APRIL 2001 LOGO: America's Byways What’s Inside: Nominating Your Byway for National Designation: It’s All about the Story . . . 2 Roadside Reflections . . . . 2 Learning Vacations Draw Visitors to the Byway . . . . 4 Making the Grade with the Indiana National Road Association’s School Recognition Program . . . . 5 Scenic America Opens Nominations for “Last Chance Landscapes 2001” 5 Top 10 Tips for Working with Consultants . . . . . . .5 Research Corner . . . . . . . . 8 Off the Shelf . . . . . . . . . .8 Driving the Byways . . . . . 9 Intelligent Transportation Systems: The Future of Information Exchange . . 10 Field Notes . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Context-Sensitive Design Training in Minnesota . . 11 Friendraise Before You Fundraise . . . . . . . . . . . .11 Published in cooperation with the Federal Highway Administration by: National Scenic Byways Resource Center Arrowhead Regional Development Commission 227 West First Street Suite 610 Duluth, MN 55802 1-800-4BYWAYS, Ext.5 Funding Byway Projects Via TEs Every National Scenic Byway and All-American Road keeps a wish list of “someday” projects. Someday may be sooner than you think, if your project qualifies as a Transportation Enhancement activity (TE). Harold Peaks, FHWA Program Manager for Transportation Enhancements, and Team Leader for the Transportation Enhancements, Preservation and Design Team in the Planning and Environment Core Business unit, and Megan Russell, Manager of the National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse, shared their insights about this federal funding source during the February 7 Byway Leaders Conference Call. Harold summarized the overall program and explained the request process. He also described the twelve types of qualifying activities that may relate to scenic byways. Megan discussed the role of the National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse, emphasizing the many resources available. The conference call transcript serves as a basis for the following article. Beyond Roads and Bridges Through two transportation Acts, the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century (TEA-21) in 1998, Congress established the Transportation Enhancement (TE) Program for generating creative activities that integrate transportation into communities and the natural environment. The ISTEA program originally defined ten activities eligible for funding, ranging from historic preservation to landscaping. TEA-21 later added two more qualifying activities, bringing the total to twelve. PHOTO: Transportation Enhancement funds assisted in the renovation of the Historic Union Hotel, built of limestone in 1817. The building was adapted to house the Seaway Trail Discovery Center located along New York’s Seaway Trail (National Scenic Byway). Digging for Dollars You have to dig a bit to find the TE dollars. Through ISTEA and TEA-21, 10% of the Surface Transportation Program dollars are set aside for TE activities. The Surface Transportation Program, which stands under the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA ), provides dollars to each state department of transportation (DOT) and earmarks 10% of these funds for TE projects. This means that the TE dollars actually fall under the supervision of each state DOT. Each state may apply rules governing the upper funding limits on projects, as well as lower limits. Check with your state to find the basic funding requirements. You’ll want to contact the Transportation Enhancement Coordinator or Federal Highway Administration division Transportation Enhancement Coordinator for your state. Your state coordinator can explain how your state solicits project proposals, what the evaluation process entails, what kind of review occurs, what schedules to expect and other important information. Contacts are listed on the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) Web site at www.enhancements.org or call NTEC at (888)388-6832. Gather as much information as you can—reports and related materials—about your individual project components. “I encourage you to touch base with the (Transportation Enhancements) Clearinghouse folks to see what they can do to assist,” said Harold . “Consult the list of activities that a re-eligible and view how they apply to your project. ” The National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse in Washington, D.C., serves as a resource for organizations like scenic byways looking for information to pursue TE money. We provide a number of publications that are of technical assistance. They provide case studies of successful projects that can give you background information, ” said Megan. “We are here to help you in any way we can.” Figures on Funding Knowing the dollar range for your state is important. Harold believes that approved projects average in the neighborhood of about $300 thousand. “We’ve seen them go as high as $14 million down to as low as $100 thousand. There is a lot of opportunity to have a variety of types of projects in the twelve categories—be sure to view them carefully. It depends very heavily on what the state DOT and its funding process is willing to put into effect,” Harold noted. He also cautions that this is a reimbursement program not a grant program so the projects need to be funded up front for later reimbursement. The current funding level to the states is in the amount of $620 million per year. TEA-21 provided that, at the state’s discretion, approved projects could receive 100% federal dollars. The normal funding ratio is 80% federal with a 20% local match. Some states require higher local matching. Other states require that all preliminary engineering be completed prior to getting access to these funds. “The funds come through the state DOT, so some states have a statewide committee that selects a project to be funded. Others dole the money out to their metropolitan planning organizations or district offices. Some keep a portion of it for statewide use and dole out the rest,” said Harold. Pick Your Partners According to Harold, the legislators behind TEA-21 tried to foster additional partnerships where none existed around non-traditional transportation activities. Indeed, some state DOTs were reluctant to pursue some of these types of projects in the past. “ You will need to find out how it is done in your particular state because often times there is a partnership requirement. If your non - profit organization attempts to access these funds, the most important part of the requirement is that you partner with a local city or MPO or other state contacts to make sure that there is a public entity involved,” Harold advised. He also noted that communities looking at several of the eligible activities and focusing on more than just one project seem to be more successful at gaining access to TE funds. These communities strive to work with the locals who decide the projects to submit for funding. “You will need to work closely with your contacts to make sure that the type of things you are proposing are compatible with the eligibility for the fund. There is a lot of overlap and a lot of potential,” Harold said. He encourages byways to look beyond just one specific activity category. SIDEBAR: E-Sources Visit the National Transportation Enhancement Clearinghouse Web site www.enhancements.org or call toll free (888-388-6832) Also, visit the FHWA Web site for more information, including the twelve TE categories. www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment Use Your Resources Your first contact should be your state DOT Transportation Enhancement Coordinator to make sure your project can be funded with enhancement dollars. Don’t assume that it is. Work with your state contact person to make sure that you are covered. A second source of information would be the Transportation Enhancement Coordinator at the FHWA Division office in your state. Harold believes scenic byway activities under the National Scenic Byways Program are generally eligible under the enhancements program. However, your project doesn’t have to be located on a “scenic byway” to achieve TE funding, despite the use of the term “scenic” in one of the categories. Megan