House Passes Surface Transportation Bill with Funding for Byways and Support for Undergrounding and Gateway Communities Scenic America landed additional legislative wins this month as the surface transportation reauthorization bills moved through the House and Senate. Three out of our four strategic priorities are included in the final House bill, which passed the House of…

After no Brews for Views last year due to the pandemic, we are looking forward to having a bigger event than ever this year! We’re planning more beer, more food – and a special musical guest – so buy your tickets now! Find out more about our annual fundraiser, Brew for Views, including all the…

Scenic Michigan has released the second edition of its Michigan Sign Guidebook. Like the celebrated first edition published in 2011, the 2021 edition is designed as a go-to resource about local sign regulation as communities consider the legal defensibility of their existing sign regulations and make needed updates. Most sign ordinances currently in place in Michigan…

From Scenic Los Angeles President, Patrick Frank The largest concentration of digital billboards in Southern California is in the city of Inglewood, bordering Los Angeles International Airport. A local business known as Wow Media Co. owns and operates 14 boards along Century, Manchester, and La Cienega Blvds., several of which are also clearly visible from…

Making Cultural Headway in the Missouri Heartland Recognized as one of the nation’s top 10 college towns and one of the best places in the nation to live, Columbia, Missouri, is known for the small-town comforts, community spirit, and big-city culture that make it a prime example of placemaking excellence. Affectionately known as “CoMo,” Columbia…

The Scenic Ohio chapter has been active in their communities, working on scenic conservation projects. In collaboration with the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Rest Areas Landscape Design Manual emphasizes the use of native plantings to create “more parklike rest stops” and provides information for landscape architects and design teams to enable a new…

Scenic America has been tracking promising legislation in several states, including bills that protect scenic roadways and restrict outdoor advertising. In Oklahoma, state legislators recently passed Senate Bill 549, which strengthened rules that prevent the relocation or installation of outdoor advertising in communities. In Arkansas, legislators approved House Bill 1375, designating State Highway 5, known…

From Scenic Los Angeles President Patrick Frank Periodically we see something resembling art on billboards, when an arts organization takes over a set of billboards and replaces the usual ads with mock-ups of work by actual artists. Here in Los Angeles, for example, the local non-profit The Billboard Creative runs an annual month-long group exhibition…

Scenic America is excited to announce the launch of an exciting new way to learn about scenic conservation. In partnership with Project Green Schools and Agents of Discovery, we have created a free mobile app in which users will be able to play informative, engaging games called “missions” that will challenge them to think and…

Scenic America is now accepting applications for Summer 2021 internships in Communications and Development, and Policy, Advocacy, and Research.  Interns can work in-person in our Washington, D.C. office or virtually from their home or university. As a growing nonprofit, Scenic America provides its interns with hands-on, practical experience in communications, research, advocacy, fundraising, and other…

When Charles Floyd passed away on October 15, 2020, the scenic community lost one of its strongest and most passionate heroes, and Scenic America lost one of its founding members. A retired professor, Charlie dedicated the second half of his career to fighting billboard blight, authoring paper after paper decrying the ruthless tactics and questionable…

Southern Charm and Smart Design There’s a popular saying among residents of Oxford, Mississippi: “We get to live here.” It’s so popular, in fact, that it has become a hashtag that the town’s 25,000 residents share with pride on social media. And with good reason. Named after another university town—Oxford, England—the idyllic city is often…

The Historic Savannah Foundation (HSF) in Savannah, GA has honored a Scenic America board member, Ardis Wood, with the Women in Preservation Award. This award honors women working in preservation in Savannah as a part of Women’s History Month celebrations. HSF described Wood as a globe-trotter, a historic tour maven, and a community cornerstone. A…

Construction on the Inlet Beach Underpass in Walton County, Florida, has begun. Our Scenic Walton chapter has worked tirelessly over the last several years to coordinate the effort to make this important safety improvement happen. Walton County officials held an official groundbreaking ceremony for the underpass on March 26. According to the Florida Department of…

Scenic America made its way into the headlines in February and March following the announcement of the newest National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. Our dedication to and work in this area was highlighted in multiple news stories across the country. Read some of these stories below: Lonely Planet Travel + Leisure Conde Nast Traveler…

Scenic America is currently tracking bad billboard legislation in places such as Missouri, West Virginia, and Providence, Rhode Island. Missouri House Bill 1115 This legislation currently under consideration modifies the existing language of a statute related to outdoor advertising to the benefit of billboard companies. If passed, it would revoke the authority of a city…

