Services

The Hancock County Soil and Water District offers a variety of technical services aimed at helping landowners and community members better understand and manage their resources. 

As a service to the community, we offer general technical advice and information online and over the phone at no cost. 

Beyond this initial level of remote assistance, we offer a 1 hour on-site visit anywhere in Hancock County for $25. 

Further technical assistance,  as described below, is available at a rate of $65/hour. 

For further information, or to request an initial site visit please contact us at (207) 667-8663 or hcswcdinfo@hancockcountyswcd.org.

Technical Services

  • Mapping

    Surveys (Non-point Pollution, Water Quality, Invasive Species)

    Planning

  • Surveys

    Planning Erosion Control Best Management Practices

    Oversight of Erosion Control BMP Installation

  • Assessment Surveys

    Management/Maintenance Plans

    Erosion Control Recommendations

    Road Associations, Outreach and Development

  • Wildlife Habitat Assessments, Mapping and Planning

    Native Pollinator Habitat Assessments, and Planning

    ME Stream Smart Road-Stream Crossings

    Terrestrial and Aquatic Invasive Species Surveys and Planning

  • Information and Recommendations Regarding Erosion, Shoreline, Vegetation and other water and soil related issues

  • Local, state and federal permit application assistance for soil and water projects

  • Writing 319 Watershed, aquatic organism passage, and other soil and water related grant proposals

Programs

In addition to technical services, Hancock County SWCD also offers a variety of programs, studies, workshops, events, and field days.

  • Backyard Rewilding & Conservation Landscape Certification - Transform your backyard into a biodiverse habit for wildlife and native species. We provide a free site visit and follow up scoring until you reach the Masters Level of Conservation Landscaping. This program is funding through The Davis Foundation.

  • Shellfish Resiliency - We recently conducted a clam flat productivity in collaboration with the Downeast Institute, FBRSC clammers, and District volunteers.

  • Invasive Species Workshops - From brown tail moths to courtesy boat inspections, the District collaborates with area partners and volunteers to monitor invasives that affect our land and water ways.

  • Water Quality Monitoring - We coordinate with volunteers in the Biotoxin Monitoring Program with Maine DMR, and we’ve helped monitor brook trout streams for five years, providing important data for the EPA.

  • Free pH Soil Testing - We have a 24-hour drop box for soil samples, and you’ll get your results back in a few days, for free.

  • Equipment Loaning - The District lends out Oxygen testers, a lopper saw for brown tail moth removal or orchard pruning, and soil augurs for testing and soil profiles.

  • Volunteer Spring Cleanup - Each spring on Earth Day we participate in the annual Ellsworth Card Brook and Roadside Cleanup.

  • Workshops - Public workshops through the year might include an event around Forest invasives, a Blueberry Growers Field Day, a seed savers workshop, a migratory fish event, and more.

  • Sales - Each year we hold a Native Plant Sale, and a Trout Sale to help keep native species and healthy habitats alive and well in Maine.

  • Grant Writing - In 2025, we helped write a grant to help the 5 Town Dam Committee in Hancock County as they navigate the possible shutting down of 3 dams.

  • And much more!