News

2007

May 19, 2007 -
Capacity Registration For The 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference

America’s Byways Resource Center and the National Scenic Byways Program with the Federal Highway Administration announced that the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference reached capacity far earlier than any other previous conference, topping out at nearly 450 guests.

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The "Grand Quest" Adds Networking Opportunities At 2007 Conference

The new “Grand Quest” networking activity gives everyone attending the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference in Baltimore, Maryland a reason to meet, mingle and learn about byways and Baltimore.

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May 20, 2007 -
Welcome To bywaysresourcecenter.org!

America’s Byways Resource Center is pleased to welcome you to our new website. The information here focuses on education and training for byway groups.

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May 31, 2007 -
Connecting Kids to Byways: The Flat Stanley Way

If you attended the National Scenic Byways Conference in Baltimore, you heard author Richard Louv give a great talk about the value of nature to children.

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June 5, 2007 -
2007 Scenic Byway Awards Presented by AASHTO President Victor Mendez

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, in cooperation with America’s Byways Resource Center and the Federal Highway Administration, recently honored the winners of the 2007 Scenic Byway Awards: Sharing Success and Honoring Excellence. Awards were presented on May 21 at the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference in Baltimore, Maryland.

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June 14, 2007 -
New Tribal Liaison Position at the Resource Center

We are pleased to announce the addition of Scott Sufficool to the America’s Byways Resource Center staff!

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June 27, 2007 -
Conference Photos Now Available!

Photos from the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference are now available! Browse our conference photo gallery of networking, learning and fun from Baltimore, Maryland, May 20-23. Be sure to check back soon for presentations and materials from over 20 conference workshops on the core learning areas of Fundraising, Organizational Development, Corridor Management, Visitor Experience and Marketing.

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July 2, 2007 -
Take Me Fishing

Little Bay De Noc is good fer hookin’ da walleyes dis year. Try draggin’ a shiny crawler harness bout twenty ta tirty feet down wit bottom bouncers ta keep yer bait down. Dem ‘eyes like da choppy water so keep yer rod tip up and yer head on straight. Good luck to yous guys, eh?

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July 6, 2007 -
Preliminary Data Shows Americans Spent $120 Billion on Wildlife Related Recreation in 2006

America’s passion for wildlife and the outdoors continues to be a major engine of the nation’s economy, according to preliminary survey data released today by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

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July 10, 2007 -
Hitting the Road...

It’s that time of the year where I load up the van, the kids, their toys, pillows, closet of clothes, more shoes than we need, a year’s worth of food, and the kitchen sink. All this for the big trek to visit my brother in Gaylord, Michigan.

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July 13, 2007 -
Conference Presentations Now Available

Presentations from the 2007 National Scenic Byways Conference are now available for download. If we missed you in Baltimore, Maryland, May 20-23, you’ll find the presentation materials for many of the conference sessions here.

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July 17, 2007 -
Register for the 11th Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails

Registrations are now being accepted for the 11th Conference on National Scenic and Historic Trails in Duluth, Minnesota, September 7-11, 2007. This year’s conference, “Healthy Trail Partnerships - Healthy Trail Resources,” will feature presentations and workshops on attitudes, methods and approaches to successfully engage diverse communities and people of all ages in the joyful and healthful activity of sustaining National Scenic and Historic Trails and resources.

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July 24, 2007 -
Two-Day Training Opportunities: The Art of Interpretive Writing

Alan Leftridge, author of Interpretive Writing, and executive editor of The Interpreter magazine, will guide you through an engaging and informative workshop that will sharpen your skills for connecting with your audiences.

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August 1, 2007 -
NAI National Workshop Early Bird Deadline: August 7

Join more than 1,000 friends and colleagues for the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) 2007 National Workshop in Wichita, Kansas, November 6-10.

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The Right Tools for the Job

How do you hang pictures on a wall? The proper way is to measure your wall space and the pictures, especially if you are hanging more than one frame.

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August 2, 2007 -
A Leader's Legacy

Rob Draper, Director of the National Scenic Byways Program, officially retired on July 27. His passion for byways will be missed.

