectacular views, diverse wildlife and fantastic beaches make this park a popular Chesapeake destination. The 786 acre park provides a variety of recreational opportunities such as swimming, fishing, crabbing, boating, and windsurfing.
Annapolis, MD
St. Clement’s Island Museum
The story of Maryland's beginnings is featured at this museum located along the Potomac. The Museum also provides group tours to St. Clement's Island, a state park accessible only by boat.
Colton's Point, MD
Sultana Education Foundation
The Sultana Education Foundation offers a diverse variety of history and science-based field programs serving students and teachers throughout Maryland and beyond.
Chestertown, MD
Westmoreland State Park
The park extends about one and a half miles along the Potomac River and offers hiking, camping, cabins, fishing, boating and swimming. Visitors can enjoy the park's vacation cabins as well as spectacular views of the Potomac.
Montross, VA
York River State Park
York River State Park offers visitors an opportunity to experience the environment of a coastal estuary. The park is known for its rare and delicate environment, where freshwater and saltwater meet.
Williamsburg, VA
Patrick Smith
Patrick is the Communications and Partnership Assistant working with both the Chesapeake Conservancy and the National Park Service Chesapeake Bay Office. Previously, Patrick worked for Pride of Baltimore II and Schooner Woodwind. He is a graduate of Saint Michael’s College and holds a Bachelor of Arts in History.
December 4, 2018
