News & Updates
The latest from Scenic Michigan — advocacy updates, legislative news, and community stories.
Keep your eyes on the night sky this Labor Day Weekend!
As summer comes to a close the upcoming Labor Day weekend may be some of the last opportunities to travel north and experience some of the beautiful summer weather that Michigan has to offer.
Even When Discussing Dining, Billboards Take the Main Stage
Bon Appétit Magazine recently published an article about dining in southwestern Michigan (one of our most beautiful regions!)
We’ve Moved! And a thank you to the NEW Center in Ann Arbor
Our new address is: 602 W. Ionia Street, Lansing, MI 48933 We look forward to seeing mail from you come in to our new address!
Have you ever wondered about undergrounding utility lines?
Written by Connor SpencerInclement weather can lead to power outages seemingly during any season, re-sparking the debate of undergrounding electrical wires a...
Ice Climbing: Frozen Waterfalls in Tahquamenon Falls State Park
Tahquamenon’s frozen waterfalls are a unique thrill worth seeking this winter. When temperatures fall each year, these waterfalls can freeze in place, creating an entirely new scenic destination!
Dark Skies Travel Tips this Fall!
As fall rolls around in Michigan you may be tempted to cozy up and start the Halloween movie marathons, but this year Scenic Michigan challenges you to try something new. In these last couple of weeks, our atmosphere has been visited by the Orion meteor
Bird Migration and Light Pollution: Tips and Best Practices!
As we enter the month of November, bird migration starts to slow down but there is still a lot to look out for! If you’re a bird lover, there’s no better place to be than Michigan!
U.S. Supreme Court Sides with City of Austin over Reagan National Advertising Regarding On/Off Premise Signs
Last week the U.S. Supreme Court today ruled 6-3 in the case of the City of Austin v. Reagan National Advertising in favor of the City of Austin, recognizing...
Scenic Michigan Board of Directors Elects Peter A. Letzmann as President
The Scenic Michigan Board of Directors has elected Peter A. Letzmann as President, effective January 13, 2022. Most recently, Mr. Letzmann was Scenic Michiga...
Erica Briggs Wins Scenic Hero Award for 2022!
This week our President, Peter Letzmann, traveled to Ann Arbor to award their City Council Member Erica Briggs, former Executive Director of Scenic Michigan, our 2022 Scenic Hero award!
Meet Scenic Michigan's New Executive Director
Jake Parcell, Ph.DJake comes to Scenic Michigan by way of Wayne County, where he currently serves as the Deputy Director of the Wayne County Land Bank. Forme...
Scenic Michigan is Hiring our Next Executive Director
Are you passionate about the need to protect Michigan's scenic qualities? Do you have strong nonprofit management experience/and or professional urban planni...
Scenic Michigan Releases 2nd Edition of Michigan Sign Guidebook and Offers May Trainings
The U.S. Supreme Court’s 2015 decision in Reed v. Town of Gilbert significantly impacted local governments’ approach to sign regulation. The case’s...
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Frank Kelley
Scenic Michigan celebrates the life and legacy of Frank Kelley, Michigan’s attorney general from 1961-98, who died March 5 at the age of 96. Lauded across th...
Celebrating the “Magic of the Open Road” with Revival of the National Scenic Byways Program
Your support at work! Thank you, supporters of Scenic Michigan and Scenic America. We celebrate the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Feb. 16, ...
In Billboard Company’s Challenge to a Michigan Sign Ordinance, the Sixth Circuit Finds That Content-Based Commercial Speech Regulations Are Now Subject to Strict Scrutiny
Source Rocky Mountain Sign Law , Author Brian J. Connolly on September 15, 2020A billboard company’s challenge to the Troy, Michigan sign variance ...
Action Alert: Detroit Sign Ordinance threatens to flood City with light
This Thursday, March 5th at 10:40am the Detroit City Council will hold public hearings regarding the proposed amendments to Chapter 4 (Detroit Sign Ordinance...
Detroit Sign Ordinance Threatens To Bury City in Signs
1990 Detroit Free Press ArticleDetroit is working on a new sign ordinance. A good sign ordinance complements city planning efforts, enhances community aesthe...
Scenic Michigan 2018 Scenic Heros
Last night we presented Troy resident, Alec Peeples (Keep Troy Beautiful) and the City of Troy with Scenic Hero Awards! Thanks to good community organizing (...
Governor Snyder Vetoes SB 964
We have exciting news to report! Today, Governor Snyder vetoed SB 964. This bill, introduced by Senator Casperson, would have amended the Highway Advertisin...
2018 City Beautiful Essay Contest Winners
Last spring, Scenic Michigan and Keep Michigan Beautiful partnered together in a pilot project aimed at engaging high school students on the topic comm...
Scenic Michigan Ambassadors
Do you care deeply about protecting Michigan’s scenic resources? If so, we would love to have you join the Scenic Michigan Ambassador Program. Our mission is...
M-134 North Huron Scenic Byway
In 2015, M-134 was the first route to be designated as a Scenic Byway under the Pure Michigan Byways program, formally known as Michigan Heritage Routes. Thi...
Meet Our New Executive Director
Scenic Michigan’s board is excited to introduce our new executive director. In January, we hired Erica Briggs to lead Scenic Michigan. Erica worked closed wi...
Developing a Scenic Roadmap for Michigan
As you may recall from our last newsletter, thanks to the help of a generous donor, Scenic Michigan partnered with the Land Information Access Association in...
2018 City Beautiful Essay Contest
Scenic Michigan and Keep Michigan Beautiful are pleased to announce the launch of our City Beautiful Essay Contest. Each year, Scenic Michigan and Keep Mich...