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August 7, 2007 -
Register to Attend the 9th American Indian Tourism Conference

The American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA) invites you to attend the 9th American Indian Tourism Conference, an annual education forum by and for the nation’s tribal tourism communities, September 16-19, in Cherokee, North Carolina.

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August 14, 2007 -
"Landscape Architecture News Digest" Interviews Robin Lee Gyorgyfalvy, ASLA

The Public Practice Advisory Committee (PPAC) of ASLA produces the “Policy Shapers” series to spotlight landscape architects who are active in shaping public policy. PPAC member Juanita Shearer-Swink, FASLA, interviewed Robin Lee Gyorgyfalvy, ASLA, for this article.

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August 21, 2007 -
Get Outdoors USA! Unlocks the Fun of Outdoor Activities

The Get Outdoors USA! program is committed to helping our children enjoy healthy, active outdoor lives. The substantial decrease in the amount of time kids spend outdoors and its detrimental effect on their physical, mental and spiritual well-being have been widely recognized in the national and local media.

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The Right Tools for the Job

How do you hang pictures on a wall? The proper way is to measure your wall space and the pictures, especially if you are hanging more than one frame.

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August 29, 2007 -
Featured on Fox News: Get Outdoors USA!

(Washington, D.C.) WTTG Fox 5 News reported live on the Get Outdoors USA! initiative that encourages kids to embrace the Great Outdoors. Anchor and reporter Holly Morris rock climbed at Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park’s Carderock while interviewing American Recreation Coalition (ARC) President Derrick Crandall on the importance of reconnecting kids to nature.

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September 4, 2007 -
Publications Available Upon Request

Limited copies of the following publications are available upon request from the America’s Byways Resource Center, free of charge.

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September 7, 2007 -
Register for the 2007 National Preservation Conference!

The 2007 National Preservation Conference, Preservation Matters!, will take place October 2-6 in St. Paul, Minnesota, and will include a byways panel presentation entitled “Promising Partnerships: Cultural and Historical Preservation along Scenic Byways.” For more information or to register, visit the conference website: www.nthpconference.org.

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September 14, 2007 -
The Power of the Little Red Dot

I received a call the other day from our newest Advisory Committee member, Robin Lee Gyorgyfalvy. She left a message telling me that she wanted to talk about the Power of the Little Red Dot. Ooooh. Interesting. She had my attention. I returned her call immediately.

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September 21, 2007 -
Ode To The Farmer's Market

Every Saturday, the kids and I go to the Farmer’s Market on Barker’s Island. It’s not a very large market - only ten or so vendors - so it doesn’t take very long to pick up our favorite fruits and veggies. But it has become a much looked forward to weekly ritual.

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September 25, 2007 -
Recreation and 2008: Forum Highlights Opportunities and Need for Action

(Washington, D.C.) Recreation issues can have an important place in the public policy debates associated with the elections of 2008, according to a diverse and potent group of national policy experts who spoke at Recreation 2008: Making Our Issues Count.

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September 27, 2007 -
Preserve America Presidential Award Nominations Sought

The Advisory Council on Historic Preservation is accepting nominations for exemplary heritage tourism and historic preservation programs and projects that meet 2008 Preserve America Presidential Award criteria.

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September 28, 2007 -
A Challenge: What Are Byways Doing To Connect Kids With Nature?

The other night while I was watching TV (the kiddos were tucked in bed, natch), I made an interesting observation.

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October 5, 2007 -
Byways and Indian Country

As I write this, I am 25,000 feet and climbing somewhere over eastern Tennessee. I am on my way home from attending the 2007 American Indian Tourism Conference in Cherokee, North Carolina.

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Call for Entries: 2008 Media and Partnership Awards

The Association of Partners for Public Lands (APPL) is pleased to announce a call for entries in the 2008 Media and Partnership Awards. Now in their fifth year, these awards reflect the multi-agency nature of APPL and celebrate the achievements of America’s public lands partners in publishing, product development and programming.

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October 10, 2007 -
Can Illinois River Road drive economy?

(PEORIA, IL) Business on the Illinois River has taken different turns over the years, but it’s the river road that could drive the area’s economic future.

