further ensure the protection of the system. Our research and analysis informed our preservation plan and interpretive schemes. We have outlined shortand long-term approaches, best-practice methods, and platforms to encourage preservationists and partner organizations to build upon this work. The following section attempts to frame the continuation of our work by making a variety of resources available. First, we have listed the “key players” and stakeholders involved in the future of the Croton Waterworks, with the hope of connecting all interested parties so that partnerships can form between stakeholders. The subsequent section provides information regarding funding sources, preservation initiatives, and strategies suited to the Waterworks. The next section outlines our online forums, including the Croton Waterworks website and the Croton Conversations online discussion page. These tools have illustrated the wide range of interest in the future of the Waterworks and will continue to engage interested parties. Lastly, our glossary serves as a synthesized collection of key terms for easy understanding of the extensive components of the Croton Waterworks system. This project has opened our eyes to the value of historic infrastructure and the importance of protecting and preserving systems such as the Croton Waterworks. Therefore, we would very much like to see the “Croton Conversation” kept open, and for further surveying and research to build upon our work, ultimately leading to the development of more comprehensive maintenance and interpretive plans for the system as a whole. System-Wide Partners NYC Department of Environmental Protection: The Department of Environmental Protection is a governmental agency that now oversees all aspects of the Croton waterworks, including maintenance, protection, conservation, and construction of new infrastructure (i.e., the Water Treatment Plant in Van Cortlandt Park) related to the regulation of the New York City water supply system. Prior to the formation of the DEP in 1978, numerous commissions and agencies had been formed as early as the 1830s that were focused on providing and regulating water for New York City: 1833: State Water Commission formed 1849: The State Water Commission was disbanded and the Croton Aqueduct Board established 1870: Department of Water Works supersedes the Croton Aqueduct Board 1883: New York City establishes the Board of Aqueduct Commissioners 1905: The Board of Water Supply was created by the state legislature 1978: Department of Environmental Protection established The DEP is also the main guardian of most of the archival material pertaining to the New York City Water supply and the Croton Waterworks. website: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/ home/home.shtml New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation (Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park): The segment of the Old Croton Aqueduct trailway located in the Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park is owned and managed by 98 the NYS Department of Parks and Recreation. The trail begins on the south side of the New Croton Dam, farthest from the spillway, and works its way down following the path the aqueduct took from the dam to New York City. The trail offers a scenic walk from Northern Westchester County to New York City. New York/New Jersey Trail Conference (Old Croton Aqueduct State Historic Park): The New York-New Jersey Trail Conference is a not-for-profit organization that has been partnering with parks since the 1920s to create, protect, and promote a network of over 1,700 miles of public hiking trails (including the various hiking trails that run along the Croton Waterworks) in the New York/New Jersey metropolitan area. website: http://www.nynjtc.org/park/ old-croton-aqueduct-state-historic-park Key Players Key Players Section 4: Conclusion Introduction Westchester-Area Partners Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct (Westchester): The Friends of the Old Croton Aqueduct is a private, not-for-profit, volunteer organization that was formed to protect and preserve the Old Croton Aqueduct and trail. The mission of the Friends is to act as the public voice of the Aqueduct and raise public awareness about the system, to serve as an information resource for those who want to learn more about the Aqueduct, and to secure resources that will aid in the preservation of the historic greenway for years to come. The Friends carry out their mission through various mediums, such as sponsored talks, guide-led walks on the trail, tours inside the Aqueduct tunnel in Ossining, and events such as Aquafest, a two-day festival 99 Rivertown Runners (Westchester): Rivertown Runners is an organization that organizes community running events for its members and other runners in the towns along the Hudson River. The main goal is to raise money to benefit local charities and to 100 Historic Hudson Valley (Westchester): Historic Hudson Valley is a not-for-profit, educational organization that celebrates the history, architecture, landscape, and material culture of the Hudson Valley through the preservation, restoration, interpretation, and promotion of various historic landmarks for public enjoyment. The Croton Waterworks and its various auxiliary components serve as a unique component of the Hudson Valley landscape, and is