added, “The Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse is a resource for all of you who are interested in accessing transportation enhancement funds. We are here to help you find information you need to pursue this money. We maintain a database of projects that have been selected from around the country, which we can search and find out what has been done in your state—or perhaps even related to your Byway. We provide referrals to the state DOT Enhancements contacts and FHWA contacts.” Driving Home Results Compared to the normal schedule for transportation projects, TE programs move from concept to reality faster. The results drive home a positive reaction from communities, especially when they see the direct benefits. “ We encourage wherever these projects are implemented that we get the community involved,” said Harold. “Take advantage of the chance to show off improvements that can be made in a relatively short period of time.” The Eligible Twelve You'll find that the activities Congress deemed “transportation enhance ments diverge from the traditional highway and transportation projects. This enables byways to access trans portation funds usually unavailable through your state DOT. The qualify ing TE categories provided in Section 1201(a)(35) of TEA 21 are exclusive, not illustrative. Only the listed activi ties are eligible as transport tion enhancement activities. 1. Provision of facilities for pedestrians and bicycles. Construction for bike and pedestrian facilities, such as sidewalks, walkways, curbs, bike lane striping, shoulders, bike parking, and bike racks. This construction does not have to be part of a bigger highway project and it can be located off - road as well. Bike and pedestrian facilities take up the vast majority of the fund that has been extended through TEs. 2. Provision of safety and educational activities for pedestrians and bicyclists. This is a new category put in place under TEA 21. This activity should encourage walking and bicycling, with a safety and education focus. 3. Acquisition of scenic easements and scenic or historic sites. This would involve the acquisition of land easement, landscaping, or the purchase of buildings located in historic districts. 4. Scenic or historic highway. programs (including the provision of tourist and welcome center facilities). Many byways can envision projects that might apply here. Keep in mind that the project, particularly tourist and welcome center facilities, need to focus on transportation and directly relate to a scenic or historic highway. 5. Landscaping and other scenic beautification. Again, many scenic byways can think of projects that might apply. This TE relates to gateway type program and projects and the activities associated with landscape and scenic beautification. This could include lighting, street furniture, public art, or related trail activities. 6. Historic preservation. The historic preservation community has been very effective in gaining access to funds. This particular category has seen a lot of activity coming through with bike and pedestrian facilities. 7. Rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, structures, or facilities (including historic railroad facilities and canals). This category specifically refers to rehabilitation and operation of his toric transportation buildings. Normally TE funds cannot be used for operations or maintenance activities; however, this particular category (and only this one) contains the word “operation.” Eligible structures include rail depots, bus stations, lighthouses and tresses. 8. Preservation of abandoned railway corridors (including the conversion and use thereof for pedestrian or bicycle trails). These funds are not intended to support existing rail lines or eco nomic redevelopment of rail lines. The intent is to support bike and pedestrian-type facilities planned for existing rail corridors set to be abandoned in the near future. 9. Control and removal of outdoor advertising. This category has not received a lot of activity, due to the controversial nature of billboard removal. A number of states use other funds to deal with outdoor advertising, but Congress did include it as a category under the eligible enhancement activities. 10. Archeological planning and research. Note that specific wording is “archeological planning and research, which means the types of activities that could apply include the development of interpretative signs or exhibits related to archeology. 11. Environmental mitigation to address water pollution due to highway run-off or reduce vehicle- caused wildlife mortality while maintaining habitat connectivity. TEA 21 added the wildlife reference to help promote the ability of wildlife to move freely despite the potential impacts of transportation facilities. The additional language means you can address run-off pollution of water resources and also address wildlife connectivity via underpasses and overpasses. 12. Establishment of transportation museums. The tourist industry has been very interested in this particular category, especially among the museum and architecture communities. The two basic criteria defined under TEA 21 require that a qualifying project must show a connection or relationship to transportation, and it also has to be one of the listed activities. If you have a community trying to establish a museum or expand an existing museum, you might seek funding for a wing or section dedicated to transportation issues. Many approved projects combine elements from the TE list, according to the FHWA Web site. Purchasing a historic site and developing a local history interpretive site qualifies as a TE, even when it s a rest area too. Conversely, some activities might qualify if they’re part of a larger eligible TE. New drainage construc tion doesn’t fall under the TE list, but it might be funded if it’s part of a TE for rehabilitating a historic railroad depot. Environmental analysis, project planning, design, land acquisition and construction projects for qualifying TEs are also eligible for funding this way. Q&A With Harold Peaks The following Questions and Answers are edited from the February 7 Byways Leaders Conference Call. Q: Would a river drive museum come in under the transport ation enhancement fund? The river drive moved logs from the forest into the mills, and people worked on it. It was discontinued in the 1960s; our river was the last scene of a river drive. The museum would be a building used to describe what took place at the river drive, the materials used and so on. A: It must meet the museum criteria. (For specific criteria, see the FHWA’s “Final Guidance on TE Activities” at the NTEC Web site under “Policy.”) The museum needs to have a transportation connection. Water-elated activities are also eligible as transportation (air is not eligible criteria for the fund). You would have to take a look at what the proposal would put in place, and look at the criteria for museums to be sure that it would qualify. It sounds like there is a very good possibility. Museums tend to be fairly expensive when you are starting from ground-zero to build. It would take a fair amount of discussion with your state DOT to see what kinds of funding levels they have available, and if that is something they would consider a priority to put in place. Keep in mind that you are competing with other proposals for limited enhancement funds when you propose a museum. Q : Do you have any information about how many transport t i o n enhancement projects have been related to scenic byways? A: The total in the Clearinghouse database that have the word “byway”—and the name may or may not be a designated Scenic Byway—is 44 projects. There are a lot of other projects that might interest scenic byways, like historic preservation and scenic acquisitions. An example like “scenic overlook” is not a term among the list of activities identified in the law, but certainly could be funded as part of a larger effort eligible in some of the categories. Q: If there was a visitor center or welcome center (railway station) that happened to be housed in a historic building, a re you saying that there might be some funds