Trees and greenspace are a huge part of what we regard as scenic beauty. Study after study shows that communities near these scenic resources – even if it’s just a few trees, or a small parklet – boast better health for their residents, higher property values, and more thriving business districts. Unfortunately, the opposite also…

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 place-making…

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, Sen. Scott Sandall introduced SB61, allowing any billboard owner in Utah to upgrade their billboards to…

The 2021 Visual Resource Stewardship Conference is currently accepting abstracts for for technical papers, visual case studies, student posters, training workshops and panel/guided discussions. Abstracts should be between 1,000 and 2,000 words (including key references). Submissions are due March 1, 2021, and applicants will be notified of their acceptance by April 1, 2021. Abstracts should…

by Marge Davis, Scenic Tennessee When a tech-savvy loner detonated himself and his RV in the heart of Nashville’s thriving entertainment district on Christmas morning 2020, the devastation went far beyond the piles of bricks, blown-out trees, burned-out cars, mangled businesses, and condemned residential spaces left in his wake. Though no one else died or…

Well known for its stunning Gilded Age mansions and historic waterfront, the city of Newport, Rhode Island, boasts incredible examples of architecture and a well-documented public realm. Even with such a gloried past, however, the city today presents a mixed design picture. Its architectural landscape was significantly altered in the twentieth century as planners eschewed…

Byway leaders are always on the lookout for changes to their communities, and members of the Friends of A1A Scenic & Historic Coastal Byway are no different. With the removal of 10 billboards in Flagler County in the early 2000s, members of the 72-mile National Scenic Byway organization were thrilled to learn of the removal…

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…

Tucked in the northeast corner of Rhode Island between Providence and Boston, the town of Cumberland embraces its natural beauty and rich history. With its commitment to smart, responsible growth and design enhancements showcasing historic sites and municipal parklands, Cumberland prides itself in its place-making practices.   Cumberland contains three historically significant mill villages on the…