America in Bloom
Planting Pride in Your Community 

 
Photo Credit
London, Kentucky 
2010 Environmental Awareness Special Mention

Recruit a New City for the 2011 AIB Contest & Get 25 Percent Off Your City's Registration Fee New for 2011!

jump startYou've been in the AIB contest and know the power it has to transform communities. Get cities that have never been in the contest to join, and we'll reward you for your efforts to plant pride in America.

If a new city registers for the 2011 contest and indicates that you suggested they participate, we'll give you a 25 percent discount on your city's 2011 registration fee.

Just have them indicate on their registration form that they got involved in AIB at your community's suggestion. Already registered for 2011? No problem. Recruit a new city, and we'll be sending you a 25 percent refund. Here's a list of cities that have already been in the program. This offer expires February 28.

Added incentive: Register your community by December 31 and get a FREE copy of the latest edition of the Best Ideas Book. This is a $50 value. Register Now!

U.S. Chamber Calls On America's Communities to Apply for National Honor


The U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) has opened the nomination period for its 2011 Siemens Sustainable Community Awards.

Now in its fourth year, the program recognizes local governments, chambers of commerce, and other organizations for the tremendous steps they've taken to improve quality of life and enhance their ability to sustain a successful community for generations to come.

Winning communities receive $20,000 worth of trees.

A Place Proud to Call Home
By Marvin Miller, AIB President

We recently received a note about a study completed by the Gallup organization that was funded by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which has created quite a stir.

 

Called the "Soul of the Community," the study summarized the findings of 43,000 interviews over the last 3 years, conducted in 26 cities across the United States. Specifically trying to find the factors influencing passion for and loyalty to a community, the survey asked residents questions such as what makes residents love where they live and what draws people to a place and keeps them there.

Read the full article on America in Bloom's blog.


First Commercial Rooftop "Farm" Nears Completion

Entrepreneurs Mohamed Hage and Kurt Lynn and horticulture and hydroponics expert Howard Resh are the brains behind Lufa Farms, which unveiled details recently about its 31,000-square-foot greenhouse being constructed atop a two-story office building in Montreal's March� Central neighborhood.

Construction of the specially designed greenhouse began in July and is expected to be complete before year's end. Planting is scheduled to begin in January. On that timetable, the first crops would be harvested six weeks later.

Read more, and see what it looks like so far.

Save the Date! 2011 AIB Symposium & Awards

Capital Ideas - 10 Years of Best Ideas from Communities Across America
Join us October 6-8, 2011 in the Washington, D.C. area for the 10th annual America in Bloom Symposium & Awards program.

Get take-home ideas on how to bring together municipal, commercial, and residential sectors to improve your town. Learn from innovators and leaders, community activists, and environmental champions and network with towns and cities that have been successful at growing their economy while beautifying their community. More details will be announced soon!

See pictures from the recent 2010 symposium in St Louis.


Thank You to All AIB Supporters



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 sponsors - we couldn't do it without you! As 2010 draws to a close, please remember that America in Bloom is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit program that will appreciate your tax deductible contributions.

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Featured Stewards

 

Full list of current and founding stewards


Find America in Bloom on the web at www.americainbloom.org.
 
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].