New Designations Announced for the First Time since 2009 WASHINGTON, DC—Scenic America celebrates the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)’s announcement today of 34 National Scenic Byways and 15 All-American Roads, the first additions to the program since 2009. The new designees– ranging from Maine’s Katahdin Woods and Waters Scenic Byway to California’s Historic Route 66 Needles…

A Quirky Utopian Town Embraces its Past while Forging its Future Tucked away on the southwestern tip of Indiana on the banks of the Wabash River, the tiny town of New Harmony has evolved from an 1800s social experiment into a modern-day spiritual sanctuary and gathering place for scientists, spiritualists, artists, and scholars. Its placemaking…

Utah may be known for its majestic scenery and stunning landscapes, but if state legislators get their way, the Beehive State may soon be known for one of the most damaging billboard laws in the nation. On January 19, 2021, Sen. Scott Sandall introduced SB61, allowing any billboard owner in Utah to upgrade their billboards…

Congress Provides New Funding for the First Time in Nearly 10 Years Scenic America celebrates the inclusion of $16 million in funding for the National Scenic Byways Program in the omnibus spending package announced today by Congress—the first time in nine years that dedicated funds have been made available for this important program.  As part…

Scenic America is now accepting applications for Spring 2021 internships in Communications and Development, and Policy, Advocacy, and Research.  Interns can work in-person in our Washington, D.C. office or virtually from their home or university. As a growing nonprofit, Scenic America provides its interns with hands-on, practical experience in communications, research, advocacy, fundraising, and other…

Scenic America recently took an important step forward in its ongoing effort to secure funding for the National Scenic Byways Program. The Senate Appropriations Committee included $35 million for scenic byways in its appropriations bill for Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development (THUD), and related agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021.  You can find the appropriation here,…

With autumn in full swing, it’s the perfect time to hit the road for leaf-peeping and other activities in the great outdoors and along our National Scenic Byways. As the nation’s leading advocate for scenic conservation issues, Scenic America has put together this list of twelve of our favorite destinations that showcase autumn’s beauty. Arkansas:…

Scenic America has teamed up with a newly launched philanthropic production company to create a compelling collection of videos and stunning images that showcase the natural beauty of the nation, beginning with a video focusing on Walton County, Florida. These media assets will be featured in campaigns to attract additional supporters and donors to the…

We want to ask you to take urgent action on behalf of our scenic byways—and much more. Time is short, and the stakes are high. The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee just introduced the “INVEST in America Act,” H.R. 7095, which funds our country’s highways for the next five years and will…

This year Scenic America is a partner organization with the 2021 Visual Resource Stewardship Conference. The conference, hosted by the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry and Utah State University’s department of Landscape Architecture and Environmental Planning, aims to foster innovation and connections between academia, practice, NGOs, and government agencies who work to address…

Carving Out a Scenic Legacy in Florida and Beyond When Bill Jonson paid his first visit to his current hometown of Clearwater, Florida, he was immediately struck by the clutter along the highways that greeted his arrival. The Wisconsin native had just flown into Tampa to explore the possibility of relocating to central Florida to…

2021 Award Recognizes Work to Secure Funding for the National Scenic Byways Program Scenic America is proud to announce its selection as a “Power of A” Gold Award winner by the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE). The award recognizes Scenic America for its advocacy work, which delivered dedicated funding to the National Scenic Byways Program…

Recognized as the #1 Best College Town in America by Forbes, Oxford, Ohio, is brimming with new ideas and charm. Home to Miami University, the Village of Oxford was incorporated in 1830 when the population hit about 700, and in 1970 it became a full-fledged town after adopting a charter form of government.  Originally Oxford…

Scenic America is now accepting applications for Fall 2021 internships in Communications and Development, and Policy, Advocacy, and Research. Interns can work in-person in our Washington, D.C. office or virtually from their home or university. As a growing nonprofit organization, Scenic America provides interns with a hands-on, practical experience in communications, research, advocacy, fundraising, and…

Calling all photographers! Scenic America is in search of your best photographs that showcase what’s unique and beautiful about our nation and where you find beauty in your community. Our inaugural America the Beautiful Photo Contest kicks off on July 27, 2021. This is an opportunity for photographers of all levels to show off their best…

One of North New Jersey’s most highly-regarded towns balances nature and city adventure Rooted in Essex County, the town of Montclair was founded in 1868. As the railroad industry grew, Montclair evolved from a commuter stop on the way to New York City to a tourist destination of its own. Named after the French term…

With billboard battles heating up in communities across the country, Scenic America is lending its support to affiliates and activists as they face changes to signage codes and other intrusions. Scenic Houston is currently urging residents to speak out against a proposal to erect 50 new digital LED billboards along its freeways. If the proposal…