December 15, 2008

America in Bloom
Planting Pride in Your Community 

 
Photo Credit
Colleyville, Texas
 
2008 Participating Community
In This Issue
The Sense of Wonder
All I Want for Christmas is Some LEDs
AIB Reaches Out to Cities
Seeds From the Forest
Monetary Awards and Grants Recognize Community Beautifcation Efforts
Thank You for a Very Successful 2008!
Have a Story to Share?
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The Sense of Wonder

By AIB President Marvin Miller, Ball Horticultural Company

"A child's world is fresh and new and beautiful, full of wonder and excitement. It is our misfortune that for most of us that clear-eyed vision, that true instinct for what is beautiful and awe-inspiring, is dimmed and even lost before we reach adulthood ...."

So wrote Rachel Carson in her last book, The Sense of Wonder (Harper Collins Publishers, 1998). Perhaps best known for Silent Spring, the book many suggest spawned environmental awareness, Rachel Carson wrote this book, published posthumously, in which she encouraged parents to take their children for a walk in the woods.  

Read more

All I Want for Christmas is Some LEDs
By Evelyn Alemani, AIB Judge and Board Member
 
At Quail Botanical Gardens in Encinitas, California, the average daytime temperature in December hovers around 65 degrees, often reaching 75 in the afternoons.

It's hard for many people to get into the holiday spirit without a nice dose of cold and a frosting of snow, so for three weeks, the local botanical garden sponsors a "Garden of Lights" where acres of tropical plants, cycads, and palms (including the "original" poinsettia plants from Mexico that naturally bloom at this time of year) are decorated with colorful, energy-saving LEDs, many donated by the local electric utility. After the sun goes down, the gardens are transformed into a dazzling wonderland with over 90,000 sparkling lights.

Numerous activities include horse-drawn wagon rides, holiday crafts, marshmallow roasting, visits with Santa, live music, and refreshments. Visiting the gardens in December has become a holiday tradition for many San Diego area families.
AIB Reaches Out to Cities
 
America in Bloom joined SafeLawns, Florida Nursery, Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA), and Cherry Lake Tree Farms in creating a display and maintaining a presence at the National League of Cities' annual convention.
Seeds From the Forest
By Bill Hahn, AIB Judge

You may be wondering what communities and forests share in common.  Sustainability, that green buzzword simply defined as lasting power, or longevity, depends in both cases upon having populations with age diversity.  The ugly reality of attrition is the death knell to any population that cannot renew itself.

Thus, whether sustaining a forest, community, or industry an infusion of youthful progenies, light (inspiration), and growing room is necessary.  A forest is a community that protects individual trees from the ravages of heat, wind, erosion, etc.  Nurturing occurs until young trees grow and eventually dominate their space. 

Trees produce seeds to procreate, but how are communities and industries to bear fruit for sustainability?

Read the full article.
 
Monetary Awards and Grants Recognize Community Beautifcation Efforts
 
Looking for ways to support your local beautification efforts? Take a look at the new Grant Resource page on AIB's web site. Continually updated with new grant and award opportunities, be sure to bookmark this page and visit on a regular basis.
 
Thank You for a Very Successful 2008!

The AIB Board of Directors would like to thank everyone for their support this year! From our enthusiastic communities, to dedicated judges and volunteers, to all of the event participants - we couldn't do it without you!

As 2008 draws to a close, please remember that America in Bloom is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit program that will gladly accept your tax deductible contributions.
 
Have a Story to Share?
We would love to hear from you! Tell us about AIB activities in your community, or let us know about a community you have visited that should get involved with AIB. E-mail your story to Laura Kunkle, [email protected].
 
Find America in Bloom on the web at www.americainbloom.org.
 
Happy Fall,

America in Bloom