Congratulations to NSBF Award Winners for 2022
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Congratulations to NSBF Award Winners for 2022

By June 30, 2022 July 5th, 2022 No Comments

 

Congratulations to our 2022

Byway Organization Award Winners

 

 

Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway

Byway Enhancement Award

 

Rangeley Lakes Heritage Trust led the enhancements on the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway with the installment of the Rangeley Region Wayfinding System. The RRWS features beautifully designed welcome and directional signs to guide visitors from the North, South, East, or West and through our region. The Rangeley Region Wayfinding System and the Perlson Scenic Turnout provide visitors the tools to understand what makes the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway unique and exceptional. The RRWS directs visitors to the 16 key experiences related to our intrinsic qualities and tells a part of our story. The Perlson Scenic Turnout maps the region’s key experiences and tells the absolute story of the property and the related story of the fisheries restoration efforts in the Sandy River Valley.

Read more about the Rangeley Lakes National Scenic Byway at rlht.org/

Colorado Scenic and Historic Byways

Communications Award

Colorado’s diverse transportation system links all of us together, but most importantly takes us to places in our beautiful state that often go missed. The #ColoradoByways campaign on Instagram was a visual storytelling project that highlighted the rich history, beautiful landscapes, wildlife and more along each of the 26 Scenic and Historic Colorado Byways. Our goals were not only to educate and engage our followers on Instagram about Colorado’s Scenic Byways, but to also grow this channel to reach more travelers across colorful Colorado. For seven months (June – December), we showcased a new Colorado Byway weekly in different regions across the state. Using a byways map to strategically create an editorial calendar of which roadway we would feature based on best times to safely travel became an excellent twoway communication effort to reach travelers.

Read more about Colorado’s Scenic & Historic Byways www.codot.gov/travel/colorado-byways.

California Historic Route 66 Needles to Barstow

National Scenic Byway Hospitality Award

This California Byway strengthened their support and awareness of the Byway with the First Anniversary Celebration of national designation, by bringing in new partners and representatives from two other Route 66 states -Arizona and Illinois. The Celebration took place at the historic El Garces Harvey House and Depot with more than 300 attendees. Their 18 partners are diverse, but all with the common interest in Needles, Route 66 and the Mojave Desert. Native American Tribes, cowboys, outdoor enthusiasts, motorcyclists, and preservationists are among our partners. The Fort

Mojave Indian Tribe had an information table and beading demonstrations, reinforcing both the historic and cultural intrinsic qualities of the Byway. Members of the tribe were the laborers who built the El Garces and tribal members sold their wares trackside during the Harvey era. The Anul Cuwal Santa Isabel Needles Regional Museum was also open for visitors to learn more about the history and culture of the area. El Garces is located on the actual Byway- one of the original alignments of Route 66 through the town of Needles.

Read more about the CA Route 66 at www.route66ca.org/.

Covered Bridges Scenic Byway – Iowa

Interpretation Award

The winning Discovery Guide project was the creation of a 16-page booklet for the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway. The booklet contains an introduction to the byway, a two-page spread on each of our six byway stories/themes, contact information, and directions to the byway and our welcome centers. For each of our byway stories, the guide includes an overview, historic and current photographs, a featured asset, and a table of the sights to see. Each story’s spread was designed to mimic an interpretive panel, which we hope to one day manufacture and display along the byway.

Read more about the Covered Bridges Scenic Byway in Iowa at
www.madisoncounty.com/.

Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway – Nebraska
Leveraging Resources Award

The idea for a fundraising effort for our byway was created in October, 2007, when Sandhills Motel owners, Mitch and Patty Glidden, Mullen, NE organized the Polar Bear Tank Race (PBTR). It’s primary purpose was to put ‘heads in beds during slack tourism season.’

The second purpose was as a fundraiser for the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway. A soup cook-off and winners announced on the night before the race has been an integral part since it began. This is the 14th annual PBTR. Winners of the race are recognized on Saturday evening. Besides Glidden’s motel, participants are booked at the Roadside Inn, 30 minutes away in Thedford, Nebraska thus helping both communities along the byway. The tanks used are like those used by the ranchers to hold water for their livestock. Teams decorate themselves and their tanks adding to the fun. After all expenses, the Gliddens have gifted the SJSB every year between $6,000 and $7,500.
Read more about the Sandhills Journey National Scenic Byway at  www.sandhillsjourney.com/.

Natchez Trace Parkway – Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee
Partnership Award

The Natchez Trace Partners developed a COVID recovery strategic plan to recreate economic impact through travel and tourism. Our message was clear, “Explore the Trace, Discover America.” Our accompanying tag showcased our geographic location, “A Unique Journey from Natchez to Nashville.” Partners combined money from their individual DMOs and the state tourism offices to share information regarding COVID protocols, closures and openings of attractions, hotels and restaurants and activities that met socially distanced recommendations. One of our most impactful tactics was a public relations campaign designed to reach a larger audience without paying for costly advertising. We developed a socially- distanced itinerary for travel writers Kristin Luna of Camels & Chocolate and Wall Street Journal travel writer Andrew Nelson. Both writers came to the Natchez Trace and visited each of our communities. They shared how to safely experience the areas and captured stunning images to accompany the writings. Their results were phenomenal. Our complimentary advertising and social media posts communicated how safety protocols were being followed and how to vacation.
Read more about the Natchez Trace at www.scenictrace.com/.

Silver Thread National Scenic Byway – Colorado
Viewshed Improvement Award

The Silver Thread National Scenic Byway traverses the central San Juan Mountains along Lake San Cristobal, Colorado’s second largest natural lake. A community-driven purchase of the peninsula and adjacent islands on the Lake’s shoreline enhances the visitor’s experience along both the Silver Thread and Alpine Loop Scenic Byways.

The visitor experience is enhanced by 1) maintaining the visual corridor of the lake overlook; 2) creating additional activities along the byway with the enhanced outdoor recreation and lake shore access; 3) establishing an outdoor classroom site where eventual interpretive programs will be offered to byway visitors; 4) protecting the only archipelago in Colorado (a series of islands); 5) increasing the ADA fishing; and 6) increasing “spaces of solace” for byways visitors.
Read more about the Silver Thread National Scenic Byway at silverthreadbyway.com/.

Blue Ridge Parkway – North Carolina
Visitor Experience Award

The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation took on the challenge to restore the historic Bluffs Restaurant building. Partnering with the National Park Service, hundreds of donors, and other key stakeholders to successfully reopen to thousands of happy Parkway visitors. The Foundation secured a historic lease agreement with the National Park Service, raised $1 million from hundreds of donors, hired an experienced contractor to renovate the building, and teamed up with experienced restauranteurs to operated the facility. In 2021, the historic building reopened to welcome guests and provide a historic Parkway dining experience. Longtime diners came back after the lengthy hiatus, offer entering the facility in tears due to the emotions it stirred in them. The 2021 season was a resounding success, serving more than 27,000 customers in its first year of operation in over a decade.
Read more about the Blue Ridge Parkway All-American Road at  nps.gov/blri/index.htm. 

 

 

 

 

  • Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway-All-American Road (WY) Hospitality Award – Honorable Mention

Read more about Flaming Gorge Scenic Byway (WY) at www.tourwyoming.com/explore/scenic-byways.

  • Illinois Route 66 National Scenic Byway Partnership Award – Honorable Mention

Read about the Illinois Route 66 at www.Illinoisroute66.org/

  • Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway – Maine Viewshed Improvement – Honorable Mention

Read about the Old Canada Road National Scenic Byway at oldcanadaroadbyway.org