Scenic Georgia, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization that is dedicated to preserving and enhancing Georgia's scenic values. Experience has shown that the natural course of events will degrade those values. Development of various types will decrease the natural scenic qualities and without a scenic awareness, even our built environment will suffer from lack of attention.

Fortunately, many of our elected officials and development resources in the state are recognizing the value of scenic qualities not only to our every day life but to the economic factors in Georgia. But too many times, our local and state decisions need to be reminded of these facts.

It is interesting to hear the tradition arguments that favor development without scenic awareness, when in reality, just the opposite is true. No visitors go to a state for a vacation and return talking about the great billboards they visited - most often, just the opposite is true. Georgia is increasing becoming a 'pass through' state where tourists simply drive through, spending money for gas and food along the way, but not stopping for extended time periods.

The tourist destinations in our country that enjoy the most success are those that pay attention to not only the tourist attractions, but also pay attention to the experience that the traveler has on the way to the tourist attraction. Some states that have the best tourist component to their economy have banned billboards entirely. Destinations pay especial attention to sign control once the visitor reaches their destination.

Scenic Georgia, Inc. is not only about reasonable sign control although that is where a considerable amount of energy must be expended due to the influence of local and state elected official decision making. We want to encourage a state wide 'scenic awareness' not only among our elected officials but also among our schools. As our children grow up, they develop a baseline of acceptance of numerous issues. One of those is what they see everyday. If they grow up with clutter and degraded environments, they come to accept it as normal. They need to be aware that this is not normal and is a choice.

We hope you will join Scenic Georgia, Inc. We can only be successful if local citizens get active and contribute not only money but time and energy as well.

Thank you for your interest. We will be glad to answer any questions and to receive your comments.