available for operational type expenses? A: The terminology is “rehabilitation and operation of historic transportation buildings, struc- tures, or facilities.” That’s been primarily associated with a train station or rail depot. Some communities have refurbished old rail lines and turned them into recreation areas. If a building is historic but its history is not related to transportation, then that wouldn’t necessarily qualify in this area. Q: Do these funds actually pay for a light bill or utilities? A: They usually don’t get involved in operations. Whatever it takes to help operate that facility, the division can approve as operational cost. Staff is another category. We would have to work it out with the division office as to what would be eligible. Q: We’ve struggled with the category of transportation museums and are looking for some insight. We’ve had a lot of proposals for general museums with a particular transportation exhibit or a trans- portation focus, but the committee that views our enhancements has determined that TE funding should primarily go to museums that focus only on transportation. Two examples: 1. The Native American tribes want to do a historical museum and offer funding for the whole museum, but just provide a specific transportation exhibit. 2. We would like to construct a museum commemorating the creation of the Greyhound Bus line in Hibbing, Minnesota. What’s your experience with other museums projects around the country? A:TE funding should focus exclusively on the transportation element of a given museum or funding of transportation museums. Clearly the museum doesn’t have to focus only on highway transportation, as long the exhibits or aspects of the interpretive center relate to transportation— whether that be a wing, room or half of the museum. Q: What's your sense about Transportation Enhancement and the reauthorization? A : At this point, the feedback we’ve been getting from across the country is that this program is receiving very broad support from all levels—from individuals walking along bike and pedestrian facilities to the leadership in the towns, such as mayors and city managers, looking for ways to boost their communities. Also we have requests from towns that need transit activities to help them get their mobile system back on track. We get all kinds of folks interested in opportunities for funds that they otherwise couldn’t get their hands on. The support is there. The question is if the support has translated into information that the congressional leadership has access to when they start to consider these things. Q:Are there any lessons learned for the Scenic Byway people? How can they get going and access more funds? What is it that the bike and pedestrian people are doing so well that other people could learn from? A:The bike and pedestrian advocates have used the Enhancements program to fund many projects. They were involved early in the legislative process in Washington, DC. Your most important step is early coordination of your project with local communities and the state enhancements coordinator. Check Your Resource Center The Resource Center will provide additional information from Megan Russell for the byways and state coordinators, including a summary of this conference call. Look at the specific project examples highlighted in some of the Enhancement publications on-line, too. Several examples speak specifically about ways to enhance byways and what projects have been funded. The Web site examples and publications will help you visualize many of the projects. The National Scenic Byway Conference in Portland, Oregon, August 26-29th may be another opportunity to focus on this funding resource. Nominating Your Byway for National Designation: It’s All about the Story Note: This is part of a continuing series of articles by the Federal Highway Administration about the nomination of roads as National Scenic Byways and All-American Roads. We now count 57 National Scenic Byways and 15 All-American Roads in a collection recognized and promoted nationally as America’s Byways. America’s Byways enables byway visitors to look into the heart and soul of America and learn the stories that made America what she is today. Are you planning to nominate your byway for national designation? As this issue of Vistas goes to print, the Federal Highway Administration is about to open the 2002 nomination site on www.byways.org. We will post information to help people interested in nominating a byway for designation as a National Scenic Byway or All-American Road. The nomination and designation criteria are included in FHWA’s Interim Policy published in the Federal Register on May 18, 1995, also available on www.byways.org. A sample 2002 nomination also will be posted for Montakota’s mythical byway, Big Water’s Scenic Byway. We are still developing and testing software that will enable to you to enter information for your byway’s nomination. While we complete our work, you should begin compiling information and preparing your byway’s story. Work you do now will be time well spent in preparation for submitting your nomination to the department of transportation for your state. Your state scenic byway coordinator will need to submit the nomination to FHWA less than a year from now. More than an Application The 2002 nomination is not about filling out an application. It’s all about telling your byway’s story. That’s the premise that has driven our work on the 2002 nomination. Your finished product will not look like previous nomination or grant applications. You will print a 2002 guide to your byway. The inset with this article presents the contents for the guide. You might want to think of your byway’s nomination as a combination of the community’s guide and a visitor’s guide for your byway. SIDEBAR: America’s Byways enables byway visitors to look into the heart and soul of America and learn the stories that made America what she is today. Roadside Reflections by Michelle Johnson, Associate Director Up north, March is a difficult month. There isn’t enough snow to enjoy, but it’s still hanging around, usually combined with winter s accumulated dirt. My dreams tend to drift towards the warm summer months…the bright sun, wildflowers, green grass and gentle breezes. I imagine what I would like to do during the summer. What are your hopes for summer? Do you have travel plans? I plan on spending my weekends at my family’s cabin on a pretty little lake in Northwestern Wisconsin. I’m also planning to spend some time in the Pacific Northwest and I think you should join me! We’ve been talking about the National Scenic Byways Conference since we made the announcement about the location last year. By now you know that it’s in Portland, Oregon, on August 26 – 29, and that we are offering an optional pre-conference workshop on Interpretive Planning for Byways in Bend, Oregon, and that our keynote speaker is the author and radio commentator extraordinaire, Tom Bodett. But did you know about the terrific Host Committee assisting in the planning efforts? Ten dedicated and enthusiastic professionals handle a big part of planning this confer ence, and they are waiting to welcome you to the Pacific Northwest. They have worked hard to make this conference interesting and exciting…one that you would choose to attend! Did you know that several agencies and organizations offered to sponsor parts of the conference to reduce your costs? The list includes the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Otak Inc., Storeyco, and the Alaska Convention and Visitors Bureau. We also have several exhibitors lined up for you to meet during the conference. Spaces are still available for exhibitors and we always welcome new conference sponsors. This year we are offering forty one workshop sessions (that’s over sixty hours of learning!) and eight mobile workshops on the Historic Columbia River Highway and in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. With over seventy well written proposals submitted, it took us longer than we anticipated to make our selections. Thanks to all of you who submitted. As you make your summer plans, I hope you include a trip to