Olympic Peninsula Human Ecology Mapping Project

Transcription

1 Olympic Peninsula Human Ecology Mapping Project A project partnering the US Forest Service, Pacific NW Research Station and the Institute for Culture and Ecology. For information contact Lee Cerveny at lcerveny@fs.fed.us Activities & Values: Mapping the Human Landscape Mapping Favorite Activities Activities Density Map Workshop participants were asked to identify 3 to 5 places where they engage in their favorite outdoor activities The map above compiles all the data for the ACTIVITIES MAPPING exercise and shows the density of these locations. The darker colors indicate popular areas of high use. Hurricane Ridge, the Buckhorn Wilderness Area and Hood Canal were particularly favorite places for many different kinds of activities. The pie chart to the right shows the breakdown of activity types for all the data. Recreation activities, such as hiking and boating, constitute the vast majority of activities in and around the peninsula. Fishing and foraging were also common. Information such as this will help agencies responsible for managing the public lands make better decisions about where to target resources, services and other amenities. What is the Human Ecology Mapping Project? The Human Ecology Mapping Project focuses on the entire Olympic Peninsula region (Washington) and seeks to identify the diverse connections people have to the land. This includes places where activities occur and places that have special meaning. The information collected is analyzed using geospatial tools (e.g. GIS) and may be combined with other data about the region. Resource managers and area planners can use this data to better understand human attachments to and uses of the land to guide land management decisions. In 2010, a total of 89 Olympic Peninsula residents participated in community mapping workshops held in six communities (Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Quilcene, Hoodsport, Shelton and Aberdeen). Additional workshops are planned in Percent Distribution of Activity Types N=826

2 Mapping Landscape Values In the LANDSCAPE VALUES mapping activity, workshop participants were asked to locate places that had particular meaning for them and why. The map to the right is a density map of valued places for all the workshop responses. The map indicates that these valued places concentrate in well-known areas such as Hurricane Ridge, Buckhorn, the Enchanted Valley and Staircase. Many different kinds of landscape values are represented. The pie chart shows the breakdown of all the responses by primary value category. Recreation and the aesthetics of the land (natural beauty) were most frequently indicated by the workshop participants. However, home, heritage, economic value and environmental quality were also important. This information helps resource and land management agencies identify areas that have special meaning. They can then develop informed plans that consider the values attached to these treasured places. Piechart Legend Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types N=442 Landscape Values Density Map Maps and Data The Human Ecology Mapping Project offers land managers and area planners valuable human-centered spatial information. In addition to density maps that target areas of high value or intense use, land managers can look at maps that show specific activities or values. Areas of special importance (such as heritage sites) or places that may have multiple activity use (hunting and gathering for example) can then be identified and steps taken to address special needs or concerns. The Project s regional approach also helps to identify places where cross-jurisdictional cooperation may be beneficial. To see more maps and charts as they become available or to find out more about the Project, see the contact information below. Landscape Value Types Description Recreation - outdoor activity (hike, camp) Wilderness - wild, untrampled place Aesthetic - scenery, natural beauty Social - gathering with friends & family Home - live here Intrinsic - like knowing it s there Heritage - history & culture Future - keep for future generations Economic - provides income or job Subsistence - provides food, shelter Environmental Quality - air, water, habitat Health - physical & mental health Spiritual - sacred, religious site Learning - learning & teaching about nature Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org) Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( )

