Maine Nature Tourism Initiative

Interpretation and Visitor Services

Interpretative Thematic Framework for the Maine Nature Tourism Initiative

Bordering on Canada and the Atlantic Ocean, dotted with communities that are immediately adjacent to immense tracts of forests or the rugged seacoast, subject to extreme variations in weather and unrelenting winters, in more ways than one Maine and its residents live on the edge. These conditions make for sturdy character, inventive practices and a rich heritage. At the same time, these very same conditions have long made Maine attractive and exciting to a wide array of visitors. The challenge of engaging life without the easy comforts and amenities of modern civilization has for many years proven to be a magnet for people in search of adventure and immediate experience.

Ecologically, "an edge" has additional meanings. It is a place pulsating with life. Where meadow and woods meet, where land touches water, where one climatic zone intersects with another–all of which can be found in Maine--wildlife is diverse, abundant and active. Similarly, in cultural life there is parallel to this natural phenomenon. Where two cultures intersect–as in Maine where French-Canadian and Anglo-American cultures overlap–unexpected and unusual phenomena appear. Today, as in past generations, the diverse ways in which life on the edge can be explored and experienced in Maine offers a gamut of meanings and attractions. Living on the Edge is an abiding characteristic of the state in light of its rich nature, history and culture. MORE (304KB PDF)

Summary of Recommendations

Action 11: Write, design, fabricate, and install uniform interpretative signs for sites along itineraries that do not presently have any interpretative signage. Site specific stories should tie to overall thematic framework as recommended by FERMATA for Maine Nature Tourism initiative. Mounting to be on low profile pedestals at most sites and on three-sided kiosks to be fabricated and installed at gateway sites such as visitor centers.

The Office of Tourism and DOT are logical partners for obtaining funding and providing overall project direction including fabrication and installation assistance. DOC and IF&W staff have excellent skills in planning, writing, and design for interpretative signs; and should be involved in all aspects of planning and design. Members in the Western Maine Mountains Heritage Network have invested considerable time and effort in discussing interpretative themes and deployment actions. FERMATA’s recommended thematic framework (see below) draws upon this good work. Representatives from the Network interpretative planning effort should also be involved in the overall MNTI interpretative sign planning and design.

Design and materials for the signs need to be consistent with signage already in-place and designed by DOC; or planned and designed by scenic byways organizations in the Western Maine Mountains Region.

See proposed sample prepared by FERMATA designers to illustrate use of thematic framework and to tie with design elements utilized in the Kennebec-Chaudière Heritage Corridor interpretative signage.

The interpretative team may find it useful to develop a style guide for interpretation for distribution and use by all interpretative plan implementation partners (public and private. See example developed for Lake Champlain in VT, NY, and Quebec http://www.lcbp.org/wayside/Manual/Lo_Res_Manual.pdf

The Task Force or interpretative planning team (made up of agency representatives and others) needs to plan for and develop interpretation for specific sites along the itineraries such as state parks and for trails that will be incorporated into itineraries such as Ice Age Trail or Calais Branch Rail Trail. This site specific interpretation needs to match the style developed for waypoints; and utilize themes and stories that are consistent with the thematic framework for the entire project.

Action 12: Support efforts to create a network of interpreted visitor centers

Presently the numerous centers in the region and elsewhere serving the region (along the Interstate and other major highways) are not linked thematically. See map. These facilities should function as a seamless system for visitor information and education delivery. It may be necessary to develop a state-funded incentives program for getting centers to cooperate. The need for this action should be explored further by the Task Force and center managers or others.

Good local support exists in the two western regions for this concept and planning is underway. The Heritage Network is doing good work in promoting cooperation and communication among center projects across the mountain area. That group is discussing financing approaches, new information/communication technologies, and a proposed traveling exhibit designed to put forward regional themes and to demonstrate cooperation among the centers.

