Down East, Ocracoke, and Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project
Down East, Ocracoke, and Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project
The Down East, Ocracoke, and Hatteras Island Asset Mapping Project will engage the communities located within the Outer Banks Scenic Byway in identifying cultural and natural assets, creating a database of information to support those communities in transforming and sustaining the region’s natural resource-based traditional industries into 2020 and beyond.
The Mapping Project is a community-based initiative funded under a NC Rural Economic Development Center (http://www.ncruralcenter.org/) innovative economic development grant awarded the Core Sound Waterfowl Museum and Heritage Center (http://www.coresound.com/). The primary goal of the grant is to catalyze job retention, supplemental income generation and small business development in natural resource-based and asset-based sectors, especially the commercial fishing and emerging eco-/heritage tourism industries, in villages located along the Outer Banks Scenic Byway. Duke University also provided funding for the Mapping Project.
The Outer Banks Scenic Byway (http://www.outerbanksscenicbyway.org/) originates in Dare County at Whalebone Junction and stretches south to the North River in the Carteret County community of Bettie. The national scenic byway designation is based on community culture, sense of place, maritime traditions, natural landscape, pristine beaches, historic sites, and unique travel experiences.<
What is an Asset:
In the context of the Mapping Project, an asset has a direct connection to the cultural and natural environment of Down East, Ocracoke, or Hatteras Island. The connection can be revealed in different ways. A store might offer locally produced items, or a restaurant might feature local seafood prepared in a traditional way. A business might have a powerful connection to the history of the area, or its employees might have personal stories shaped by the natural environment or cultural heritage of the area. A new building might feature traditional, Outer Banks style architecture, or other features, like a windmill or cistern, rooted in techniques used by past generations on the Outer Banks.
An asset map is one way to tell our collective story, to share what makes our communities special places, and to help preserve the sense of place that has supported our communities for generations.<
Examples of Assets:
Cultural:
General Community Services: libraries, fire departments, schools, law enforcement, post offices, government buildings, community centers, ferries, etc. (current)
Historic Buildings: homes, businesses, churches, lighthouses, life-saving stations, etc. (current, but over 50 yrs. old)
Historic Boats: (current, but over 50 yrs. old)
Historic Event Sites: where something happened (past)
Historic Landmarks: mail boat landings, shipwrecks, old ferry docks, wharves, fish camps, fish houses, stores, theaters, music halls, schools, post offices, jails, baby hospitals, etc. (past)
Historic Place Names: (past, names that identified locations)
Celebrations or Tours or Events or Programs: (past or current)
Cemeteries, Churches, Museums, Organizations, Harbors, etc.: (current)
People: (current, individuals with a strong connection to cultural or natural resources of the area, such as a local botanist, net-maker, weather logbook keeper, boat builder)
Businesses: (current, includes for-profit and non-profits) commercial fishing boats, charter-boats and headboats, fish houses, marinas, seafood markets, fishing and hunting guide services, kayaking, surfing, windsports, tackle and bait shops, fishing piers, fishing equipment suppliers, birdwatching, arts and crafts, boat builders, restaurants, motels and hotels and B&Bs, grocery stores, gardens and nurseries, farmers’ markets, farms, wildlife rehabilitation centers, etc.
Natural:
Vistas, water access points, trails, preserves, pathways, community or public gardens, etc.
Mapping Process: A general framework will guide the mapping process. The framework will be flexible enough to address the specific characteristics, needs, and/or interests of each community within the three regions (Down East, Ocracoke, and Hatteras) of the project.
Each region will have a core group that leads the process. The size and composition of each core group can vary. Carla Norwood, (researcher, Nicholas School for the Environment) will serve as the primary resource to help the core groups design a process appropriate for their region.
Community members will identify assets. Carla Norwood will be responsible for organizing and recording the initial data collected.
Mapping System: The GreenMap system will be used (www.greenmap.org). The project will use the “Open” GreenMap system initially, but could transition to using a “Local” system with unique icons and descriptions later.
Mapping Method: Community members will locate cultural and natural assets on large maps that include road names and major landmarks, and will fill out an information sheet for each asset they identify. Core group mapping leaders in each community will recruit project support from individuals, organizations, or institutions, and determine how to best engage community members (dedicated mapping events, mapping in conjunction with other events, one-on-one interviews, etc.). Carla Norwood will generate maps based on input from mapping leaders.
Information Sheets: Every identified asset will be supported with an Information Sheet that includes:
- Name (of business, event, site, etc.)
- Physical Address (911 address)
- Mailing Address (if applicable)
- Telephone Number (if applicable)
- Mailing Address (if applicable)
- Website/Email (if applicable)
- Description: WHAT (details and services) WHY (story or history that connects this to the cultural and/or natural heritage)
Timeline:
August - September 2010: agree on timeline, roles, responsiblites, identify mapping "leaders" in each community; develop mapping protocols
September 2010 - March 2011: communities map assets
June 2011: initial maps completed
Stewardship and Ownership: The Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center will be responsible for stewardship and ownership of the asset maps created by the Down East, Ocracoke and Hatteras communities until June 30, 2012.
Advisory Committee: An advisory committee consisting of the core group mapping leaders from each region (Down East, Ocracoke, Hatteras Island) will work with Core Sound Waterfowl Museum & Heritage Center to address stewardship and ownership issues, and to develop a long-term strategy for map stewardship and ownership. The committee also will investigate interactive, online mapping policies.