| |
A billboard lovely as a tree. Perhaps, unless the billboards fall, I'll never see a tree at all. - Ogden Nash
Welcome to Scenic Knoxville! We hope you will enjoy your visit and find something beautiful to see.
Scenic Knoxville is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and enhancing the bountiful scenic resources in the Knoxville, Tennessee area. The group is the first local chapter of the statewide organization Scenic Tennessee, and is also affiliated with Scenic America.
The Board of Directors includes Gene Burr, Jerome Erpenbach, Joyce Feld, David Goodson, Marsha Grieve, Margot Kline, Robert Marlino, Kevin Murphy, Lisa Starbuck and Julie Webb.
Scenic Knoxville has been a major contributor to the success of a number of landmark scenic issues in Knoxville and Knox County. Through its efforts, Scenic Knoxville was able to secure a ban on digital billboards, a ban on new electronic message centers (EMCs), and greater restrictions on existing EMCs in the city. Scenic Knoxville’s leadership and advocacy also resulted in the passage of a new City Sign Ordinance which reduced new business sign heights, implemented procedures for quicker removal of abandoned signs and maintenance of signs, and other significant changes. Finally, Scenic Knoxville successfully advocated for a ban (passed by County Commission) on any new digital billboards in Knox County.
Scenic Knoxville has a new Facebook page! Please visit our page and Like Us to show support for our initiatives.
Over 100 people joined Scenic Knoxville at the East Tennessee History
Center for a celebration of eight years of successful advocacy and
accomplishment in Knox County. Mary Tracy, President of Scenic
America, was the keynote speaker and presented the Stafford Award to
Scenic Knoxville.
Scenic America’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to present
the Stafford Award to Scenic Knoxville in recognition of the
group’s focused and sustained campaign to preserve and enhance
scenic beauty.
Scenic America Board Chairman Ronald Lee Fleming said, “By
demonstrating that a committed group of citizens can affect positive
change in their community through a shared vision, persistence and
determination, Scenic Knoxville has set a gold standard for other
scenic organizations and all citizens who care about the way their
communities look.”
This is the first time that Scenic America has given the Stafford
Award, its highest honor, to an affiliate organization. The Stafford
Award is named for former U.S. Senator Robert Stafford of Vermont,
for his bold support of scenic conservation and highway
beautification efforts. Previous recipients include Senator Lamar
Alexander of Tennessee, Governor Pete Wilson of California, Senator
John Chafee of Rhode Island and U.S. Transportation Secretary
Federico Pena.
 Julie Webb, Scenic Knoxville board member, was also recognized for her many years of dedication and commitment to scenic conservation in Tennessee. She was presented with a plaque from Scenic Knoxville by Knoxville News Sentinel political cartoonist Charlie Daniel. Over the years, Daniel has drawn numerous cartoons in support of scenic conservation and Scenic Knoxville. Scenic Knoxville is proud to have received this award and thanks the community for its strong support over the years, without which we would not have been able to accomplish everything we have. Your continued support is greatly appreciated. Scenic Knoxville's mission is to advocate for the scenic integrity of Knoxville and the surrounding region. We support sustainable land use policies and environmentally sound land use practices, historic preservation of scenic landmarks, tree conservation, litter and signage control, and other issues that impact the visual character of East Tennessee. Join us! Your membership to Scenic Knoxville also gives you membership in Scenic Tennessee. To support Scenic Knoxville and Scenic Tennessee and begin receiving the quarterly newsletter, you can join online by clicking here to download a membership form. Individuals from surrounding counties are welcome. For more information contact info@scenicknoxville.org.
After reviewing the membership levels, you can pay online using Paypal by clicking the Donate button below or mailing in your check. Please be sure to put your name, address and phone number in the notes area of Paypal and either email or mail in your membership form. The Paypal membership payment will appear as a Donation and will show up on your credit card as Donation to Scenic Knoxville. If you prefer, you can mail your check or money order (no cash please), along with a phone number where we can reach you, to:
Scenic Knoxville Click the Donate button below to pay for your Scenic Knoxville membership using Paypal. It's quick, easy and secure!
 Knoxville area photos courtesy Cathy McCaughan and Lisa Starbuck | |
| Working Together to Keep Knoxville Scenic!
Scenic Knoxville |
A group of diverse individuals from different parts of Knoxville, all possessing a real passion for the city, came together in early 2008 to form the Scenic Knoxville chapter.