Portland, Oregon. Your invitation to join me will arrive later this month and we’ll need your RSVP by August. Come early or stay late, bring your family or bring your byway friends, and plan to enjoy Oregon and Washington’s miles and miles of breathtaking scenic byways. See you in August! For more information, please visit the America’s Byways National Conference Web site at: www.americasbywaysconference.org PHOTO: A view of Sparks Lake along the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, Oregon. Your Community’s Guide? The National Scenic Byway Program is a voluntary, grassroots program. The program is founded upon the strength of local leadership for byways. Community involvement and community support is essential for a byway’s nomination for national designation. Your nomination should convey the community’s support and passion for the byway, the resources along the byway, and the byway’s nomination for national designation. Perhaps it might be viewed as “the fire in the belly” for the byway – as one person gleaned from several nominations when assisting FHWA in assessing roads nominated for possible national designation in 2000. Passion or “the fire in the belly” is not found in hype, rather it is based upon well-grounded support in the overall nomination, including the corridor management plan. Through your byway’s corridor management plan, we want to understand your community’s vision for the byway and the strategies for conserving and enhancing the byway’s intrinsic qualities as well as the promotion of tourism and economic development. Your plan should provide an effective strategy to balance these concerns while providing for the user’s enjoyment of the byway. A Visitor’s Guide? An important criteria is continuity. Neither National Scenic Byways nor All-American Roads should have too many gaps; rather, they should be as continuous as possible and minimize intrusions on the visitor’s experience. Give special care to creating the byway’s route, name, theme, and story to link the byway’s most significant resources and help create a continuous experience for the traveler. Managing the intrinsic qualities that shape your byway’s story and interpreting your story for visitors are equally important in creating a continuous experience for the traveler. Compiling Information for Your Byway Now is the time to begin compiling information for your byway, such as: • Information to help provide a portrait of your byway, including color slides that help show-off your byway in every season and maps or interpretive information about your byway. Remember to include some slides with people having a good time along your byway and other slides with both the road and its scenery. • Information on how communities along the byway became involved in the development of your byway’s corridor management plan and the decision to advance the byway for national designation. Section 9 of FHWA’s Interim Policy identifies 14 points that the corridor management plans must include. If you plan to rely on other plans or documents rather than a separate corridor management plan, how do the other plans address the 14 points? • Information on existing designations for your byway, including the date and type of designation, e.g., state scenic byway designation, national forest scenic byway, etc. • Information on points of interest, route segments, and the access and use of your byway by pedestrians, bicyclists, and people in buses or cars, including any seasonal or vehicle access limitations. • The name, address, phone number, and email address for byway contacts, including the byway leader, byway organization, contacts for marketing and traveler information, and your state scenic byway coordinator. Your Byway’s Story You also may want to start thinking and outlining how you to tell your byway story. Review the definitions of the intrinsic qualities in section 7 of FHWA’s Interim Policy. Did you complete an inventory of the resources along the byway as part of the corridor management plan development? Which resources and intrinsic qualities are significant from a multi-state regional or national standpoint? Which are special to your community in shaping and interpreting your byway’s story for the visitor? How has the byway helped you form new partnerships and heightened community pride in resources along the byway? How will national designation help take your byway where you want to go? The 2002 Guide to Your Byway As we noted earlier, the 2002 nomination is not about filling out an application. It’s all about telling your byway’s story and the crafting a guide to your byway from your community’s and a visitor’s perspective. Numerous people will be involved in reviewing your nomi- nation. Anyone may nominate a road for national designation but the nomination must be submit- ted through the state department of transportation. Your state scenic byway coordinator will need to determine if the byway possesses intrinsic qualities suffi- cient to merit nomination as a National Scenic Byway or All- American Road. To assist FHWA in its review, several experts from outside the Department of Transportation will provide an independent assessment using the nomination and designation criteria in FHWA’s Interim Policy. The Federal Highway Administrator and the Secretary of Transportation will decide which roads are designated in 2002. A special event will be held in Washington, DC. It may be in June, the same month as the designation events in 1998 and 2000. The significance of the resources, the continuity of experience, and community involvement and support are essential for national designation. Unless you share with us how national designation will help advance your vision, we cannot realize it from afar. You set a high standard for the byway through your leadership. All of the individuals involved in the review of the 2002 nomination will honor that standard through a careful, deliberate review of the information you provide. SIDEBAR: CONTENTS OF NOMINATION APPLICATION 1.Destination: Travelers’ Directions to the [name of byway] Directions from [insert nearby hub] Directions along the byway 2. The Byway Story Theme Abstract Destination unto itself [All-American only] Significant intrinsic qualities and resources along the byway Continuity of travelers’ experience The rest of the story 3.Portrait of the [Name of Byway] Slides - list of slides Maps - list map(s) Brochures - list brochures Other byway documents [CMP & other attachments] 4.Exploring the [Name of Byway] Points of interests Access & use of the byway Route segments 5.Community Support Existing designations Counties & cities Community involvement Corridor management plan 6.Byway Contacts Byway leader Marketing contact Byway organization Byway traveler information contacts Form preparer [just info – signature on cover page State scenic byways coordinator State signatory [just info – signature on cover page] Federal lands signatory [just info – signature on cover page] Learning Vacations Draw Visitors to the Byway PHOTO: A favorite field trip of Elderhostelers is a visit to Boldt’s Castle in the heart of New York’s Thousand Islands area. They learn about George Boldt’s cultural legacy and the tragic tale of a castle built for a woman who would never live there. Grandma will have some interesting vacation stories this year. After her Elderhostel week along the Seaway Trail (National Scenic Byway), she can tell you about Great Lakes history, lighthouses, fisheries, and birding. In addition to her souvenirs, she’s bringing home a greater understanding and appreciation of this beautiful New York region and its residents. In an innovative partnership, the Seaway Trail Foundation has teamed up with Elderhostel, Inc. to bring groups to their byway. Elderhostel has been offering study-travel opportunities for over 25 years. These high- quality, affordable, educational adventures are for adults ages 55 and older. Elderhostel programs are offered year- round throughout the United States and in more than 70 countries worldwide. Along with non-profit organizations such as the Seaway Trail, groups that host Elderhostel programs include colleges, conference centers, state and