QLF is the principal partner in the National Park Service Stewardship Institute. The Institute helps NPS leaders move the organization in new directions through collaboration and engagement; leadership for change; and research and evaluation.
Funding Authorities Study
National Park staff face many bureaucratic obstacles to funding work through partnerships, both in accepting philanthropic donations and in support partners like the Quebec-Labrador Foundation. QLF helped the Stewardship Institute with an initial study of the partnership authorities of other Federal entities such as the Smithsonian Institution, National Gallery of Art, and Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Currently under internal review, that study may lead to further assistance to lower barriers and educate staff about little known authorities they already have.
Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network
Since 2019, QLF and the Institute have been pivotal in helping the NPS and its partners develop and implement a strategic plan aimed at revitalizing and expanding the Chesapeake Bay Gateways Network.
This 20-year-old network connects diverse sites, including natural, cultural, historical, and recreational areas, trails, museums, parks, refuges and interpretive centers, all dedicated to preserving and promoting the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. These sites act as gateways, offering visitors and residents opportunities to explore, learn, and contribute to conservation of the Chesapeake Bay.
The strategic plan sets out an ambitious, five-year vision to broaden efforts beyond Chesapeake Bay to the larger watershed. It aims to engage and serve a diverse range of communities, including historically underserved populations, by offering more inclusive experiences and telling the full story of the region’s history.
