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A note to researchers George Washington, self-taught scientist George Washington was, in a sense, a self taught scientist. He understood the art of viewing his world and documenting what he saw through prolific writings and surveys. It was his prudence which recognized the effects of bad farming practices as the cause of erosion, the loss of valuable and fertile top soil. Site Description George Washington Birthplace National Monument lies on the Northern Neck of rural Virginia and shares boundaries with tidal portions of the Potomac River, Pope's Creek Estuary - a candidate for the National Marine Estuary designation, and other historic lands. The traditional land use of the area has remained unchanged in character for 300 years. The birthplace is the nation's only such national park site in this ecosystem. Today, Pope's Creek, the marshes and swamps, ponds, the upland environment, and the geology present a unique and unspoiled eye into the past and perhaps a baseline for the future. This small, yet significant national park entity, can offer the modern researcher a unique site to conduct research and look into questions of science much like George Washington did 250 years prior. What Researchers Have Said Past researchers have come to appreciate the relative pristine nature of many of the park's resources. Foresters say the park's forest resources are a unique assemblage of loblolly pine and willow oak. Researches from the United States Geological Survey, Water Resources Division, have come to compare the sediments of Pope's Creek with others in the Chesapeake Bay area and have found some of the most healthy conditions anywhere in the entire drainage. Some Ideas for Research There are many questions to be answered to assist the NPS in maintaining and enhancing the natural resources of this national park site. There are many potential research projects which unversities, scientific institutions, and other organizations can participate to reach educational goals and contribute to the ovrall health of the unique ecosystem. Can Pope's Creek estuary become a source or model for Potmac River and Chesapeake Bay restoration efforts? What are the potential effects of a large metropolitan area such as Washington, D.C. upon this ecosystem? How could exotic fauna and flora affect this area? Could forests and grasslands be reclaimed to become a model for Mid-Atlantic ecosystem restoration efforts? With the absence of old growth forests to compare to, what should mature coastal forests look like. Can the alarming rates of erosion along the Potomac be slowed or even stopped to save significant archaelogical and natural resources? The potentials for research are unlimited. Many National Parks have organized supported research which have had great success in contributing to the knowledge of the environment, natural processes, species diversity, and ecosystem management. Support The National Park Service, George Washington Birthplace National Monument invites you to become a participant in researching both educational and research/scientific goals and assisting us to obtain resources management goals by conducting meaningful research, inventories, monitoring, and good science. Contribute to the nation's ecological and environmental health and understanding by considering Goerge Washington Birthplace National Monument as a potential research site. The park service can provide limited support by providing some in-kind services such as lodging, transportation, and personal assistance on an as available basis. Park based funding is also limited at this time. Funding The NPS would welcome financial assistance from contributing persons or institutions through grants, gifts, and endowments to support projects and achieve the needed research. Permits and Correspondence Most researchers would be required to have a permit. Permit information can be obtained and an application submitted by visiting www.nps.gov/permits. Before you go through the process, give us a call to see if your project would: 1) Be compatibable with NPS goals 2) Need a permit 3) Not already have been done whereby you could untilize the research findings. Please contact Natural Resources Manger at (804) 224-1732. Correspondence may also be mailed to: George Washington Birthplace National Monument, attention Natural Resources Manager, 1732 Pope's Creek Road, Colonial Beach, Virginia, 22443 or send e-mail to rijk_morawe@nps.gov. |