Past Events
History and Past Events for the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood Announces America’s Byways ® Designations for 2009
October 16, 2009
WASHINGTON – U. S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced 42 new designations to the America’s Byways® collection, including five All-American Roads and 37 National Scenic Byways in 26 states. This increases the number of America’s Byways® to 151.
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Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway Corridor Celebration
October 24, 2009
The Ocala NF helped celebrate the newly designated Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway
as a nationally designated Florida Scenic Highway on Oct. 24. The corridor was designated by the U.S. Secretary of Transportation and is now part of the America’s Byways collection of distinct and diverse roads in the nation. The day-long celebration was held at a 4-H camp on the forest. The Byway provides access to a mosaic of natural lands and communities that includes the Ocala’s Juniper Springs Wilderness Area and Florida National Scenic Trail. The National Forests in Florida are involved in the Byway program with other federal, state and private organizations including the Florida Department of Transportation, County offices, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, Florida Division of Forestry, Pioneer Settlement for the Creative Arts and St. Johns Water Management District.
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Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway State and Federal Corridor Celebration
October 29, 2009
Tallahassee, Florida – The U.S. Secretary of Transportation has given national designation to four
Florida Scenic Highways as part of the America’s Byways prestigious collection. The Florida Scenic Highways receiving the National Scenic Byways designation are the Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway on SR 40 in the Ocala National Forest, the Big Bend Scenic Byway in north Florida, and Ormond Beach Scenic Loop and Trail in Volusia County. The Florida Keys Scenic Highway along U.S. 1 in southeast Florida was named an All-American Road.
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Florida Highways Gain Federal Scenic Status
November 15, 2009
State Road 40 stretch, Ormond Scenic Loop join National Scenic Byways
One of the most pleasing drives in Florida for Jim Thorsen is a nearly 60-mile stretch of State Road 40
between Ormond Beach and Silver Springs.
The mostly two-lane road winds through the heart of the Ocala National Forest and offers motorists a view of the world’s most massive collection of sand pines. The thousands of unspoiled acres along the way are one of the last wild and uncrowded places still left in the Sunshine State. It’s also where the largest population of Florida black bears exists.
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Florida Black Bear Scenic Byway
November 15, 2009
Federal officials designated this one a National Scenic Byway in October. And it’s not just about black bears. Travelers shouldn’t be surprised if they also see deer, foxes, red-cockaded woodpeckers and other wildlife.
The byway is State Road 40 between Silver Springs and Ormond Beach, along with two spurs and a loop. The first spur is State Road 19 from S.R. 40 in the Ocala National Forest north to Palatka. The other spur is S.R. 19 at County Road 445 south to the southern boundary of the Ocala National Forest. The Alexander Springs Loop starts at S.R. 40 and S.R. 19.
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