{"id":11062,"date":"2022-06-21t05:42:45","date_gmt":"2022-06-21t05:42:45","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dpetrov.2create.studio\/planet\/wordpress\/with-book-in-hand-continuing-the-work-of-lovejoy-and-wilson-in-the-heart-of-dc\/"},"modified":"2022-06-21t05:42:45","modified_gmt":"2022-06-21t05:42:45","slug":"book-biodiversity-dc-canal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/\/www.getitdoneaz.com\/story\/book-biodiversity-dc-canal\/","title":{"rendered":"with book in hand: continuing the work of lovejoy and wilson in the heart of dc"},"content":{"rendered":"
\u201cunder new management. development plans to follow<\/em>.\u201d it was 1950, and the metropolitan washington, d.c., population was growing. consequently, these signs would have caused little surprise for this particular property composed of woodlands, wetlands, fishing banks, and vernal pools, all contained in what was planned to become a commuter parkway that would pass right through the heart of this wilderness. that was until someone called out, \u201ctake a little walk with me.\u201d and with that challenge, justice william o. douglas ignited a campaign that ended with what was formally called the chesapeake and ohio canal becoming a national park instead of a national highway in 1971.<\/p>\n
it is hard to believe there was a time when what was renamed as the c&o canal national historical park was unknown to me and not a part of my life. but once i reached it, there was simply no turning back. that very same place i had avoided because it seemed too far from home, now became a part of my life, requiring hours at a time for wandering the towpath, mountain trails, tunnels, across wetlands, and always taking field notes and pictures. having been a teacher meant that i was always wondering how to convey this sense of exploration and discovery to others, especially the coming generation that was losing its contact with the natural world.<\/p>\n