On April 20, 2016, more than 100 people joined Scenic Knoxville at the East Tennessee History Center for a celebration of eight years of successful advocacy and accomplishments in Knox County.

Mary Tracy presents the Stafford Award to the Scenic Knoxville Board of Directors on April 20, 2016

Formed in 2008, Scenic Knoxville has worked hard to achieve victories including bans on digital billboards in the city and county, and a new city sign code that will dramatically improve Knoxville’s appearance over time.

Mary Tracy, president of Scenic America, was the keynote speaker and presented the Stafford Award to Scenic Knoxville in recognition of the group’s focused and sustained campaign to preserve and enhance scenic beauty in Knoxville city and county.

“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,” Tracy said.

Tracy also gave a presentation to the group on Taking the Long View, Scenic America’s new white paper and blueprint for scenic conservation action.

Julie Webb, a Scenic Knoxville board member, was honored for her years of dedication and commitment to scenic conservation in Tennessee. She was presented with a plaque by Knoxville News Sentinel political cartoonist Charlie Daniel, who has drawn numerous cartoons in support of scenic conservation and Scenic Knoxville over the years.

The Stafford Award is named for former U.S. Senator Robert Stafford of Vermont, for his concern for the environment and efforts to strengthen federal highway beautification laws. 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.