national parks, museums, theaters, envi ronmental/outdoor education centers, and many others. Participants learn more details about the area they visit than what regular vacations provide. Byway leader Teresa Mitchell believes that Elderhostel is a good fit with the National Scenic Byways Program. The Seaway Trail Foundation develops its own unique program and selects subject matter, lecturers and activities. The Elderhostel organization sets requirements for accommodations, meals and programming. For example, a six-night program must contain at least 22 hours of solid educational content. Group size is limited to 42 participants (a busload). If the minimum group size is not met, a session is cancelled. Seaway Trail hostelers stay in historic Sackets Harbor and enjoy a variety of workshops and tours to learn about history, nature, and culture along the 454-mile byway. Participants gain an in-depth knowledge of the region through field trips to regional farms, parks, lighthouses, fisheries, historic sites, and attractions.Local people act as instructors and field instructors. It’s a chance to see things through the eyes of residents who live and work in the area. Mitchell explained that Elderhostel visitors have access to resources the average tourist wouldn't be able to tap into. For example, a well-known architect with a summer home in the are a has donated time to teach people about area architecture. That type of experience doesn’t happen on a typical vacation. The weeklong Seaway Trail agenda also includes soft educational experiences and entertainment. Evenings might offer opportunities to learn about brewing beer, yoga, and antiques. Folks enjoy outdoor picnics at a lighthouse, meals at local restaurants, and even dinners served by community church groups. Learning while on vacation is an increasing priority for Americans. Research by the Travel Industry Association confirms that the learning aspect of travel is important to U.S. travelers, with one in five adults—30.2 million— having taken an educational trip to learn or improve a skill, sport or hobby in the past three years. When the first wave of baby boomers—about 3.2 million of them—reach retirement age between 2010 and 2015, they will be seeking new pursuits and new travel experiences. Elderhostel programs attract a diverse set of people. Most, but not all, participants are retired. They typically range in age from their mid-50s to their early 80s, and their occupational backgrounds include everything from engineering to teaching to ministry. They share one thing in common: an openness to new ideas. They not only want to live longer, but to live longer, better. “Over the four years we’ve been doing this, I’ve noticed what appears to be a healthier, more active senior,” said Mitchell. “They’re healthier and they want to do more.” America’s Byways have a lot to offer visitors who are seeking educational and life-enriching travel experiences. Byway organizations interested in Elderhostel partnerships must obtain 501(c)(3) status. To find out more about the Elderhostel program, visit: www.elderhostel.org or call (877) 426-8056. Making the Grade with the Indiana National Road Association’s School Recognition Program One hundred and fifty years ago, Conestoga wagons and pioneers on horseback and foot moved along a road that passes by the front door of many Indiana schools. Students often laugh when they hear about the stagecoach driver that deliberately d rove over a large hole in the road, upending Martin Van Buren into a mud puddle, in hopes of getting Congressional funds to fix the road. The National Road was America’s first national highway running from Maryland to Illinois. President Jefferson signed legis- lation in 1806 authorizing federal funds to build the first section of the 600-mile National Road. PHOTO: Elementary students learned about the history of the National Road by presenting a skit written by the Indiana National Road Association.They enthusiastically added costumes, props, music, and special guests such as parents, grandparents, and news reporters. The Indiana National Road Association (INRA) created an innovative program to promote interest in teaching and learning about the history of the National Road among students, parents, and faculty. The program has recognized every school on or within one block of the Indiana National Road with individual school ceremonies. The successful project has involved three colleges, four high schools, four middle schools, and nineteen elementary schools. The presentation ceremonies were changed to suit the grade levels and circumstances at each school. “During the ceremony, each school was presented with a framed Indiana National Road School certificate honoring the school’s important location on this historic road,” said INRA committee member Joy Sacopulos. “They also received a special Indiana National Road School notebook containing a collection of educational resources about the road.” The notebook included a description of the program's purpose, a history of the road taken from the National Road Corridor Management Plan, important milestones in the road's history, a video, and a list of suggested projects for learning about the historic National Road. Student involvement was a key factor. A skit that includes students as historical characters was written for the elementary school programs. “Some went all out with elaborate costumes and invitations to parents, grandparents, and the press,” said Sacopulos. Elementary students sang original songs, drew murals, and attended all- school assemblies. At middle schools and high schools, presentations were made to American history classes and over closed-circuit television to the entire student body. INRA members were invited to present the school recognition certificate at a college President’s Council meeting. Another university hosted a special tea for faculty, administration, and student government representatives. The greatest benefit was the number of people and communities who were reached by working with schools. Nearly two hundred teachers and school administrators and several thousand students across the state have learned about the National Road. “This was an ambitious project, but one that we feel very good about,” noted Joy Sacopulos. “It generated a lot of interest in the history of the National Road, and this is what we hoped to accomplish.” The IRNA now hopes to sponsor a similar program to include churches on and near the historic road. For more information, contact: Joy Sacopulos at jsacopulos@aol.com or (812) 234-2718. Top Ten Tips for Working with Consultants Courtesy of Dean Johnson, Resource Strategies Corporation, Minnetonka, MN 10. When fishing for cost estimates/ scope of services, simply call a few consultants to get advice or use the RFQ (request for qualifications) process to select a firm to help with the scope and budget; then negoti- ate with that firm or prepare an RFP. 9. Don't hesitate to reveal what the budget is and what your expec- tations are; consultants will help determine whether the two match. 8. Always check references to see whether the consultant has fulfilled other client's expectations. 7.Interviews will often reveal whether the consultant is a good fit. 6. If interviews will be used in the RFQ or RFP (request for proposals) process, specify the dates for the interviews. 5. Ask consultants to identify relevant experience in the RFQ/RFP. 4. Require consultants to specify what individuals will do the work and what the budget per person is. 3. When interviewing, require those who will do the work to do the interview. 2. Be as specific with the scope of services as possible; include a budget when possible. 