3 Human Ecology Mapping Project ABERDEEN/HOQUIAM Community Profile The contiguous cities of Aberdeen (pop. 16,896) and Hoquiam (pop. 8,726) are located 50 miles west of Olympia in Grays Harbor County. Both cities overlook Grays Harbor, a large estuary that serves as Washington s only deep water port. Aberdeen and Hoquiam serve as the economic center for the central Washington coast and as the southern Gateway to the Olympic Peninsula for millions of tourists every year. Lake Quinault and the Quinault Rainforest are located 43 miles to the north. The Quinault Indian Reservation occupies the northwestern corner of Grays Harbor County, stretching from Lake Quinault to the Pacific Ocean. The higher elevation forests to the northeast are managed by the Olympic National Park and the Olympic National Forest. Grays Harbor County ranks high among Washington s counties in the volume of timber, shellfish, and fish harvested. However, the county s economy is diversifying, with employment growth in tourism, renewable energy (biofuel production and wave, wind, and tidal energy), retail trade, and health and social services. Activities Map (Aberdeen/Hoquiam Workshop) Percent Distribution of Activity Types (Aberdeen/Hoquiam Workshop) n=86 Activities Mapping The Activities Map shows the results for the Aberdeen/Hoquiam workshop, which included 8 residents of the area. Participants were asked to describe their favorite outdoor activities and identify 3 to 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula where they do each activity. The map displays the combined results for the workshop. Locations of favorite activities tend to concentrate in the Quinault River watershed, along the Pacific Coast, and in and around Aberdeen and Hoquiam. In addition, participants also identified the southern end of the Hood Canal and South Puget Sound as important sites for outdoor activities. The Activities Pie Chart breaks down the activities by category. Responses were grouped into five categories: recreation, hunting and fishing, livelihood (e.g., logging), foraging and collecting, and education, science and monitoring. Recreation activities constitute the majority (87%) of activity sites identified, followed by hunting and fishing (5%).

4 Landscape Values Map (Aberdeen/Hoquiam Workshop) Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types (Aberdeen/Hoquiam Workshop) n=50 Landscape Values Mapping In a separate exercise, Aberdeen/Hoquiam workshop participants located 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula that held special meaning for them. These valued landscapes overlapped somewhat with areas of use. Places selected included the Pacific Coast from Copalis Beach to Sand Point, the Hoquiam, Wishkah, Wynoochee, and Satsop River watersheds, the Capitol State Forest, Hurricane Ridge, and the Staircase area in the Olympic National Park. The Landscape Values Pie Chart was created from 14 pre-identified values that participants assigned to each of the places they chose. Recreation (32%), social (22%), and aesthetic or scenic beauty (18%) values were the most commonly selected, followed by home (12%) and economic (6%) values. Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( ) Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org)

5 Human Ecology Mapping Project HOODSPORT Community Profile Nestled between the southeastern flanks of the Olympic Mountains and the southern tip of Hood Canal, the tiny community of Hoodsport (pop. 376) is linked to both the forest and the sea. This former logging and commercial fishing community is situated on a narrow strip of privately held land that borders on state land to the north, the Olympic National Forest to the west, and the Skokomish Indian reservation to the south. Tourism, real estate, retail trade, and health and social services are now the mainstays of Hoodsport s economy. Two popular scuba diving spots, Octopus Hole and Sund Rock, are located nearby. The abundant shellfish in the Lower Skokomish River estuary attract both commercial and recreational harvesters. Boaters, swimmers, and hikers frequent Lake Cushman on the North Fork of the Skokomish River. Many tourists enter the Olympic National Park through the Staircase entrance at the western end of the lake. Activities Map (Hoodsport Workshop) Percent Distribution of Activity Types (Hoodsport Workshop) Activities Mapping n=134 The Activities Map shows the results for the Hoodsport workshop, which included 17 area residents. Workshop participants were asked to describe their favorite outdoor activities and identify 3 to 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula where they do each activity. The map displays the combined results for the workshop. Locations of favorite activities concentrate in the South Hood Canal and the watersheds that feed into it, as well as the western portion of the Kitsap Peninsula near Tahuya. In addition, activity concentrated near the Buckhorn Wilderness area, Staircase, the South Fork of the Skokomish River, Sol Duc Hot Springs, and the northwest Pacific coast. The Activities Pie Chart breaks down the activities by category for Hoodsport area workshop participants. We grouped responses into five categories: recreation, hunting and fishing, livelihood (e.g., logging), foraging and collecting, and education, science and monitoring. Recreation activities constitute the majority (69%) of activity sites identified, followed by hunting/fishing (15%) and foraging/collecting (7%).

