TOPEKA – The National Scenic Byway Foundation recently announced the Inaugural 2020 Byway Organization Awards. Kansas had three winners that will receive recognition this fall on Oct. 27-29, at the Heartland Byways Conference in Leavenworth.

Native Stone Scenic Byway took top honors for the Scenic Viewshed Improvement Award. In 2007, a stone fence restoration workshop was developed to teach those who are interested in how ancestors built the existing historic stone fences 150 years ago. The biennial workshop project is ongoing, and 25 stone fences have been completed. The restored stone fences showcase the historic value in the preservation, education and use of the area’s plentiful “natural” Native Stone. Visitors can easily view the restored fences along the corridor of the Native Stone Scenic Byway.

Land & Sky Scenic Byway was awarded honorable mention for the Visitor Experience Award featuring the byway’s communities and points of interest during the Big Kansas Road Trip in May 2019. Lastly, the Kansas Byways Program was given honorable mention for the Interpretation Award for building new kiosks, remodeling older kiosks and placing interpretive panels at scenic turnouts, overlooks and viewing areas throughout the 12 Kansas Byways, including the Wetlands and Wildlife National Scenic Byway that connects Cheyenne Bottoms and the Quivira Wildlife Refuge.

“Traveling along the Kansas Byways is a great way to see our beautiful and unique landscapes, quaint towns, and historic attractions,” said Bridgette Jobe, director of Kansas Tourism. “Our byways serve as natural, social, cultural and economic resources for visitors, the people of Kansas and the communities along the byways.”

The Kansas Byways Program was formed to identify and designate scenic and historic roadways for the enjoyment of Kansas travelers. The program is a cooperative effort among citizens, local groups, local governments and state agencies. For more information, visit KSByways.com or nsbfoundation.com.