1. Use an RFQ process to select potential consultants. Then use a short-list RFP for competitive proposals/selection. Scenic America Opens Nominations for “Last Chance Landscapes 2001” Scenic America, a national scenic conservation organization, is now accepting nominations for its 2001 Last Chance Landscapes program. Endangered landscapes include places of beauty or distinctive community character with both a pending threat and a potential solution. Nomination forms will be accepted until June 1, 2001. A Last Chance Landscape can be a scenic vista, a distinct region, an urban neighborhood, or some other place people cherish and want to preserve. Scenic America will judge nominations on the scenic quality and/or distinct character of the area, the extent and urgency of the threat,and the opportunities to save the landscape. For more information: Last Chance Landscape nomination forms are available at Scenic America’s website, http://www.scenic.org, or by calling Scenic America at (202) 543-6200, ext 12. There is no fee to submit a nomination. Research Corner Tourists Discuss Important Aspects of Minnesota Highways by Linda Limback formerly with the Tourism Center, University of Minnesota (St. Paul) Sometimes, encouraging a group to talk about an issue in a structured, formatted way provides insight to help design more formal follow-up studies. In research funded by the University of Minnesota Center for Transportation Studies, five focus groups—that is, directed group discussions—were held in August 2000 with tourists along two of Minnesota’s nationally designated byways. After a pretest, 37 tourists participated in 1 hour and 15 minute discussion sessions over a complimentary dinner at either Itasca State Park at the headwaters of the Mississippi River (Great River Road National Scenic Byway), or the community of Grand Marais along the North Shore All-American Road. The objectives were to gain a better understanding of: 1. How roads are perceived by tourists 2. How roads impact a tourist’s travel experience 3. Tourist preferences for certain attributes and amenities of road design, maintenance and service Some of the major topics for systematic inquiry follow, and will be explored in subsequent written surveys: • The travelling public classifies roads by number of lanes, speed limit, surface type, or use—but a consistent 3-way categorization seems to exist for interstates and limited access 4-lanes, other roads, and scenic back roads. • The groups recognized the official, scenic designation. One panelist described it: “This isn’t your average road. Maybe an ‘ooh’ factor every 2 miles, and an ‘aah’ every 5 miles.” They were less aware of memorial highways, wildflower routes, and heritage routes. • Tourists use the slower more scenic routes either on their way to, or while at a destination (rarely on return trip). • They expected fewer service amenities along scenic routes. However, they expected good surfaces on all the paved roads, especially those to recreation trails and other public facilities. Roads near designated Wilderness areas were exempt from this expectation. • Participants notice more recreation along the highways than in the past, and supported safe alternatives for walking and biking as part of highway design. • When asked about signing for tourism, each group quickly criticized billboard proliferation. In lengthier discussion, the groups indicated a clear distinction between helpful, informational signs versus blatant commercialism. Standardized signage systems like TODS (Tourist Oriented Directional Signing), logos, and color-consistency received broad support. • Minnesota’s rest areas received positive reviews, with strong opposition to any commercial development there. Travelers perceived “rest area” to mean bathroom availability. Many expected to find picnic tables and monuments describing the area. • Comments that appear to endorse the flexible highway design/context-sensitive design (CSD) emerged. One such remark: “I like for scenic roads to be smaller and I don’t want them to cut down the trees that make it scenic to begin with. I don’t mind if it winds around.” In comments about the specific roads, it became clear that the North Shore Scenic Drive (U.S. Highway 61) has a special place in the Minnesota psyche. If people can love a road, this is it. The many repeat visitors showed a strong attachment to the landscape. While the ongoing reconstruction was widely lauded in terms of surface conditions and passing lanes, many felt the quality of the driving experience was not as good as in the past. Increased traffic and vehicle speed, compounded by high design standards, seemed to explain the cautious reaction to the improvements. RV users comprised a significant segment of travelers at the northern Minnesota research session along the Great River Road. They pre- ferred scenic routes, but pressured for wider shoulders and full-service service stations (for repairs). For more information: The 20-page focus group report, with facilitator’s guide, provides a wealth of user comments about leisure travel. Contact Barb Koth at the Resource Center, who was a member of the projects Technical Advisory Panel. Off the Shelf Family and Community Leadership Training Manual Oregon State University Extension (Corvallis) $50 (big loose-leaf notebook) Order from: (541) 737-8751 or dina.pope@orst.edu Ask for the new March 2001 update. Major topic areas: • Leadership • Group Process • Public Policy • Teaching Others Presenter Sharon Cartwright repeatedly referenced this valuable workbook at the Oregon statewide byways workshop held earlier this year. It contains a series of training outlines and materials designed to build leadership capacity in the community, and is a comprehensive resource for any citizen or group bringing partners together for a common goal. With step-by-step directions for leading a workshop, the workbook presents several activities to use with community groups, plus ready-to-copy handouts and overheads. It also includes a list of possible steps to take before each workshop to help organize and coordinate the players. How to Make Meetings Work Michael Doyle and David Straus Jove (paperback) 299 pages Available through various retailers or on-line at Amazon.com; Mass Market Paperback -298 pages Reprint edition (September 1993) Berkley Pub Group; List Price: $7.50/ Amazon.com price: $6.75 *used copies also available on-line, starting at $4.90 Oregon presenters also extolled the virtues of this classic on running better meetings (as we did at the Louisville national conference!). For those of you new to the byway community, this practical book provides guidance on preparing agendas and setting up the room, how-to record the group memory, and what to do with “problem people.” And much, much more! Driving the Byways North Shore Scenic Drive in Minnesota Byway Length: 123 miles; Two Harbors to Grand Portage, Minnesota Designation: May 1999 (State) June 2000 (All-American Road) PHOTO: The Split Rock Lighthouse was one of the most important beacons of light in Great Lakes shipping history. Now, the lighthouse and the adjacent grounds are popular for visiting families, photographers, and maritime enthusiasts. Unique Features: The North Shore Scenic Drive allows travelers to experience many unique natural and geological features. The Drive follows the shoreline of one of the world’s largest lakes, Lake Superior, which contains 10% of the world’s fre s h water supply. This highly publicized Drive presents a marvelous road to travel, never running too far from the lakeside and often revealing splendid views from the bluffs to seemingly boundless blue water. Visitors experience a landscape hardly altered from its original state. The North Shore’s spectacular topography began a billion years ago when molten basalt erupted from the mid- continental rift. The Sawtooth Mountains framing the North Shore are remnants of ancient volcanoes. The glaciers that descended from Canada 25,000 years ago scoured the volcanic rock into its current configuration. Cascading rivers coming down from the highlands into Lake Superior continue reshaping the landscape today. Travelers will find many points of interest along the corridor that reveal the region’s rich and colorful heritage—a past enlivened by settlers attracted to the area’s bounty of natural resources. Many examples exist along the route, from the Voyageur era at Grand Portage National monument to more recent times at Split Rock Lighthouse State Historic Monument and the Edna G. steam tugboat National Monument in Two Harbors. A host of interpretive resources and festivals keep this heritage alive, allowing