6 Landscape Values Map (Hoodsport Workshop) Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types (Hoodsport Workshop) n=81 Landscape Values Mapping In a separate exercise, Hoodsport workshop participants located 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula that had particular meaning for them. These valued landscapes overlapped somewhat with areas of use. Notable areas were the Buckhorn Wilderness, Brothers Wilderness, Staircase area, Enchanted Valley, Sol Duc Hot Springs, and the beaches near Lake Ozette. Areas closer to home included Green Mountain and the Tahuya area on the Kitsap Peninsula. Areas along the southern Hood Canal were heavily visited, but areas identified as meaningful were more widely dispersed throughout the Olympic Peninsula. The Landscape Values Pie Chart was created from 14 pre-identified values that participants assigned to each of the places they chose. More than half (54%) of the places identified were valued for their recreation benefits. Other values noted included heritage (8%), aesthetic or scenic beauty (7%) and subsistence (6%). Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( ) Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org)

7 Human Ecology Mapping Project PORT ANGELES Community Profile Overlooking the Strait of San Juan de Fuca, the city of Port Angeles (pop. 19,038) is the economic hub of Clallam County (pop. 71,404) and the gateway to Olympic Peninsula s west side rain forests and rocky coastal beaches. The Olympic Mountains rise steeply to the south of Port Angeles, offering a supply of forest products and recreational opportunities. The wood products and fishing industries drove Port Angeles economy through much of the 20th century. Port Angeles still has a large pulp mill and several seafood processors, but both logging and fishing have declined over the past two decades. Tourism, shipping, retail trade, arts, entertainment, and health and social services all now contribute significantly to the area s diversified economy. The Olympic National Park has its headquarters in Port Angeles. Hurricane Ridge, one of the Park s most heavily visited sites, is a17-mile drive from the city. With the only downhill ski area on the Olympic Peninsula, Hurricane Ridge attracts visitors year-round. Activities Map (Port Angeles Workshop) Percent Distribution of Activity Types (Port Angeles Workshop) Activities Mapping n=164 The Activities Map shows the results for the Port Angeles workshop, which included 19 area residents. Workshop participants were asked to describe their favorite outdoor activities and identify 3 to 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula where they do each activity. The map displays the combined results for the workshop. Locations of favorite activities concentrate in the North Olympic region, especially Hurricane Ridge, Bear Valley, Sol Duc Hot Springs, the Buckhorn Wilderness area, and beaches along the San Juan de Fuca. In addition, Port Angeles residents visited areas near Lake Ozette. The Activities Pie Chart breaks down the activities by category. We grouped responses into five categories: recreation, hunting and fishing, livelihood (e.g., logging), foraging and collecting, and education, science and monitoring. Recreation activities constitute the majority (83%) of activity sites identified, followed by education (10%) and livelihood activities (logging, grazing, farming) (5%).

8 Landscape Values Map (Port Angeles Workshop) Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types (Port Angeles Workshop) n=91 Landscape Values Mapping In a separate exercise, Port Angeles participants located 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula that had special meaning for them. Thse valued landscapes overlapped significantly with areas of use, including Hurricane Ridge, Buckhorn Wilderness, Sol Duc Hot Springs, and North Olympic beaches. One additional area noted by participants was Kalaloch, located on the Pacific coast. The Landscape Values Pie Chart was created from 14 pre-identified values that participants assigned to each of the places they chose. Aesthetic or scenic beauty (25%) and recreation (22%) were the most commonly selected values, followed by economic (11%), maintaining environmental quality (11%) and heritage (8%) values. Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( ) Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org)

