Volunteer Activity Suspension and Wildflower Walk

Hello Level Walkers,

Two notices from the park follow. Please note the suspension of volunteer activities on Saturday. When activities are suspended your volunteer service agreement is invalid for the time of the suspension and you are not authorized to perform volunteer work or protected in the event of injury. If ou choose to visit the park during that time you are doing so at your own risk.

Thanks for all you do – Steve

There is currently a high wind watch from Saturday 8am until Sunday 2am for portions of central & western Maryland and D.C. The forecast is calling for winds up to 65 mph. When the wind reaches 30 mph, volunteers are required to stand down. Therefore, outdoor volunteer operations for Saturday, April 1st are suspended.

Please keep an eye on the weather forecast on Saturday and plan accordingly. Volunteer operations may resume on Sunday, April 2^nd if wind speeds (including gusts) have fallen below 30 mph. If you have any questions, please contact your program coordinator.

Thank you and stay safe!

Sarah Brown, the park’s Biological Science Technician, is offering a wildflower hike for volunteers. Space is limited and you will need to sign-up. Here is the information –

VIP Speaker Series – Wildflower Hike at Ferry Hill

DATE: April 14, 2023

TIME: 10am – 12pm

LOCATION: Ferry Hill in Sharpsburg, MD

DESCRIPTION: A guided hike along the Ferry Hill trail and towpath with Sarah Brown to look for and learn about wildflowers and pollinators. Please wear appropriate hiking shoes and bring water. The Ferry Hill trail is not flat, so volunteers must be able to walk down hill and uphill. The hike will last approximately 2 hours.

TO SIGN-UP: This opportunity is limited to 15 volunteers, and you must sign-up to attend. Please email emily_hewitt@nps.gov noting your volunteer program and the area of the park where you volunteer.

DEADLINE: You must email by April 8th to sign-up.

C&O Canal NHP Status – 12 March 2022

Hello Level Walkers,

Weather is on the way and the NPS issued the following notification.

Thanks, Steve

Dear Volunteers,

With the wintry weather forecast, the volunteer program is suspended on Saturday, March 12. The park will be open to the public, but volunteers are not authorized to work in the park. This is to ensure your safety during the inclement weather event.

If you choose to visit the park on Saturday, you must do so as a private citizen. For updates on any park closures please check the park website or the park Facebook page. If you have any questions, please contact your park staff program coordinator.

Thank you and stay safe!

Christiana Hanson

Chief of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers

Wind Safety Advisory – 17-18 February

Level Walkers – the following safety advisory is provided by the park. Thanks, Steve

Dear Volunteers,

There is currently a wind advisory from 10pm tonight through 10am tomorrow (February 18) for Washington D.C. and the following counties: Montgomery County, Frederick County, and Washington County. The forecast is calling for winds up to 50 mph. When the wind reaches 30 mph, volunteers are required to stand down. Therefore, volunteer operations for Friday, February 18 are suspended through at least 10am or until wind speeds (including gusts) fall below 30 mph.

Please keep an eye on the weather forecast on Friday and plan accordingly. If you have any questions, please contact your park staff program coordinator. Thank you and stay safe!

Emily Durán Hewitt

C&O Canal NHP Weather Advisory 16 and 17 January

The NPS has issued the following advisory for volunteers.

Thanks, Steve

Dear Volunteers,
With the wintry weather forecast, the volunteer program is suspended on Sunday, January 16 and Monday, January 17. The park will be open to the public, but volunteers are not authorized to work in the park. This is to ensure your safety during the inclement weather event. All staff in the division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers will be teleworking and only emergency staff will be onsite.
If you choose to visit the park on Sunday and Monday, you must do so as a private citizen. For updates on any park closures please check the park website or the park Facebook page.

Thank you and stay safe!
Emily Durán Hewitt

C&O Canal Volunteer Status for February 18th

Hello Level Walkers,

Please observe the following guidance from the C&O Canal NHP volunteer manager.

Dear Volunteers,
The forecast is for more snow! With the wintry weather starting overnight, the volunteer program is suspended on Thursday, February 18. The park will be open to the public, but volunteers are not authorized to work in the park. This is to ensure your safety during the inclement weather event. All staff in the division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers will be teleworking and only emergency staff will be onsite.
If you choose to visit the park on Thursday, February 18 you must do so as a private citizen. For updates on park closures please check the park website or the park Facebook page.

Thank you and stay safe!

Emily Durán Hewitt

C&O Canal Update – February 10, 2021

Hello Level Walkers,

Here is an update from the park.

Thanks, Steve

Dear Volunteers,

There is a winter storm warning in our area through tomorrow morning. All volunteers should exercise caution if visiting the park tomorrow. If you plan to volunteer in the Great Falls area of the park, please note that the entrance road will be closed in the morning until staff can clear it. We will notify Palisades volunteers tomorrow when the entrance road reopens. You can also check the park Facebook page for updates.

Please note that the Presidents Day holiday is this coming Monday, February 15. Our 2021 C&O calendar has the wrong date of 2/22 listed for the holiday. Sorry for the confusion. We still have 2021 calendars available, so please let staff know if you would like one.

As you know this year is the 50th anniversary of the C&O Canal National Historical Park. In case you missed it, we released a new video celebrating the park – Chesapeake & Ohio Canal NHP 50th Anniversary. Stay tuned for more information on how to celebrate our 50th Anniversary with a series of #50for50″ challenges in 2021!

Thank you and stay safe!

Emily Durán Hewitt

Update – Volunteer Operations Due to Inclement Weather

Update on the park’s storm activity status, from the NPS. Thanks, Steve

Dear Volunteers,
We hope you have been enjoying this snow day and staying safe & warm! With the wintry weather continuing through the night, the volunteer program is suspended through Thursday, December 17. The park will be open to the public, but volunteers are not authorized to work in the park. This is to ensure your safety during the inclement weather event. All staff in the division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers will be teleworking and only emergency staff will be onsite.
As with today, if you choose to visit the park on Thursday, December 17 you must do so as a private citizen. Currently the Great Falls entrance road is closed due to snowy conditions. For updates on the closure please check the park website or the park Facebook page.

Thank you and stay safe!
Emily Durán Hewitt

Important park update – Snow day

All,

The following is an important message from the C&O Canal NHP Volunteer Manager.

Thanks, Steve

//BT

Dear Volunteers,
In anticipation of the winter storm that is forecast for Wednesday, December 16 the park is suspending volunteer operations. The park will be open to the public, but volunteers are not authorized to work in the park. This is to ensure your safety during the inclement weather event. All staff in the division of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers will be teleworking and only emergency staff will be onsite.
If you choose to visit the park during this weather event, you must do so as a private citizen. We will send another update tomorrow about the status of volunteer program operations for Thursday, December 17.
Thank you, stay well, and stay safe.
Emily Durán Hewitt

Image – Four Locks snow from Lock 49 House – Level 41