Welcome to Scenic Minnesota!
We are a citizen based advocacy organization dedicated to creating, preserving and enhancing the beautiful environment of our state. We strongly believe that beauty is important to the well being and mental health of our citizens. That’s why we strive to eliminate noise and light pollution, intrusive advertising and other elements that negatively impact our safety and health.
In the last decade the level of real estate development has increased exponentially often at the expense of natural resources and beauty. Urban sprawl has occurred everywhere, but, according to some measures, Minnesota is second only to Georgia in its effects. The construction of miles of new and enlarged roads along low density development areas has encouraged the growth of hundreds of new strip malls and more intrusive outdoor advertising. During this time, billboards have become larger and more invasive with extensions and brighter lights in more prominent locations. Now, there is a new urgency with the introduction of digital billboards, which are incredibly profitable at our expense. Several recent studies note significant highway safety issues because of their potential for brightness and rapid image change, which distract motorists and can cause accidents.
We invite you to join our cause by becoming a member of Scenic Minnesota. We are in the process of developing a membership structure. What began as a crusade to reduce billboards in Saint Paul with scenicsaintpaul.org has now grown into our commitment to promote all of Minnesota’s scenic beauty. And to protect our valuable resource from degradation.
Scenic Minnesota is part of the Scenic America affiliate network.
Ossian Or, Executive Director, Scenic Minnesota