Chesapeake Gateways Places Self-Nomination Instructions

Membership is granted to places or partners that meet the defining characteristics listed below. Membership entitles Chesapeake Gateways Places certain benefits enumerated through a general agreement. Membership in Chesapeake Gateways is not required to seek other NPS Chesapeake Gateways financial assistance (grants and cooperative agreements) or technical assistance.

Defining Characteristics

There are five place type designations currently available to self-nominate, please select the most appropriate type for your place as this is the basis for the information needed in your self-nomination. All nominations must have a focus on places to which people are directed to access, experience, enjoy, learn about and contribute to a particular Chesapeake-related natural, cultural, historical or recreational resource and its role in the overall Chesapeake story. 

Some visitor amenities including lodging, restaurants, and retail locations may or may not qualify as Chesapeake Gateways Places. While these place types are not explicitly excluded, nominations need to fully explain how they meet the defining characteristics of being primarily focused on recreation, conservation, education, or interpretation.

Nominate a Place

Any organization may complete the Chesapeake Gateways Places Self-Nomination Questionnaire to nominate their place (site, trail, water trail, byway, and heritage area) to be considered for inclusion in the Chesapeake Gateways Network. However, the organization submitting the questionnaire must be the managing organization for the place. One questionnaire should be completed for each place proposed to join the Chesapeake Gateways Network.

A word version of the questionnaire can be downloaded by clicking here, however, please keep in mind all nominations must be submitted via the Microsoft Form link above.

Several variations of the Chesapeake Gateways Places wordmarks.
Submit Places Self-Nomination

Does your organization own or manage a place that helps visitors connect to the Chesapeake Bay watershed?

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Watch the Launch Video

Recording of the January 23, 2024 launch of the refreshed Chesapeake Gateways Visitor Experience Network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions

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

Last updated: August 19, 2025