9 Human Ecology Mapping Project PORT TOWNSEND Community Profile Port Townsend (pop. 9,113) overlooks Admiralty Inlet at the entrance to Puget Sound, occupying a strategic position on one of the world s busiest shipping lanes. It is the county seat and economic center of Jefferson County (pop. 29,872). Port Townsend s dry, maritime climate makes it a popular vacation and retirement destination. The city of Port Townsend was founded in 1851 and quickly became a prosperous seaport. During the 20th century, a paper mill and three military forts employed many residents. Tourism, retail trade, arts and entertainment, and health and social services are now Port Townsend s economic mainstays. Port Townsend is listed as a Victorian Seaport on the National Register of Historic places; it also is home to more than 15 art galleries and the Northwest School of Wooden Boatbuilding. The city hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including numerous sailing regattas, Wooden Boat Festival, the Port Townsend Acoustic Blues Festival, and the Port Townsend Writer s Conference. Activities Map (Port Townsend Workshop) Percent Distribution of Activity Types (Port Townsend Workshop) Activities Mapping n=153 The Activities Map shows the results for the Port Townsend area workshop, which included 18 residents of Port Townsend, Port Hadlock, and Chimacum. Workshop participants were asked to describe their favorite outdoor activities and identify 3 to 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula where they do each of those activities. The map displays the combined results. Locations of favorite activities tend to concentrate in the Quimper Peninsula near Port Townsend as well as the north end of Hood Canal. In addition, residents visited the Buckhorn Wilderness, Hurricane Ridge, and beaches near Salt Creek. The Activities Pie Chart breaks down the activities by category for Port Townsend workshop participants. We grouped responses into five categories: recreation, hunting and fishing, livelihood (e.g., logging), foraging and collecting, and education, science and monitoring. Recreation activities constitute the majority (75%) of activity sites identified, followed by livelihood activities (10%) and foraging/ collecting (9%).

10 Landscape Values Map (Port Townsend Workshop) Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types (Port Townsend Workshop) Landscape Values Mapping n=84 In a separate exercise, Port Townsend workshop participants located 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula that had special meaning for them. These valued landscapes overlapped somewhat with areas of use, but were more widely distributed throughout the Olympic Peninsula, covering vast areas of the Olympic National Park, as well as Buckhorn Wilderness, Hurricane Ridge, Sol Duc Hot Springs Lake Cushman, and the Pacific beaches near LaPush. The Landscape Values Pie Chart was created from 14 pre-identified values that participants assigned to each of the places they chose. Aesthetic or scenic beauty (26%) was the most common value selected, followed by recreation (16%), home (13%) and wilderness (7%) values. Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( ) Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org)

11 Human Ecology Mapping Project QUILCENE/BRINNON Community Profile Known as the Emerald Towns of the Hood Canal, Quilcene (pop. 591) and Brinnon (pop. 803) offer easy access to the Olympic Mountains and the productive waters of Hood Canal. Trails along the Duckabush River south of Brinnon take visitors into the Brothers Wilderness, while the Big Quilcene River trail west of Quilcene is a popular route into the Buckhorn Wilderness. The Dosewallips River road, which begins in Brinnon, used to provide easy access to Olympic National Park. However, the road washed out in 2002 and is slated for repairs. Logging, fishing, aquaculture, and tourism were the economic mainstays during most of the 20th century. Tourism and aquaculture remain important economic activities, but many residents now commute to jobs in nearby towns. The world s largest oyster hatchery is located in Quilcene Bay and provides shellfish larvae and seed to customers around the globe. Quilcene Bay, Dabob Bay and the Dosewallips estuary also offer an abundance of shrimp, oysters, clams, and crab for subsistence and commercial shellfish gatherers. Activities Map (Quilcene/Brinnon Workshop) Percent Distribution of Activity Types (Quilcene/Brinnon Workshop) Activities Mapping n=104 The Activities Map shows the results for the Quilcene/Brinnon workshop, which included 10 residents from Quilcene and Brinnon. Workshop participants were asked to describe their favorite outdoor activities and identify 3 to 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula where they do each activity. The map displays the combined results for the workshop. Locations of favorite activities tend to concentrate in the Hood Canal and the watersheds that feed into it. In addition, activity concentrated in the Buckhorn Wilderness and Brothers Wilderness as well as areas near Staircase, the South Fork of the Skokomish River, Hurricane Ridge, and the northwest Pacific coast beaches. The Activities Pie Chart breaks down the activities by category for Quilcene and Brinnon workshop participants. We grouped responses into five categories: recreation, hunting and fishing, livelihood (e.g., logging), foraging and collecting, and education, science and monitoring. Recreation activities constitute the majority (78%) of activity sites identified, followed by hunting and fishing (13%) and education (5%).