travelers to learn and experience the story of the North Shore’s inhabitants. PHOTO: The North Shore Scenic Drive provides outstanding recreational opportunities. The trail infrastructure allows visitors and residents to explore the corridor on foot, bicycle, snowmobile, and kayak. The North Shore Scenic Drive has one of the greatest trail systems in the nation. Parallel to the corridor, the system accommodates any travel visitors desire to use to experience parts of the North Shore and provides opportunities for a variety of recreational experiences. • The Superior Hiking Trail stretches 200 miles from Two Harbors to the Canadian Border, connecting the eight state parks and giving people an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty and vistas from the highlands and cliffs. • The Lake Superior Water Trail allows visitors to travel the coastline of Lake Superior by kayak. The trail uses public land for designated rest areas and will eventually join the Lake Superior Water Trail encircling all of Lake Superior. • The Gitchi Gami Trail is planned to accommodate bicyclists, pedestrians and inline skaters following the right of way of the North Shore Scenic Drive. Seventeen miles of trail have already been funded and will be constructed before 2004. The entire trail will stretch from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Projects The first project for this new All- American Road will be to develop an Interpretive Plan for the byway. The planning process will be a collaborative effort between the North Shore Scenic Drive Committee and the MnDNR, which manages eight state parks along the North Shore. The beginning of this planning process will coincide with the completion of an Interpretive Plan for another segment of the North Shore Scenic Drive from Duluth to Two Harbors. The North Shore Scenic Drive submitted a FY 2002 Scenic Byway Discretionary grant proposal for this project. Organization The North Shore Scenic Drive Committee (currently staffed by the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission) is a group comprised of business owners, tourism experts, engineers, artists, and planners along the North Shore of Lake Superior. The Committee developed a Strategic Plan in March 2000. The plan established five subcommittees (Infrastructure, Steering, Planning, Research, and Marketing) charged with the implementation of the short-term objectives. For more information, contact: Andrew Bramson Senior Planner Arrowhead Regional Development Commission 221 West First Street Duluth, MN 55802 800-232-0707 (phone) 218-529-7592 (fax) abramson@ardc.org (e-mail) Intelligent Transportation Systems: The Future Of Information Exchange What are Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS)? Based on information presented at the annual ITS Workshop in March, lots of cool stuff! In addition to familiar applications such as on-ramp meters and safer railroad crossings, other ITS projects profiled included: • Intelligent vehicle initiatives such as automatic vehicle guidance featuring reactive forces in the steering wheel that return the vehicle to a center position • Virtual weigh stations and electronic truck credentials • Collision-avoidance technology using magnetic tape, radar and GPS (testing now in snowplows, emergency vehicles and patrol cars) • Automatic visibility measurement using preprogrammed sensors to change signboard messages such as fog alerts • Automatic-collision notification systems For an easy way to see your state’s involvement, check out the U.S. Department of Transportation’s ITS Web site with clickable maps (www.its.dot.gov/staterpt/state.htm). But what does this mean for scenic byways, especially in rural areas? Certainly ITS remains in flux, but watch for some of these applications: Variable Message Signs Several presenters talked about variable message signs (VMS), including mounted or temporary signboards that post dynamic messages or changeable speed limits. A new portable traffic management system can feed camera information to an operator who controls (or pre-programs) variable message sign(s). With quick setup, it is especially adapted for special event or construction zone use. Advanced Traveler Information Systems The evolution of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) looks promising. In congested urban areas, real-time data collection on weather, crashes, road conditions, travel times and shoulder lane use, is shared with the public or through private brokers. Details can then be disseminated through the Internet, email, in- vehicle systems, kiosks, or VMS, plus radio, television and the telephone. ATS is expected to eventually include tourist information—also known as travel concierge services or m(obile)-commerce—using wireless handheld devices. In-vehicle navigation computers linked to tourist information is presently more advanced in Europe than the U.S. www.TripUSA.com is an existing Web site that aggregates and presents weather, road, construction and travel information. Nationwide 5-1-1 Traveler Information Nationally, 5-1-1 has been assigned as an abbreviated dialing code to be used exclusively for access to travel information services. Automatic Transit Locators Automatic transit locators allow users to see when the next shuttle or bus will arrive. The Acadia National Park along the Acadia All-American Road already uses this system. PHOTO: A variable message sign in Glenwood Canyon, Colorado. VMS can also be portable, stand alone message boards. ITS Could Drive Future Plans Advocates envision Intelligent Transportation Systems becoming as much a part of transportation systems as pavement and community planning. With that future in mind, the National Scenic Byways Resource Center has contracted with the American Recreation Coalition to study ITS applications for scenic byways, and results will be presented at the National Scenic Byways Conference in Portland, Oregon, August 26-29. As these technologies continue to adapt to people, ITS may help increase safety, improve roads, support law enforcement, create safer vehicles and enhance driver education. See www.itsa.com for further information. Stay tuned! Field Notes Columbia River Gorge Bike Map Highlights Routes And Scenery Bring your bike to Oregon for the August conference and enjoy the scenery safely using the new Columbia River Gorge Bike Map. Developed and printed by the Oregon DOT, the Columbia River Gorge Bike Map contains information on the location of interpretive signs, historic sites, state parks, lodging and bike repair shops, and offers data on roadway steepness and climate, with safety tips and a mileage chart. Three routes between Portland and The Dalles (the Historic Columbia River Highway All- American Road, State Route 14 in Washington, and Interstate 84) have been color-coded to explain shoulder widths to help decide the best places to ride. The Washington State DOT will fund the second-edition printing. PHOTO: Columbia River Gorge Bike Map Oregon DOT, 15 pages; Free.Available at Gorge retailers; also on-line: www.odot.state.or.us/region1/f_ hcrh/news_111400.htm Context-Sensitive Design Training in Minnesota Eugene Cleckley, the Federal Transportation (Mn/DOT) and Highway Administration’s local transportation leaders as part Director of Field Services-South of Minnesota’s continuing train- for the Federal Highway in in Context-Sensitive Design Administration Resource Center (CSD). CSD is a collaborative, (Atlanta), recently spoke to interdisciplinary approach that 55 trainees plus a number of considers the total context—the Minnesota Department of physical setting, scenic, aesthetic, historic, community/neighborhood, and environmental resources—within which a transportation improvement project will exist. Sponsored by the University of Minnesota’s Center for Transportation Studies for the Mn/DOT and the FHWA, the 3-day training brought together a group of invited Mn/DOT employees and key stakeholder group representatives for the second-ever training event on this topic. The first workshop was held in May 2000, as part of Minnesota’s role as one of five CSD pilot states. In addition to his review of Environmental Leadership