It's no secret that the city of Detroit has seen better days. The once iconic American city has become the face of the great recession. With a staggering number of blighted and unsightly properties, the city is now stuck in a downward spiral and is struggling to regain control. But after nearly five years of planning, one company is hoping to do its part to change things for the better. The powers that be have finally approved the purchase of nearly 1,500 vacant, city-owned lots so they can be converted into an urban forest. The plan includes clearing 50 derelict structures, cleaning mass amounts of garbage, planting 1,500 trees, and mowing regularly.
Last spring, Henry Doctor, planted more than 1,000 morning glories in unused planter boxes around the Dupont Circle Metro station in Washington, DC. After discovering the plantings, the Metro authority not only removed the plants, but had threatened him with arrest if he was caught trying to water the plants. The Metro authority's actions lead to a public outcry and spurred Doctor to stage a civil disobedience protest. 
Community beautification has numerous benefits - we've been touting them for years. The only problem is that you can't do it by yourself. You need people. You need volunteers. That's a task that not only takes time, but it takes strategy as well. 
Along with two other America in Bloom (AIB) board members, I have just returned from the National League of Cities' annual Congress of Cities and Exposition. This event regularly draws mayors, city managers, and city councilmen from cities across America, all looking for best practices they might adopt or adapt for their cities. America in Bloom has been attending this event for about a decade trying to encourage more cities to embrace our program and to learn the power of horticulture. 
It's time to register your community to participate in the 2014 America in Bloom program. The deadline to register is February 28, BUT if you register by December 31 we'll give you a FREE "
