by TRC_Admin | Dec 1, 2018 | Scenic Highways
Photo: Coastal Living, Visit Sarasota
“When it comes to celebrating the holidays, the North Pole has nothing on Florida, where Santa gets to wear swim trunks and his reindeer frolic in the sand. Here are some of jolliest holiday happenings in the Sunshine State.”
Sarasota
“During the most wonderful time of the year, Sarasota comes alive with holiday spirit. Don’t miss the magical light shows at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens or Holiday Night of Lights on St. Armands Circle.
The Mall at University Town Center builds a skating rink each year to compliment and endless landscape of colorful lights, and will take it further this year with real snow tubing…”
Apalachicola
Photo: Coastal Living, Franklin County TDC
“In Florida’s oyster capital, Santa’s preferred method of transportation is via shrimp boat! Every year, the Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce hosts an old-fashioned Christmas celebration in the streets of the downtown historic district. As tradition dictates, Santa shows up on a shrimp boat at the City Dock on Water Street…”
Seaside
Photo: Coastal Living, Visit South Walton
“With their small-town appeal, the beach destination like Seaside in South Walton offer lots to do this holiday season. Kick off the celebration with an annual Christmas Parade in Seagrove Beach, then see Santa again with a lively countdown to ‘turn on the town’ holiday lights event…”
— Coastal Living
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by TRC_Admin | Oct 31, 2018 | Scenic Highways
Photo: Florida Scenic Byways via National Scenic Byway Foundation
“The U.S. House of Representatives Transportation and Infrastructure Committee September 27 unanimously approved H.R.5158 – which directs the Secretary of Transportation to reopen the nomination process for National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads.
The bill – introduced by U.S. Representatives David Cicilline (D-RI) and Ted Poe (R-TX) – was revised through an amendment offered by U.S. Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), who chairs the powerful Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
Scenic America and the National Scenic Byway Foundation have been working hard to advocate for this bill. By contacting your Representative today you will help bring this goal one step closer to reality…
A recent survey found that 44 state scenic byways across the country are prepared to seek designation as National Scenic Byways. It’s critical that we get this important program restarted so these local communities can benefit from this special federal designation.
View Bill Tracker
View a pdf showing language in the bill
View a pdf of our Legislative Alert and Call To Action
View a video showing debate on the measure
— National Scenic Byway Foundation
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by TRC_Admin | Oct 31, 2018 | Scenic Highways
Photo: Florida Trail Association Website
“In February 1965, President Lyndon Johnson’s speech to Congress on ‘Conservation and Preservation of Natural Beauty’ was more than about clean water and parks. He also spoke about trails.
‘The forgotten outdoorsmen of today are those who like to walk, hike, ride horseback, or bicycle. For them we must have trails as well as highways…Old and young alike can participate. Our doctors recommend and encourage such activity for fitness and fun…’
The National Scenic Trail has 11 designated trails within the National Trails System and one of those is the Florida National Scenic Trail, with over a thousand miles- one stretch of which takes hikers through Hernando County.
Those that love a little outdoor adventure can experience over 20 miles of some of the best scenic hiking in Hernando County. Hikers can enjoy the diversity of habitats from swamp domes to sandhill scrub within the Withlacoochee Forest and may even see some of Florida’s amazing wildlife and wildflowers.
Not enough time to experience the full 20 miles? Here are three sections of the FNST in Hernando County for starting a simple outdoor adventure.
Cypress Lake Preserve: the trail enters/exits on Ridge Manor Blvd with 1.62 miles of scrub and sandhill habitats as well as dome swamps and enters/exits on Paul R. Steckle Lane
Perry Oldenburg: enters/exits at Willow Street with 1.54 miles of mostly sandhill habitat and follows Deer Run Road for 1.02 miles to connect to Colonel Robins Tract Trail a .74 mile section of the Withlacoochee State Forest that enters/exits US 41 (across the street of the Chinsegut Conservation Trail)
Chinsegut Conservation Trail: enters/exits at US 41 and Snow Memorial HWY is 2.04 miles of upland pine and the trail leads you to the Cypress Boardwalk overlooking Mays Prairie. The trail exits/enters at CR 481 (Snow Memorial HWY near Lake Lindsey Road)…”
Check out https://www.floridatrail.org/florida-national-scenic-trail/fnst/ for more helpful information.
