Scenic Inventory – Hancock and Washington County

Volunteer Job Description

Study Purpose:

A comprehensive scenic inventory will be conducted in the summer of 2009 in Hancock and Washington counties. Several scenic inventories were conducted in the last 30 years for the Maine coast. The most comprehensive ones exist for the coast south of Penobscot Bay. However, inventories for Downeast Maine are limited and not in digital format.

By definition, scenic resources are public areas, features, and sites that are recognized, visited, and enjoyed by the general public for their inherent visual qualities. With this understanding, the scenic inventory methodology (Scenic Assessment Handbook, State Planning Office, October, 2008 available at www.maine.gov/spo/landuse is limited to scenic resources viewable from public places (e.g., roads, parks, scenic turnouts, coastal waterbodies, great ponds, public hiking trails, etc.). The method gives policy-makers and citizens a set of tools to achieve a higher level of precision to identify and evaluate scenic resources – using descriptive language, illustrative maps, and characteristic photographs.

The Maine State Planning Office’s scenic assessment methodology is based upon a professional approach that relies upon the judgment of individuals trained to evaluate factors that define scenic quality. The selected rating criteria have been demonstrated to be important through research based upon public perception studies of what constitutes a scenic landscape.

The assessment methodology involves a multi-step process involving both office and field evaluation. It is based upon an assessment of landforms, vegetation, water bodies, and cultural patterns that define the visible landscape throughout Maine.

Benefits to Volunteers:
Volunteers in this project will learn land perform visual assessment of scenic sites including how to use a GPS in the field and the way to capture a photographic record of the site. They will also enjoy extensive field work in settings that are, by definition, extraordinarily beautiful!

Roles of staff and team members:
Groups and professionals performing scenic inventories using the methodology should, as part of the inventory process, solicit opinions from the community-at-large. This input will help to verify the relative importance of various indicators, account for local sentiment, and gain public trust in the approach.

The evaluation team should be composed of individuals who a) possess a variety of writing, observation, and photography skills, b) are representative of the various parts of the community or land trust area, c) have a good grasp of the natural and cultural patterns of the region, d) are able to bring a sense of objectivity to the assignment.

A combination of professionals and volunteers provide the following assets:

• Working knowledge of scenic areas, access points, gateways, historic sites, and other physical features that may be easily overlooked.
• Experience with culturally significant areas (places of the heart) that may have considerable emotional meaning to the local population.
• Understanding of local land use policies, ordinances, and land conservation efforts.
• Minimal costs to achieve a base level understanding of scenic resources.

Volunteer Responsibilities:

• Assist with field identification and assessment of scenic areas in Washington and Hancock counties.
• Cooperate with project staff and interns in this assessment using the Scenic Assessment methodology provided by the State Planning Office.
• Participate in 2-3 person teams to complete field assessments of specific areas identified for further evaluation within a given geographic sub-region.
• Share existing inventories of scenic areas as identified in local and regional Comprehensive Plans and land trust strategic plans.
• Attend a one-day training on Scenic Assessment methodology.  

Volunteer Time Commitment: 5-7 days over the course of May to July, 2009 including one full day in late March – early April for training.

Learn more by visiting www.hcpcme.org/environment/view for Hancock County and www.wccog.net/scenic for Washington County.