Mallory Hanson, a regional Iowa Byways coordinator and regional tourism and economic development coordinator for Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), stands near one of the many Iowa Byways signs throughout northeast Iowa. Her region oversees four of Iowa’s 14 Byways throughout northeast Iowa, including the Driftless Area Scenic Byway in Allamakee and Winneshiek counties and River Bluffs Scenic Byway in Fayette and Clayton counties. (Zakary Kriener photo)
Iowa Byways offers more than a great view
Zakary Kriener
News Writer
zkriener@fayettepublishing.com
There is no better way to experience the natural beauty, history, and culture of the state of Iowa than to see it for yourself. For nearly 20 years, the Iowa Byways program has helped highlight some of the most scenic and heritage-filled roadways and communities throughout the state.
“Iowa Byways is a great way for communities and counties located near or on the byways to have a unique opportunity to work collaboratively to improve and expand upon our natural and cultural resources,” explained Mallory Hanson, a coordinator for Iowa Byways through Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D).
Iowa Byways includes a total of 12 state-designated and two nationally designated scenic byways, which cover nearly 2,000 miles and pass through hundreds of communities.
A regional conservation and development organization, as well as a local advisory board oversee each byway. Together, they work to promote, plan, preserve, and enhance the roadways and communities that are part of Iowa Byways.
“We are fortunate to have four byways here in northeast Iowa, all of which fall in our region at Northeast Iowa RC&D,” continued Hanson, who has been an Iowa Byways coordinator since 2011. “We actually have the two most senior coordinators in the state, as my fellow coordinator, Jarred Nielson, has been with the organization since 2010.”