Chesapeake Gateways Communities Self-Nomination Instructions

Chesapeake Gateways Communities are where a combination of geography, location, transportation systems, economic uses, and services that welcome people within the watershed. They provide a host of opportunities for people to experience multi-faceted Chesapeake resources and stories, and they encourage further exploration.

Joining the Network

Membership is granted to communities that meet the defining characteristics listed in the Chesapeake Gateways Network Framework and entitles Chesapeake Gateways Communities to certain benefits enumerated through a general agreement.

Self-nomination Process

Prior to starting the self-nomination process, communities are encouraged to gather your stakeholders and supporters of the designation, read the Chesapeake Gateways Network Framework, and follow the instructions below. Communities that need technical assistance to meet the designation requirements can explore the Chesapeake Gateways Communities Initiative.

Step 1: Submit Your Self-nomination

Nominations may be submitted by any organization authorized to represent the community; however, you’ll need to identify who will sign the general agreement to complete the self-nomination form. The signatory of the general agreement must be the most appropriate governmental authority covering the geographic area identified as the community (i.e. a nominated city/town should have a mayor, council chairperson, or city manager as the signatory, whereas an unincorporated community may need their county chairperson or county manager to serve as the signatory.) For more information about this requirement, please reach out to NPS Chesapeake Gateways staff.

The self-nomination consists of 40 questions, the answers to these questions provide NPS Chesapeake Gateways with context regarding how the community meets the defining characteristics mentioned above. A word version of the questionnaire can be downloaded by clicking here, however, please keep in mind all nominations that must be submitted via this Microsoft Form.

Step 2: Initial Review

Prior to conducting the comprehensive review, an initial review will be performed to determine whether (1) the nominating organization is recognized by the community as eligible to nominate on their behalf; (2) the information required by the self-nomination questionnaire has been submitted; and (3) all mandatory requirements are satisfied.

Step 3: Comprehensive Review

All self-nominations that satisfactorily pass the initial review will be eligible for comprehensive review in accordance with the Evaluation Criteria and Rating Scale below. This review will be a thorough, consistent, and objective examination of self-nominations by NPS staff. Each self-nomination will receive a numerical score between 0-30 as well as written strengths and weaknesses.

Review Criteria

Criterion 1: Relationship to the Chesapeake

This section assesses how clearly the community presents itself as a significant entry point into the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Strong responses will articulate how the community serves as a destination and starting point for exploring other Chesapeake Gateways Places or Experiences, with clear connections to cultural, historical, natural, and recreational activities rooted in the Chesapeake region.

• Clearly defines the community’s role as a major entry point to the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

• Describes the destination appeal and ability to orient visitors to multiple Chesapeake Gateways Places.

• Demonstrates thematic or physical connections to the broader Chesapeake.

• Emphasizes broad appeal and accessibility to locals and visitors.

• Highlights cultural, historical, natural, and recreational contributions to the Chesapeake region.

Criterion 2: Assets and Amenities Related to the Chesapeake Gateways Network

Reviewers will evaluate the extent and relevance of Chesapeake Gateways Places, Experiences, and public access points located in or near the community. High-scoring nominations will demonstrate a strong presence of diverse and authentic assets that align with key themes of the watershed and offer meaningful public access and engagement opportunities.

• Comprehensive inventory of designated Chesapeake Gateways Places and Experiences within or adjacent to the community.

• Identifies public access sites, such as trails, parks, or water access points.

• Reflects a variety of site types (e.g., historical, natural, cultural).

• Shows active relationships with the managers of these places (e.g., formal agreements, collaboration, or joint programming).

Criterion 3: Programming and Interpretation

This section examines how the community connects visitors with the stories and themes of the Chesapeake Bay through programs, interpretation, and events. Reviewers should look for examples that show active efforts to educate, engage, and inspire stewardship, particularly through partnerships and outreach to local and visiting audiences.

• Identifies two or more principal interpretive themes from the [Chesapeake Gateways Framework].

• Provides clear examples of how visitors experience these themes through programs, events, exhibits, etc.

• Demonstrates connection to authentic and iconic watershed experiences.

• Emphasizes public engagement, education, and stewardship including partnerships or collaboration with local organizations or sites.

