It is a maxim of preservation that “If you want to preserve something, first you have to find it.”  

Scenic Virginia’s mission is to preserve, protect, and enhance the scenic beauty and community character of the Commonwealth, with a particular focus on the preservation of our most significant viewsheds and on educating Virginians about the need to preserve these scenic resources through our Treasured Views program.

Treasured Views is a science-based, community-informed program designed to identify, assess, map, and catalog the views that define Virginia’s landscapes and sense of place. Developed over three years, the program draws on visual resource scholarship, original research, and established visual analysis practices, in collaboration with Virginia Tech, Virginia Commonwealth University, and William & Mary. The result is a repeatable methodology—now a nationally recognized model—that can be applied to diverse viewshed types across urban, rural, and natural settings.

What truly sets Treasured Views apart is its integration of measurable scenic qualities with community values. Traditionally, visual resource analysis has been conducted by consultants and professionals working for public agencies. Scenic Virginia expands access to these tools by providing training and technical support directly to communities and organizations, empowering them as active partners in documenting the places that matter most to them.

Through this collaborative process, treasured landscapes are identified, celebrated, and formally documented. A key outcome is the development of a statewide register of scenic views of outstanding significance, supported by a growing, centralized inventory of viewsheds from across the Commonwealth. This documentation informs conservation, land-use planning, and stewardship—building public awareness before special places are threatened or lost.

In 2026, Scenic Virginia is proud to partner with the Piedmont Environmental Council (PEC) to expand the Treasured Views program statewide. Together, we will bring this proven approach to more regions, empowering residents, planners, and conservation partners to protect Virginia’s visual and cultural identity.

For more information about Treasured Views and Scenic Virginia, go to:
Instagram: @scenicvirginia     
Facebook: @scenicvirginia.org
Email: email@scenicvirginia.org