Texas Scenic Views app leads Texans to fall foliage

COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M Forest Service launched Texas Scenic Views today in celebration of the first day of fall. This new online app helps Texans find the most impressive views of fall foliage throughout the state.

In the spring, Texans can use the app to find routes that showcase beautiful wildflower displays.

Users can preview routes, view photos, read reviews and download directions to their mobile device while browsing scenic points and drives. The crowdsourced application displays a map that shows the current rating of each route to help users find the best displays of fall foliage.

“Texas has many extraordinary places to view scenic landscapes,” said Hughes Simpson, Texas A&M Forest Service Sustainable Forestry department head. “This application helps connect users with those majestic hardwood forests, stunning bluebonnet fields and inspiring wide-open spaces that define this great state. 

While Texans are out exploring and enjoying fall colors, they can upload their own photos of fall foliage to Texas Scenic Views and rate and comment on the routes they travel.

Texans have a good reason to get outside and explore, said Simpson. Exposure to forests and woodlands decreases mental fatigue by relaxing and restoring the mind, as well as providing a sense of security.

By taking a drive to scenic outdoor areas, Texans can embrace the health benefits provided by trees and green space and gain an appreciation for their value, Simpson said.

“Medical research is increasingly showing the numerous, positive health benefits of trees and being outdoors in our everyday lives. This application helps Texans enjoy the natural beauty of this state while positively impacting their health,” said Simpson.

Texas A&M Forest Service provides statewide leadership to assure the state’s trees, forests and related natural resources are protected and sustained for the benefit of all. Conserving Texas’ trees and forests, the state agency helps property owners maintain the land and natural resources to ensure forestlands remain productive and healthy not only for the environment but for generations of Texans to come.

Find more information about the health benefits trees provide at http://healthy.southernforests.org.