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October 12, 2007 -
Employment Opportunity at America's Byways Resource Center

The America’s Byways Resource Center has a full-time opening for a Byways Specialist to serve as the primary contact for assigned nationally designated scenic byway organizations, State byway coordinators, partner organizations, and State byway programs. The position involves providing technical assistance, information, contacts and support to further the goals of the National Scenic Byways Program and the goals outlined by local byway groups.

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October 25, 2007 -
Section 106 Training Courses Available

Registration is now open for the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation’s Section 106 Essentials Training and Advanced Section 106 Seminar.

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November 1, 2007 -
Where In The World Is Curt Pianalto?

One of the frequent questions we are asked is, “How can you help our byway?” The Resource Center provides three specific services:

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November 2, 2007 -
BIA Grants $350,000 To Help Grow Programs

CHEROKEE, N.C. - At least two details emerged clearly from the recent annual American Indian Tourism Conference: tourism is burgeoning in Indian country, and the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association is at center stage to help nations develop, grow and market their tourism programs. Read the full story at Indian Country Today.

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November 7, 2007 -
Propose a Session for 2008 National Preservation Conference

The National Trust for Historic Preservation invites you to submit a proposal for an education session for the National Preservation Conference in Tulsa, Oklahoma, October 21 - 25, 2008.

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Course Offering: Balancing Nature and Commerce in Communities that Neighbor Public Lands

The Conservation Leadership Network will offer a four-day course in which ‘teams’ will focus on the economics, natural resources and community character of their area and learn valuable partnership building skills. At the end of the four days, teams will leave with a specific action plan for implementing a collaborative project in their community.

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November 13, 2007 -
Call For Papers: Preserving The Historic Road

The 2008 Preserving the Historic Road Planning Committee has issued a formal call for papers for presentation at the Preserving the Historic Road conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, September 11-14, 2008. Papers for education sessions should address historic preservation strategies, engineering solutions and alternatives, highway safety, and innovative management and protection policies.

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November 26, 2007 -
Using Tools Wisely

Have you ever used a hammer to pound in a screw? Sounds sort of funny, doesn’t it? No matter how hard you pound, that screw just doesn’t budge. I know this from actual experience. I won’t do it again, trust me.

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November 29, 2007 -
Call For Presentations: Planners' Rendezvous

The Organization of Wildlife Planners (OWP) and the National Association of Recreation Resource Planners (NARRP) have issued a call for presentation proposals for Planners’ Rendezvous, the nation’s premiere conference event for wildlife and and recreation planners. The conference is scheduled for May 13-15, 2008, in Missoula, Montana.

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December 5, 2007 -
Register For The "Developing A Marketing Plan" Tele-Workshop

The America’s Byways Resource Center will offer a “Developing a Marketing Plan” Tele-Workshop on Wednesday, December 12 at 12:00 p.m. CST, with special guest Bill Canter of the Tunica Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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December 10, 2007 -
Ed W. Clark III Detailed As National Coordinator For Heritage Areas

Ed W. Clark has agreed to serve on a detail as the National Coordinator for Heritage Areas. This position provides budget, legislative and policy support to the 37 congressionally designated heritage areas.

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December 12, 2007 -
Career Day

A recent newsletter from my boys’ pre-school (Tucker and Wyatt, both four) offered parents the opportunity to come to school and talk about our jobs. I’ve already signed up! Next will be the challenge of explaining byways to four- and five-year-olds. I think I’ll bring treats.

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December 14, 2007 -
Resource Center Accepting Applications For Grassroots Byway Hospitality Train-the-Trainer Workshop

The America’s Byways Resource Center is now accepting applications from individuals interested in attending a Grassroots Byway Hospitality Train-the-Trainer workshop. This train-the-trainer course will focus on the Grassroots Byway Hospitality Training tool developed by the Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways Program. The tool is national in scale and applicable to all byways. Participants will learn how to conduct and effectively teach all elements of the tool to other byways that wish to increase community outreach and enhance the visitor experience.

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December 20, 2007 -
Forest Service Chief Continues "More Kids in the Woods" With A New Call For Proposals

Parents, educators, physicians and land managers are increasingly concerned with the growing disconnect between children and nature, and the kind of future we are creating for our children. Disconnection from nature also translates into a shaky future for sustainable forests and healthy public lands.

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