12 Landscape Values Map (Quilcene/Brinnon Workshop) Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types (Quilcene/Brinnon Workshop) n=50 Landscape Values Mapping In a separate exercise, Quilcene/Brinnon participants located five places on the Olympic Peninsula that had special meaning for them. These valued landscapes overlapped somewhat with areas of use, but expanded further into the Olympic National Park. Notable areas were the Buckhorn Wilderness, Brothers Wilderness, Staircase, Enchanted Valley, Olympic National Park, and the beaches and Native American reservations on the Pacific Coast. Areas closer to home included Duckabush and Dosewallips River watersheds and northern Hood Canal. The Landscape Values Pie Chart was created from 14 pre-identified values that participants assigned to each of the places they chose. Heritage (16%), recreation (14%), aesthetic or scenic beauty (14%), and spiritual (12%) made up over half the responses. Economic value (10%), home (8%), subsistence (6%) and health (6%) were also important. Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( ) Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org)

13 Human Ecology Mapping Project SHELTON Community Profile Located 22 miles north of Olympia, the historic logging town of Shelton (9,834) is the southern gateway to the Olympic Mountains. Shelton is the county seat and economic center of Mason County (pop. 60,699). The Hammersley Inlet links Shelton to the rich salmon fishing and shellfishing grounds of South Puget Sound. Hood Canal s equally productive waters are less than a 30-minute drive to the north. The relatively flat terrain to the west and south is prime tree-growing country. The high peaks northwest of Shelton fall within the Olympic National Park; their lower flanks are located in the Olympic National Forest. The Tahuya State Forest to the northeast provides timber and floral greens and is a popular destination for ATV riders. Although the wood products industry continues to employ hundreds of Shelton residents, the nearby Squaxin Island Nation s casino and state prison are now the area s largest employers. Other important economic sectors include aquaculture, tourism, and health and social services. Activities Map (Shelton Workshop) Percent Distribution of Activity Types (Shelton Workshop) n=185 Activities Mapping The Activities Map shows the results for the Shelton workshop, which included 17 area residents. Workshop participants were asked to describe their favorite outdoor activities and identify 3 to 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula where they do each activity. The map displays the combined results. Locations of favorite activities tend to concentrate in the Shelton area close to home, as well as the southern Hood Canal and the watersheds that feed into it (e.g., Dosewallips, Duckabush, Skokomish) and Lake Cushman. In addition, activity concentrated in the Buckhorn Wilderness, Brothers Wilderness, and the Staircase area. The Activities Pie Chart breaks down the activities by category for Shelton area workshop participants. We grouped responses into five categories: recreation, hunting and fishing, livelihood (e.g., logging), foraging and collecting, and education, science and monitoring. Recreation activities constitute the majority (78%) of activity sites identified, followed by hunting and fishing (17%) and foraging/collecting (5%).

14 Landscape Values Map (Shelton Workshop) Percent Distribution of Landscape Value Types (Shelton Workshop) n=86 Landscape Values Mapping In a separate exercise, Shelton participants located 5 places on the Olympic Peninsula that held special meaning for them. These valued landscapes overlapped somewhat with areas of use, but were more widely distributed throughout the Olympic Peninsula. Notable areas were the Buckhorn Wilderness, Hurricane Ridge, Brothers Wilderness, Staircase area, the Skokomish River Valley, and the Pacific beaches, as well as Shelton itself. The Landscape Values Pie Chart was created from 14 pre-identified values that participants assigned to each of the places they chose. Recreation (28%) and aesthetic or scenic beauty (22%) were the most commonly listed values, followed by home (9%) and spiritual (8%) values. Lee Cerveny, USFS Pacific NW Research Station lcerveny@fs.fed.us ( ) Portland, OR (ifcae@ifcae.org)