Potential Scenic Sites Analysis for the Hill Country Conservancy Nancy A. Heger, ManagerGene Sipes, Assistant Manager Matt Broadaway, GIS AnalystMatt Gray, Web Master Image source:

What is “scenic” and why is it important? Inherent notion of what scenic is Inherent notion of what scenic is Agreement among viewers Agreement among viewers Socioeconomic groups Socioeconomic groups Regions Regions Age classes Age classes

What is “scenic” and why is it important? Steeper or greater relief Steeper or greater relief Water is present Water is present Diversity of vegetation Diversity of vegetation Edge effects Edge effects More natural (less developed) More natural (less developed) Visually complex Visually complex Some Cultural Modifications Some Cultural Modifications

What is “scenic” and why is it important? Cultural heritage Cultural heritage Scarcity Scarcity Image source: Enchanted_rock.jpg Image source: adest/parks/lyndon_b_johnson/

What is “scenic” and why is it important? More scenic is also more natural More scenic is also more natural Less developed Less developed Has conservation value Has conservation value

Introduction Conserving places of scenic value also conserves areas of natural or historical heritage. Conserving places of scenic value also conserves areas of natural or historical heritage. In line with the goals of the Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) - a non-profit group seeking to preserve parts of the Texas hill country. In line with the goals of the Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) - a non-profit group seeking to preserve parts of the Texas hill country. N.E.R.D.S. will use GIS to help HCC identify areas for future preservation. N.E.R.D.S. will use GIS to help HCC identify areas for future preservation.

Purpose Identify potential sites for future preservation by the Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) Identify potential sites for future preservation by the Hill Country Conservancy (HCC) Identify areas that are “scenic” as defined by factors such as topographical relief, proximity to water bodies, and vegetation. Identify areas that are “scenic” as defined by factors such as topographical relief, proximity to water bodies, and vegetation. Provide a map of potential scenic sites that HCC can use to identify areas for future preservation Provide a map of potential scenic sites that HCC can use to identify areas for future preservation

Scope Study region - 22 county area in Hill Country Study region - 22 county area in Hill Country Will take approximately 3 months (6 Sept. to 13 Dec.) Will take approximately 3 months (6 Sept. to 13 Dec.) Figure 1. Hill Country study area.

Data Layers and Sources LayerProjection/DatumSource 30 Meter DEMUTM Zone 15/ NAD 83U.S. Geological Survey Study RegionState Plane Texas Central FIPS 4203/ NAD 83 Hill Country Conservancy UrbanNo Projection/ NAD 83Texas Natural Resource Information Systems RoadsNo Projection/ NAD 83Texas Natural Resource Information Systems WaterNo Projection/NAD 27Texas Department of Transportation Historic Sites/State ParksNo Projection/ NAD 83Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Land UseUTM Zone 14/ NAD 83National Resource Conservation Service

30 Meter DEM Base Map for Analysis

Buffer From Roads The buffer of 3 to 5 miles will serve as areas viewable from the roads. Then all other criteria will be applied to the inside of the buffer for analysis. Image source:

Model Criteria Distance from streams Distance from streams Areas closest to streams preferred Areas closest to streams preferred Distance from State Parks/Historic Sites Distance from State Parks/Historic Sites Areas closest to State Parks preferred Areas closest to State Parks preferred Distance from unique natural feature e.g. Enchanted Rock Distance from unique natural feature e.g. Enchanted Rock Areas near these features preferred Areas near these features preferred Land Use Land Use Areas with preferred vegetation types Areas with preferred vegetation types Topographic Variation i.e. slope Topographic Variation i.e. slope Areas with more relief preferred Areas with more relief preferred

TIMETABLE Week 1 Week 2 Week 3 Week 4 Week 5 Week 6 Week 7 Week 8 Week 9 Week 10 Week 11 Week 12 Week 13 Date9/69/139/209/2710/410/1110/1810/2511/111/811/1511/2211/29 Data Collection Data Pre- processing Preliminary analysis using only one county Analysis of rest of counties Data interpretation Create website Prepare final deliverables

IMPORTANT DATES September 6- Receive Client RFP October 4- Proposal Presentation for Client October 27- Progress Report December 13- Final Presentation and Deliverables

FINAL DELIVERABLES Final deliverables will include: Final deliverables will include: A Detailed Final Report (2 copies) A Detailed Final Report (2 copies) Professional Poster for display in the Geography Department Professional Poster for display in the Geography Department Website Website CD (2 copies) containing CD (2 copies) containing All data All data Metadata Metadata Proposal, Progress, and Final reports Proposal, Progress, and Final reports Poster Poster Power Point presentation Power Point presentation Instructions on how to use CD (readme file) Instructions on how to use CD (readme file)

Uses & Implications Phase one in HCC’s plan to locate scenic areas. Phase one in HCC’s plan to locate scenic areas. Regional governments to promote tourism. Regional governments to promote tourism. Concerned groups to raise environmental awareness in the region. Concerned groups to raise environmental awareness in the region. Information for public use. Information for public use. Model created that can be used in other areas to determine scenic beauty. Model created that can be used in other areas to determine scenic beauty.

Conclusions Conclusions Layers created from collected data. Layers created from collected data. Maps showing the most likely places to find scenic places. Maps showing the most likely places to find scenic places. Model created that can be used in other areas to determine scenic beauty. Model created that can be used in other areas to determine scenic beauty.

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