Advocating for Stronger Scenic Policies

Preserving the Beauty of Our State

At Scenic Texas, we are dedicated to protecting and enhancing the scenic beauty of our state, ensuring that future generations can experience the natural and cultural landscapes that make Texas truly unique. Our mission is to inspire communities, businesses, and individuals to recognize the intrinsic value of preserving the aesthetic and environmental integrity of Texas.

Since 1985, Scenic Texas has been a leading advocate for the preservation of our state’s natural beauty. We work collaboratively with local governments, organizations, and citizens to promote sustainable practices, protect vital green spaces, and encourage the thoughtful planning and development of urban and rural areas. Through our efforts, we aim to create a lasting impact on the way Texas landscapes are valued and preserved.

Our initiatives focus on a wide range of conservation efforts, including:

Urban and Rural Scenic Conservation: By working with municipalities and community leaders, we help cities adopt policies that balance growth with environmental preservation, ensuring that both urban and rural areas retain their natural beauty.
Tree Planting and Green Space Preservation: One of the most effective ways to protect and enhance our landscapes is through the planting and care of trees. We promote tree planting initiatives that help reduce urban heat, improve air quality, and provide spaces for recreation and community connection.
Public Awareness and Education: We believe that educating the public about the value of scenic landscapes is key to their preservation. Our educational programs empower citizens to engage in conservation efforts and advocate for policies that protect the environment.
Scenic City Certification Program: Scenic Texas offers the Scenic City Certification Program, which recognizes Texas cities that demonstrate a commitment to preserving their scenic beauty through sustainable urban planning and development practices. This certification not only enhances the visual appeal of communities but also promotes long-term environmental stewardship.
Advocacy for Legislation: We advocate for local, state, and national policies that protect scenic vistas, preserve natural habitats, and promote responsible development practices. Through our efforts, we ensure that conservation remains a priority in decision-making processes across Texas.

Scenic Texas envisions a future where the breathtaking landscapes of our state are preserved for all to enjoy, where communities thrive in harmony with their surroundings, and where every Texan has the opportunity to experience the natural beauty that makes our state so special. We invite you to join us in this vital mission and become a champion for scenic conservation in Texas.

Together, we can ensure that Texas remains a state known not only for its vast opportunities and vibrant culture but also for its commitment to safeguarding the scenic beauty that makes it one of a kind.

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Our Goal

Scenic Texas and our chapters all over the state work closely with the Texas Legislature, Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), and local community government to advocate for thoughtfully designed and landscaped highways, funding for landscaping and tree plantings, protection from new billboard construction, and the enforcement of existing laws. Through effective advocacy at the state and city level Scenic Texas makes real change by amplifying the voices of our local chapters and Texas communities.

Scenic Texas works to provide information to the public, educate our members and stakeholders, and advocate at the Capitol concerning issues that impact the scenic beauty of Texas. These issues include legislation to protect the dark sky from unnecessary light pollution, regulation of billboards, funding for the Green Ribbon Program, the designation of scenic highways, and supporting local control of city ordinances related to beautification.

State Scenic Byway Program

IT’S TIME TO PUT TEXAS ON THE MAP!

HB 1908 and SB 941 are important for our state and economic recovery. These are companion bills that will establish a State Scenic Byways Program. We are the only state in the nation that does not have this program and the only government mandate associated with a scenic byway designation is no more new billboards. This program will provide recognition to what our organization has understood all along — scenic drives are beautiful, and deserve to be preserved and acknowledged. These scenic drives are not only good for mental health and environmental impact, but drive economic development and tourism, especially to adjacent communities. You can learn more about why we should have a State Scenic Byways Program in the op-ed by our President in the Big Bend Gazette.

A State Scenic Byways Program, makes local communities eligible to receive federal funding if they take the initiative to apply for it through TxDOT. In conjunction with the creation of the program, Scenic Texas is proposing to designate the approximately 30 highways in Transportation Code, Sec. 391.252 as part of the program. These highways are already statutorily protected from billboards and, therefore, already eligible to apply for federal funding once designated and if they choose to do so. For more information on the Federal Byways Program visit our affiliate Scenic America’s page here.