Scenic Beauty

It's in our name and it's what we are striving toward: making Minnesota an even more beautiful place to live and to visit. Unfortunately, aesthetics too often get trumped by bad policy and plain old greed. Beauty does cost a little more, but in the long run, it is worth it.

Billboard Advertising

A slow battle has been building across Minnesota for the control of our roadways and scenic views. Many of our highways, parks, streets, neighborhoods and scenic vistas are despoiled by billboards. Billboard advertising is different than any other form of advertising in that it is non-participative, you aren't asked if you'd like to look at an advertisement. Billboard companies are selling something they do not own - the public’s collective field of vision, and billboard companies use every trick known to thwart municipalities’ efforts to regulate their own sign codes. Do we have to be sold while driving?

Minnesota’s Tourism Industry: A Huge Asset For The State

In Minnesota, tourism is a $10 billion industry, and tourism and agriculture are now about equal slices in the state’s economic pie. Tourism and agriculture both depend on natural resources. When we protect our natural resources, we protect our economy. Billboards are a form of pollution. They interfere with our scenic views and mar the landscape. The latest development of electronic billboards replacing older signboards has caused great concern. Swaths of public trees are cut (and cut down) at taxpayers’ expense to provide clearer sightlines for private billboards. It shouldn’t have to be this way. We understand the rights of property, but we question why municipalities can't regulate this at a local level.

Taking It To The Capitol

A large part of our efforts at Scenic Minnesota is advocating for changes at the Minnesota State Capitol. We seek moratoriums on digital billboard construction, and we seek to have the State return to local authorities the power to amortize.

Please Support Scenic Minnesota

Through your tax-deductible contribution to Scenic Minnesota, we will continue to work toward making Minnesota a more beautiful and vibrant place to live. Thank you!