activities taking place in the South, Cleckley’s luncheon remarks provided a vision for collaborative problem-solving, consensus building, and shared decision-making in transportation. Mr. Cleckley called for interdisciplinary working groups that span engineering and non- engineering perspectives, with teams that include community residents, planners, engineers, environmentalists, the public, etc., and designers working together. He also made a poignant appeal for professional transformation so that staff can use both head and heart in their work. “You have permission to be passionate about CSD,” he said. Certainly, scenic byways represent on-the-ground opportunities for application of CSD concepts. In fact, Mr. Cleckley’s remarks cente red on personal and past experiences with MnDOT dating back to 1973, as well as results from an FHWA study of three private corporations and three DOTs that became environmentally conscious. He also drew from his experiences with facilitating environmental leadership seminars with more than ten State DOTs a round the country. He suggests that a transformation journey is needed if CSD is to become standard operating procedure. SIDEBAR: The Big 8 Of CSD Integration Eugene Cleckley, the FHWA’s Director of Field Services-South for the FHWA Resource Center, believes the following factors are needed to make an institutional change that puts CSD as the standard operating procedure: 1. Top-level organizational commitment 2. Institutionalization of the CSD ethic so that it becomes a normal way of doing business 3. Well-defined policies 4. Communication of the CSD policy throughout the ranks,with training to reinforce the concepts 5. A change in the organizational culture 6. Testing of the new concept daily, in everyday small decisions 7. Rewards for those who do good, and vice versa 8. Later (not initially) assessment to determine if the organizational structure is conducive to accomplishing the goal Friendraise Before You Fundraise One of the biggest oversights in fundraising is that too much time is spent on attempting to raise money from strangers. Successful fundraisers make friends before they fundraise. Remember that friendraising is energy intensive, rather than fund intensive. However, when people know what you are about, they are more willing to provide the support that you will be requesting. Why People Give And Support • People will give because of personal relationships. This is the money that can be raised by the son, niece, or neighbor. This is also the alumnae or the former staff members who are often forgotten as a source of support. Try to think of who likes you! • People will give when there are clearly stated goals and missions. Support will come for a new scoreboard, rather than for a contribution to the activity fund. • People will give when they are confident that their contribution can make a difference. • People will give when they receive a quality product at a good price. When you are selling to your friends, this becomes most important. • People will give when there is something in it for them. It is much easier to ask for the support of a small business owner in your community when your school does business with his or her store. Approach the individual rather than the corporation. How Many Friends Can You Raise? There is an old rule called the 5 - 30 - 45 - 20 Rule. When applied to your fundraising potential audience it works like this: When an appeal for help is launched: • 5% will respond immediately • 30% will respond when told how to support • 45% will respond when they are persuaded to support • 20% will not respond at all. Many fundraising attempts fail because they only rely on the initial 5%. They fail to realize that good fundraising is 90% research. When you concentrate on friendraising, you are able to reach 80% of your audience rather than just the first 35%. Reprinted with permission. Copyright © Canadian Association of Student Activity Advisors. Fundraising Fundamentals 1. You have to ask for what you want. 2. People respond to people, not paper. 3. People want to know what they are supporting. 4. Money is attracted by strength. 5. Wealth and generosity are not related. 6. Pity works once. 2001 Calendar Send calendar entries by the 5th of each month to center@byways.org 2001 APRIL April 18-20, 2001 Seeds of the Future Workshop Hosted by the Environmental Management Office of the Department of Transportation along with FHWA Orlando, Florida Contact Nancy Hummel at (850) 922-7206 April 23-25, 2001 West Virginia Byways/Backways Conference Martinsburg Holiday Inn Contact Rebecca Davison at (304) 558-3165 or rdavison@dot.state.wv.us April 29 – May 2, 2001 “ Partnerships: Preserving the Past, Managing the Present, Planning the Future.” 2001 NARRP Conference Sponsored by NARRP, USDA Forest Service, & National Park Service Baltimore,Maryland (801) 733-2662 or www.narrp.org MAY May 2, 2001 Conference Call for Byway Leaders National Scenic Byways Resource Center For more information, please call: (800) 429-9297, ext. 5 or mjohnson@byways.org May 6-12, 2001 National Tourism Week (651) 296-1880 May 12-19, 2001 National River Cleanup Week www.americaoutdoors.org/nrcw/nata0.10.htm (865) 558-3595 May 29-30, 2001 Florida Scenic Highways Program Statewide Workshop Orlando, Florida Buddy Cunill, State Coordinator (850) 922-7207 or buddy.cunill@dot.state.fl.us JUNE June 3-5, 2001 National Edge City Conference Schaumburg Marriott Hotel Schaumburg, Illinois Contact Len Carna at (847) 619-7282 or lencarna@roosevelt.edu June 6, 2001 Conference Call for Byway Leaders National Scenic Byways Resource Center For more information, please call: (800) 429-9297, ext. 5 or mjohnson@byways.org JULY July 11-13, 2001 The Inaugural Conference of the United States Society for Ecological Economics Duluth, Minnesota www.ussee.org July 11, 2001 Conference Call for Byway Leaders National Scenic Byways Resource Center For more information, please call: (800) 429-9297, ext. 5 or mjohnson@byways.org July 22-25, 2001 The Times They Are A Changing: Working Partnerships for Viable Communities 2001 International Summit on Community & Rural Development Duluth, Minnesota www.minnsotaruralpartners.org July 27-28, 2001 Balancing the Protection and Promotion of Historic Roads Rocky Gap Lodge Cumberland, Maryland Scott Zimmerman or Becky Lawin (765) 478-3172 or HLFIERO@infocom.com AUGUST August 1, 2001 Conference Call for Byway Leaders National Scenic Byways Resource Center For more information, please call: (800) 429-9297, ext. 5 or mjohnson@byways.org August 17-21, 2001 7th Conference on National Scenic and Historic Tr a i l s Radisson Hotel Conference Center Casper, Wyoming NATTRAILS@aol.com August 24-25, 2001 Interpretive Planning for Byways Pre-conference Workshop Bend, Oregon (800) 429-9297 ext. 5 or mjohnson@byways.org August 26-29, 2001 Celebrating the Journey: National Scenic Byways Conference Portland, Oregon (800) 429-9297 ext. 5 or mjohnson@byways.org 2002 April 21-24, 2002 Scenic Summit for America’s Communities, Countryside, and Public Lands Denver, Colorado www.scenicsummit.com Scenic America Seeks Director of Development Scenic America is a national non- profit conservation organization whose mission is to protect natural beauty and distinctive community character. This position, reporting directly to the President, offers excellent o pportunities for a hard - working individual looking to grow with an organization. The Director will develop and implement fundraising strategies to increase revenue, diversify Scenic Americas funding base, expand member ship, increase key volunteers’ involvement, and strengthen the long-term financial security of the organization. To apply, please the SA website: http://www.scenic.org. Then send a cover letter, resume, current salary, and two recent writing samples to: President, Scenic America 901 Pennsylvania Ave SE Suite #300 Washington, DC, 20003 or fax to (202) 543-9130; or email scenic@scenic.org. National Scenic Byways Resource Center Arrowhead Regional Development Commission 227 West First Street, Suite 610 Duluth, MN 55802 SIDEBAR: VISTAS is printed on 100% post consumer recycled paper, processed chlorine free.