Scenic Texas

New Smart Phone App Allows Texans to Report Litterers

Amanda — Fri, 04 May 2012 19:37:04 +0000

This nifty new smart phone app makes it easy for Texans to record and report litterbugs. Check it out!

http://dontmesswithtexas.org/report-a-litterer/

Sen. Lamar Alexander receives Scenic America’s Stafford Award

Amanda — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:38:05 +0000

WASHINGTON — Senator Lamar Alexander of Tennessee received Scenic America’s highest honor, the Stafford Award, during its recent meeting of affiliates and Board of Directors in Washington, D.C.

Senator Alexander’s selection recognizes his longtime, outspoken support for America’s scenic and natural landscapes. An early advocate of sustainable tourism, Senator Alexander has sponsored legislation to protect scenic wilderness, spearheaded efforts to improve air quality in national parks (especially his beloved Smoky Mountains) and, as chairman of President Reagan’s Commission on Americans Outdoors in the late 1980s, recommended a national network of greenways and designated scenic byways.

During his two terms as chief executive of Tennessee (1979-1987), then-Governor Alexander introduced initiatives to limit tree-cutting and visual clutter along the state’s highways, declaring that “tourists come to Tennessee to see the scenery, not the billboards.” (Subsequent studies confirm that he was right: Beauty sells!)

More recently, Senator Alexander led the successful effort to block an amendment, tacked onto a defense appropriations bill, which would have allowed the rebuilding of nonconforming billboards destroyed by hurricanes. Invoking Lady Bird Johnson’s landmark 1965 Highway Beautification Act, Senator Alexander called the amendment “a big wet kiss to the outdoor advertising industry” and “a full-scale assault on one of the most important pieces of legislation that helps keep our country beautiful.” USA Today said his efforts resulted in “a rare setback for power and money in the Senate.”
The Stafford Award is named for former U.S. Senator Robert Stafford of Vermont, for his concern for the environment and efforts to strengthen federal highway beautification laws. Previous recipients include Scenic America founder Marion Fuller Brown of Maine, Governor Pete Wilson of California, Senator John Chafee of Rhode Island and U.S. Transportation Secretary Federico Pena.
“Senator Alexander has been the greatest advocate for ‘America the Beautiful’ in Congress since Mr. Stafford himself,” said Mary Tracy, Scenic America president. “We can think of no one more deserving of this award.”

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For more information contact Max Ashburn, communications director, at 202.588.6385 or ashburn@scenic.org

Scenic America is the only national nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the visual character of America’s roadways, countryside and communities. We have accomplished this mission for over 30 years with the help of state and local affiliates all around the country, including Scenic Tennessee and Scenic Knoxville.

Rio de Janeiro Stripping City of Billboards

Amanda — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:09:43 +0000

Another major city has made the decision to do away with billboards! Rio de Janeiro is taking a stand against visual pollution. By stripping their city of advertising, residents and tourists will be able to fully appreciate the natural and architectural beauty of the city. Which would you rather see: views of the beach and rain forest or a giant billboard?

For the full story, read these articles:

http://m.ajc.com/travel/rio-de-janeiro-stripping-1430867.html

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2012/05/03/rio-de-janeiro-stripping-away-visual-pollution/

Billboard Company Faces Criminal Investigation For Tree Poisoning

Amanda — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:44:49 +0000

Lamar Advertising in Florida is facing more heat as a criminal investigation reveals orders to poison trees for billboard visibility. Read More: http://www.fairwarning.org/2012/04/criminal-probe-spotlights-tree-poisoning-to-make-way-for-billboards/

Free Showing of Visual Documentary Film in Dallas Today!

Amanda — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:39:11 +0000

Scenic Texas & Scenic Dallas Invite You to the Dallas Premiere of This Space Available

This Space Available, a visual pollution documentary featuring several notable Scenic Texans is making its Dallas debut at the 42nd Annual USA Film Festival. See how Texans features prominently in the fight against visual pollution as filmmakers Marc and Gwenaelle Gobé travel to 11 countries on five continents to explore the global problem of unchecked advertising.

Join us at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 29 at the Angelika Film Center and Cafe (5321 Mockingbird Lane) for a FREE screening of this important film and chance to speak to filmmakers Marc and Gwenaelle Gobé.

Free admission compliments of the generous underwriting of Carol and Don Glendenning.

Lamar Employees Admit to Killing Trees for Billboard Visibility

Amanda — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:36:12 +0000

A second Lamar employee has come forward to testify that he was ordered to chop down and poison trees that blocked billboard visibility. Testimony given in a Tallahassee, Florida case claims that Lamar employees were ordered to trespass on private land and kill trees. For more information, follow the link below.

http://www.businessinsider.com/how-the-billboard-industry-secretly-poisons-and-kills-roadside-trees-2012-4

São Paulo, Brazil Going Strong 5 Years After Citywide Billboard Ban

Amanda — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:29:48 +0000

Five years ago, the mayor of São Paulo, Brazil passed a “clean city law” stripping the 7th largest city in the world of all their outdoor advertising. Despite initial concerns, citizens now find the ban beneficial. To read more, follow the link below.

http://www.newdream.org/resources/sao-paolo-ad-ban

Scenic Beauty Equates to City Growth

Amanda — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 14:18:46 +0000

Check out this article about the impact of aesthetics in a city’s growth by scenic advocate and former urban planner, Edward McMahon.

http://urbanland.uli.org/Articles/2012/April/McMahonDistinctive

The Benefits of Urban Trees

Amanda — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:46:18 +0000

Our tree canopy has taken a major hit due to the devastating drought we experienced in Texas this year. This article reminds us of the importance of our trees and how they benefit us in both obvious and not-so-obvious ways.

http://m.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2012/04/high-cost-losing-urban-trees/1716/

“Chickens, Signs, and Other Hot Topics” a paper on emerging trends in land use

Kerry — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 21:13:31 +0000

In a new paper from Alan Bojorquez and Joseph Deeb, the authors outline a list of non-traditional land use and development topics that have been confronting Texas municipalities over the last few years. The paper share insights garnered through their roles as municipal lawyers representing Texas cities. The decision of what to include in this paper was influenced by an increasing tension between the efforts of some property owners to Go Green, and classic municipal regulations involving such routine standards as height, setbacks, and impervious cover. Some cities have been forced to rethink their standards when faced with a resident’s desire to crack open that backyard-fresh-egg, or operate their hot tub with a personal rainwater collection system, wind turbine, and solar panel.

Chickens, Signs, and Other Hot Topics