Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program October 2019 | Volume I, Issue 8

Brown bear and cubs go for a swim at Katmai National Park & Preserve, National Park Service photo

Conservation and Outdoor Recreation  Community Assistance

Working to conserve rivers, watersheds and natural lands has become increasingly complex - requiring a great deal of collaboration and an understanding of ecological systems. The National Park Service, through its  Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance  program, supports community-led conservation projects locally and on a large landscape scale. These efforts involve working with many partners to plan for and develop networks of natural lands and waters, increasing access to recreational areas and protecting wildlife corridors.   In this newsletter learn about such efforts and how communities along the Naugatuck River Valley collaborated in a successful river corridor restoration and how Bozeman, Montana, residents restored their urban creek and fisheries. Stephan Nofield, National Program Manager Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program stephan_nofield@nps.gov 

Bozeman Creek flowing through Bogert Park, photo courtesy of Nishkian & Associates

Restoration of an Urban Creek, Park and its Fisheries in Bozeman, Montana

Flowing through the heart of downtown Bozeman, Montana, Bozeman Creek had been narrowed, straightened and its riparian vegetation was reduced to a thin line. Guided by an agreed upon strategy, the City of Bozeman and the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program, along with other partners, worked together to restore the creek to its original health. Through community engagement, Bogert Park is now a source of pride and outdoor recreation.   Read more 

The Derby Greenway, National Park Service photo

Naugatuck River Greenway Restoration Inspires Hope Eleven Connecticut communities have joined together in support of developing a large landscape greenway along the Naugatuck River. With momentum generated from project assistance provided by the National Park Service in 2012, leaders in the Naugatuck River Valley continue to plan and construct sections of the greenway to enhance fisheries, wildlife corridors, outdoor recreation and economic opportunities throughout the region. Read more 

Trail building in Anchorage, Alaska, National Park Service photo

Conservation Visions Spark Local Action National Park Service staff across the country collaborate with communities to protect and steward resources in support of a range of ecological, economic, historical, cultural and recreational goals. In this poster, learn how the National Park Service - Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance program assisted three communities across the country in achieving their conservation visions. Learn More 

This Month's Toolkit Mitigate impacts from a changing climate through incorporating green infrastructure in your conservation and outdoor recreation projects! The Green Infrastructure in Parks: A Guide to Collaboration, Funding and Community Engagement toolkit by the Environmental Protection Agency can help you understand and incorporate green infrastructure, maintenance practices and innovative park designs into your projects.   

By the Numbers: Conservation

Land managed for conservation by the federal government.  (Congressional Research Service)

Removed annually by the existence of 100 trees .  (US Forest Service)

Conserved by local communities with support from the National Park Service - River, Trails and Conservation Assistance program. (National Park Service)

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