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[ This assemblage of intact resources ] Provides outstanding opportunities to conserve natural , cultural , historic , and / or scenic features .
Pictured above : Hiking Acadia - Acadia National Park is an exemplary location to view the geomorphology of Downeast Maine and effects of the Laurentide Ice Sheet on the landscape . The depth of the granite bedrock layer is visible in the rounded granite bald mountains , and the force of the glacier is visible in the sheared cliffs and gigantic erratic boulders scattered throughout the forest .
Chapter 7 provides lists of opportunities to conserve natural , cultural , historic , and scenic features . Opportunities were identified by community members through surveys , community discussions , conversations at board meetings of regional partners , previous planning studies , and one-on-one interviews . These opportunities identify ways to build upon existing resources to expand capacity , strengthen partnerships , and generally create new and more opportunities to connect with and commemorate the people and places that make up Downeast Maine . These lists are in no way exhaustive and will grow as NHA planning continues . Opportunities listed in Chapter 7 , and those to follow , will inform the next phase of participation in the National Heritage Areas program – creation of a Management Plan to guide development and promotion of the Downeast Maine National Heritage Area .
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Great Wass Island Preserve - Great Wass Island Preserve , protected by The Nature Conservancy , projects farther out to sea than any other land mass in eastern Maine . Extreme conditions like constant wind , salt spray , harsh winter storms , and cool summers greatly influence the species types found here and creates unique ecosystems . Great Wass contains maritime slope bogs and raised bogs which are unique to this part of the state . The Preserve supports one of Maine ’ s largest stands of coastal jack pine , one which has evolved to successfully reproduce without the heat of fire typically required to open seed cones .