Learn more about the National Trails System https://www.trails50.org/”
— Alice Mary Herden, Hernando Sun
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by TRC_Admin | Sep 29, 2018 | Scenic Highways
Photo: Scenic America
“The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure unanimously moved H.R. 5158, a bill to restart the National Scenic Byways Program, on to the full House! Click here to watch the committee’s discussion on the bill.
This action represents a critical step forward for this bill and for the National Scenic Byways Program. This victory wouldn’t have been possible without the support of friends like you who’ve taken action to contact their Members of Congress in support of this bill. So thank you!
If you haven’t yet, please reach out to your U.S. Representative today in support of scenic byways: www.scenic.org/HR5158
Scenic America has been working hard to achieve the reopening of nominations to the National Scenic Byways Program, and today this goal is one step closer to reality.”
— Mark Falzone, Scenic America
More details at Scenic America
by TRC_Admin | Jun 1, 2017 | Highway Beautification, Scenic Highways, Wildflowers
Photo: Peter Bauer, AP
“Even though there had been a few previous attempts to promote roadside wildflowers, roadside vegetation ‘had never been seen by the department as a benefit,’ said state transportation landscape architect Jeff Caster.
Roadsides were seen ‘as a liability rather than an asset, something the department needs to perpetually control and keep from protruding into the road.
But over time, that attitude has changed and a new approach is taking shape, he said.
The recent study by George Harrison, an economist with UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, was arranged at the urging of the Florida Wildflower Foundation…
Using formulas and estimates from studies elsewhere in the nation, Harrison concluded the 93,000 acres of state highway rights of way that are covered in plants are worth more than a half-billion dollars a year, in terms of runoff reduction, carbon storage and pollination…
‘It’s a little bit of choreography,’ he said. ‘You have to figure out the right time to mow and the frequency of mowing.’
Mowing has to wait until after wildflowers bloom and produce seeds, so the mowers can help distribute the wildflowers’ seeds, he said. But without mowing the rest of the year, the wildflowers would be shaded out by other plants.
With the study in hand, Roberts said the Wildflower Foundation hopes to work with counties and the department to lobby for management that will keep the roadside ecosystems more natural, she said, adding beauty and providing more habitat for bees and other important pollinators.”
— Dinah Voyles Pulver , Daytona Beach News-Journal
by TRC_Admin | Apr 4, 2017 | Billboards, Building Wrap, Bus Bench, Highway Beautification, Interactive Advertising, Kiosk, Scenic Highways, Snipe Signs, Uncategorized
Photo: Leah Powell
Bill Brinton has spent a lifetime as a protector of unspoiled views. He has successfully battled local, state and national forces bent on visual assault caused by installation of outdoor advertising and other unsightly intrusions.
He believes in the power of citizens to take a stand for the irreplaceable resources that matter most. Because of his foresight, you can be part of a mobilized citizenry that ensures our scenic surroundings for generations to come.
Bill chose to mark the 30th anniversary of the successful Jacksonville City Charter Amendment banning new billboards and removing more than 1,400 existing billboards with the creation of the Scenic Jacksonville Endowment to Protect and Enhance Scenic Beauty in Jacksonville.
When fully funded, this endowment will enable Scenic Jacksonville — also celebrating its 30th anniversary — to continue its vital work to preserve the breathtaking views we cherish and provide support for new projects that enhance our much-loved home.
It is Bill’s vision to raise $300,000 for the endowment, which is held at The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida. His dream is to see it provide perpetual funding for the things he holds most dear: civic engagement, advocacy, and education.
He’s eager to involve the next generation by sponsoring photo and essay contests to instil a love of our natural surroundings in young citizens.
There is so much more we can do together if we rally around Bill’s visionary leadership and ultimate victory over unsightly signage.
For more information about the fund, please contact Nina Waters, President, The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida at(904) 356-4483 or nwaters@jaxcf.org.
To contribute to the Scenic Jacksonville Endowment to Protect and Enhance Scenic Beauty in Jacksonville, go to jaxcf.org/donate and enter Scenic Jacksonville into the Search box.”
Save the Date: May 17 for a Celebration in Jacksonville
Visit the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida
–Scenic Jacksonville