Criterion 4: Visitor Services

Reviewers will consider the quality and accessibility of visitor infrastructure, orientation experiences, and tourism support. Strong responses describe how the community welcomes visitors, tracks visitation, and plans for sustainable tourism that enhances the local economy while preserving Chesapeake resources.

• Provides meaningful visitor statistics or metrics.

• Describes a strong, coordinated visitor orientation experience (e.g., visitor center, signage, welcome kiosks).

• Demonstrates investment in welcoming infrastructure and services.

• Shows awareness of and support for responsible tourism and sustainability.

• Reflects coordination with local tourism organizations and broader Chesapeake tourism initiatives.

Criterion 5: Marketing and Communications

This section evaluates how effectively the community promotes itself and its Chesapeake-related experiences through branding, digital and print media, and visitor engagement tools. High scores will reflect coordinated messaging, strong visual identity, and an active role in regional tourism communication efforts.

• Demonstrates a cohesive branding or identity as a visitor destination.

• Describes the use of multimedia tools (websites, calendars, brochures, signage, social media).

• Includes examples of how the community promotes Chesapeake Gateways Places within/nearby.

• Shows active visitor engagement strategies and storytelling tied to watershed themes.

• Demonstrates alignment with local and regional tourism promotion efforts.

Criterion 6: Commitment and Capacity

This section measures the community’s readiness and long-term dedication to supporting the goals of the Chesapeake Gateways Network. Reviewers should look for evidence of local leadership, collaboration with economic and conservation partners, and actions already taken to protect and promote Chesapeake resources—along with a clear plan for maintaining the designation.

• Demonstrates a strong, ongoing commitment to Chesapeake values—stewardship, sustainability, and heritage.

• Describes relationships with economic development and tourism organizations.

• Highlights actions taken toward conservation, preservation, and public access (e.g., easements, zoning, workforce programs).

• Provides evidence of community support and stakeholder advocacy for the designation.

• Identifies capacity to maintain the designation, including leadership, planning, and partnerships.

Final Ratings

Each nomination will receive a final consensus rating which will be organized into three categories: Strong, Developing, and Emerging. Those in the Strong category will immediately proceed to Step 4. Those in the Developing category will be provided with feedback and given the opportunity to make improvements to move to Step 4, without re-nominating the community. Finally, those in the Emerging category will be directed to the Chesapeake Gateways Community Initiative to begin action planning after which the community may be re-nominated.

Overall Review Points Available: Strong Category: 23 – 30 points; Developing Category: 15 – 22 points; Emerging Category: 0 – 14 points

Submit Community Self-Nomination

Step 4: Site Visit(s) & Community Meetings

Scheduled and held concurrently, site visits and community meetings are intended to validate information provided in self-nominations independent from the nominating organization.

Site Visit(s)

Nominated communities with a satisfactory final rating will receive an unannounced site visit by NPS staff, interns, or volunteers. Their task will be to explore a community from the perspective of a visitor using only the resources provided or referenced in the community’s self-nomination (i.e. if a website is referenced in the self-nomination, the individual will use that site for planning.) Unless there are significant differences between the information provided and the individual’s experience, site visits are intended as validation and feedback mechanisms.

Community Meetings

NPS Chesapeake Gateways will host at least one community meeting in nominated communities with a satisfactory final rating. The purpose of these meetings is to ensure that the community is provided with an opportunity to hear directly from NPS Chesapeake Gateways regarding the Chesapeake Gateways Community designation and address any misconceptions, misinformation, or rumors. Nominating organizations and other interested stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the planning and promotion of these meetings to demonstrate strong community support for the designation. Community meetings are intended to be informational and should not impact a community’s eligibility for designation, however significant community resistance to designation would require additional consideration.

Notifications

The Superintendent or designee will notify all nominating organizations on the results of their self-nominations. Successful nominations will receive a draft general agreement for review and signature. Unsuccessful nominations will be directed to additional resources that will benefit the community and are intended to support successful nominations in the future.

General Agreements

These agreements, formerly known as memorandums of understanding or agreement (MOU / MOA), provide communities with guidance on how to utilize the benefits of designation. The agreements also document the information provided by the nominating organization. Agreements do not oblige the community or nominating organization to do anything beyond what they’re already doing. No funding is associated with these agreements.

Questions

For additional information or clarification, please reach out to the Communications and Visitor Experience Branch, by email. Thank you for your interest in and partnership with Chesapeake Gateways.