There is an excellent, but under-utilized resource and somewhat disjointed interpretative effort, at the new Downeast Heritage Center (DEHC). The DEHC could benefit from focused effort to develop effective interpretative programming and program support. It is expected that this center would function as the portal site for the new Downeast Wildlife and Heritage Trail itinerary. Therefore, there is a need to plan for this use and to redesign exhibits as appropriate to reflect key subthemes and storylines conveyed by the sites along the trail. The DEHC should be used to add meaning to visitors’ experiences and encourage them to explore the region.

Specific actions to be undertaken include:

• study need for incentives program to stimulate cooperative messaging;
• staff training on the overall Maine Woods Experience thematic framework messages and pilot region itineraries;
• creation and installation of consistent exhibitry to match site interpretation signage to encourage visitors to explore the Maine Woods via one or more of the itineraries;
• development and population of database system for near real time information sharing;
• detailed interpretative planning and redevelopment at the DEHC;
• consider the existing and proposed Maine Turnpike and Interstate system visitor information centers’ roles.

The Office of Tourism should take the lead on these efforts with support from Task Force or agency interpretative staff. Others to involve include the Maine Tourism Association, the Western Maine Mountains Heritage Network, scenic byways’ staff, and DEHC leadership and other visitor center managers/operators.

Action 13: Build one or more new multi-facet visitor and interpretative centers to serve as a gateway to The Maine Woods Experience.

A new center should be developed in partnership with local non-profits, members of the state’s forest products industry, and state agencies. Presently there are many proposals for developing new interpretative centers in all of the pilot regions including several that would be intended to function as the gateway to the entire Maine Woods Experience. Because no one center currently functions in this manner, it would be desirable from the visitor experience standpoint to have one center with this dedicated focus.

There is a need to establish a method by which rational decisions about where this investment should best be placed. The Task Force (and in particular DECD and DOT) needs to take the lead on creating on addressing the location decision question as well as consider what is best approach to linkage, what are minimum requirements for top quality visitor experience, how the center will be maintained and operated (most likely using a variety of local and state resources).

Of those centers under consideration, several include:

• Natural Resources Education Center (NREC) near Greenville where a private non-profit group is working with Piscataquis County EDC and the Town of Greenville. The mission of NREC is to "educate and inform people about the Moosehead region’s natural resources of the past, present, and future. NREC is the primary source that people rely on to understand the culture, natural history, and uses of the North Woods." The NREC steering committee is currently developing an operations plan and seeking construction funding for an environmental education center on land south of Greenville. It is recommended that if this facility were developed as the new gateway to the Maine Woods, it would need to serve a broader function than its current leadership envisions; and have more inclusive governance. Involve IF&W and DOC as possible building tenants; and to provide information to visitors on public lands facilities and recreational opportunities.

• The Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway is developing a plan to construct and operate an interpretative center in the Western Maine Mountains area. The exact location is still being discussed by the committee and others.

• Katahdin Discovery Center. "Working with the Maine Community Foundation, the Millinocket Area Growth and Investment Council (MAGIC) set up a community fund called the Katahdin Fund (KF). The KF partners envision a destination learning and visitor center within a few miles of I-95. The Katahdin Discovery Center would welcome the broadest cross-section of tourists, recreationists, school groups, and other with exhibition and screening areas highlighting the area’s rich natural and cultural history and attractions. Exhibits would serve to educate and inspire, as well as direct visitors to the many attractions that the greater Katahdin region offers. At the center of Maine’s North Woods and as the logical gateway to an area of stunning natural beauty, the center would provide information and assistance to those traveling in any direction."

• Visitor gateway center near Ellsworth. It is expected that this interpretative center would function to move visitors Downeast; and to DEW&HT and DHC portal site. This would allow visitors the opportunity to fine the authentic experiences they are seeking but may not find at Acadia NP. Consider relocating proposed DOT/NPS visitor center now proposed for Trenton to serve this function

Contact FERMATA project manager: Mary Jeanne Packer

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