Scenic Michigan Hires New Executive Director
Scenic Michigan’s board is excited to announce that Erica Briggs has been hired to serve as Scenic Michigan’s new Executive Director. Briggs comes to Scenic ...
President's Message—Good News, Bad News
The good news is that with the help of a major donor, we are completing a Michigan scenic road inventory, the first of its kind. These are roads that have al...
City of Livonia receives Scenic Hero Award
Award given to those who make a lasting contribution to preservation of scenic characterEach year, Scenic Michigan presents the Scenic Hero Award to individu...
What's in Your Sign Ordinance?
Excerpt reprinted with permission from, "What's In Your Sign Ordinance?", which appeared in the November 2016 issue of Township Focus magazine, from the Mich...
Scenic Michigan to work with Land Information Access Association to create scenic road map
Scenic Michigan is a coalition of grassroots organizations, elected officials, and interested citizens working to preserve and enhance the scenic quality of ...
Share Your Scenic City Photo Contest
Scenic Michigan is holding a photo contest! Submit a picture of your attractive community on Scenic Michigan's Facebook page or email to info@scenicmichigan....
Appeals court rules billboards remain banned in Livonia
http://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/wayne/2016/07/05/livonia-billbaords-city-ban/86725064/
Spring 2016 Newsletter
Jim LagowskiPresident’s MessageIn recent months, the Scenic Michigan Board of Directors and executive director have been working on a complete update of our ...
Spring 2015 Newsletter
Jim LagowskiPresident’s MessageSpring is the ultimate bringer of change… snow melts, flowers bloom, trees bud, and people feel a sense of renewal. This year ...
10th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival
Painting by artist Margaret TvedtenPlease join Scenic Michigan on Saturday, June 27, 2015, 4 to 7 P.M. for the 10th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival on the ba...
Fall 2014 Newsletter
President's MessageJim LagowskiA continuing thanks to a major donor whose support has made it possible to increase our outreach efforts with local communitie...
Pellston Couple Win Billboard Lawsuit
Billboard owner ordered to remove it.It took Elaine and Harold Sevener of Pellston nine months of diligent research and thousands of dollars in attorney's fe...
4th Annual Waterfront Wine Festival
Photos courtesy of Fred Gray.Over 500 people attended the 4th Annual 2009 Waterfront Wine Festival (June 26, 2009) benefiting Scenic Michigan, making it the ...
Scenic Michigan Presents 2007 Hero Award to Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association
Scenic Michigan has presented the 2007 Scenic Hero Award to the Leelanau Peninsula Vintners Association. Accepting the award for the Association, was Adam Sa...
Scenic Michigan Presents 2007 Hero Award to Senator Tom George
Scenic Michigan presented the 2007 Scenic Hero Award to Senator Tom George (R-Kalamazoo) at the Capitol on September 12, 2007. The award is given to individu...
Lamar's First Punch to Elmira Township
Issues: First Amendment free speech rights; Unlawful prior restraint on commercial speech; Township’s refusal to allow plaintiff to go forward with billboard...
Sign Size Limitation Okay
Issues: Zoning; Art Van Furniture v. City of Kentwood; Muskegon Area Rental Ass'n v City of Muskegon; Sign-size limitation; Variance denial; Sign-size calcu...
Sen. George Announces Legislation to Preserve Michigan's Natural Beauty
Senator Thomas George, R. 20th Dist., announced on December 5, 2003 legislation to preserve Michigan's beautiful vistas. Senator George was joined by former ...
EPIC/MRA Statewide Survey
Last fall, EPIC/MRA, a Lansing based survey research firm, conducted a survey with voters in Michigan about federal, state and local issues.Voters were asked...
Michigan State Senate Resolution
A Resolution Commemorating Scenic Michigan Day, April 22, 2003WHEREAS, it is with great respect for the natural beauty of our state and those who help preser...
Sen. George Amendment Bans FIA Billboards
News ReleaseSenator for the 20th DistrictTOM GEORGEState Capitol / Lansing, Michigan 48913PH (517) 373.0793 / FAX (517) 373.5607www.senate.michigan.gov/gop/s...
ROHE—Group Offers Advice on Billboard Control
Published in the Lansing State JournalFebruary 6, 2003Michigan has much to do in reducing signage along roadsTime is precious in our hectic lives. Often, we ...
Retired Librarian Takes on MDOT, Legislature Over Billboard Law
Dec. 6, 2002BY FRED GRAYPetoskey News-Review Staff WriterKINCHELOE — While driving along I-75 three years ago, retired prison librarian Jean Karrer of Kinche...
Wayne County Circuit Court Upholds Livonia's Billboard Ban
On November 28, 2001, Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Edward M. Thomas upheld Livonia's ban on billboards. The Livonia ordinance defined "Billboard" as: "A ...
Michigan Supreme Court Unanimously Empowers the City of Holland to Ban Construction of New Billboard
Issues: Whether sections of city’s zoning ordinance regarding signs were valid under the Michigan City and Village Zoning Act (CVZA); Home Rule Cities Act (H...
Supreme Court Rules City Doesn't Have to Pay for Billboard Ban
An East Lansing ordinance banning rooftop billboards does not qualify as a taking and the city does not owe compensation to the affected business, the Suprem...
Victory in ADAMS Advertising in Michigan
From Environmental Policy Project,Georgetown University Law CenterOn Wednesday, July 26, 2000, the Michigan Supreme Court issued a decision in Adams Outdoor ...