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Photo Credit
McCall, Idaho
2012 Winner - Under 3,000 Population Category
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Eight Strategies for Building a Sustainable Preservation Movement
 Older and historic buildings are the heart and soul of our communities. They provide character, history, and authenticity, making our main streets and neighborhoods places that we love, not just places to live. There are 1.5 million commercial buildings more than 50 years old in America, so we have opportunities at every turn to make sure the places we love are sustainable, high-performing, and vibrant for years to come. Here are eight strategies to help you build a sustainable preservation movement in your community.
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Placemaking Has No Off-Season
 Winter and its inhospitable weather present an interesting challenge for the public spaces that planners, artists, and developers may have put much thought into making inviting. This winter was enough to prove that the words "outdoor" and "enjoyment" do not always fall in the same sentence, or in the same season. But one Illinois community has discovered that with the right kind of organizing and orientation, you can use placement as a guard against the weather's doldrums.
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Hug a Tree - You Really Will Feel Better
We know that trees have many benefits. In forests they provide habitat, wood, biodiversity and ecosystem services. In cities, they can mitigate the urban heat island effect by cooling the air and reducing greenhouse gases.
But, perhaps surprisingly, there is increasing evidence that trees are also good for our mental health. It's time for everyone to become a tree hugger!
Click here to read more.
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Rooted in Tradition on Very Hallowed Ground
 In the delicate green matrix of Arlington National Cemetery, interspersed with the graves of long-dead veterans, are spaces reserved for their next of kin. Here, trees have had time to spread and arriving caskets may disturb soil webbed by the roots of one of the cemetery's leafy sentinels. "The fact is," says Stephen Van Hoven, the cemetery's urban forester, "we're still burying throughout the cemetery. It's a challenge in that it's not left alone. It's a totally dynamic place." Yet, even as the cemetery fills in, taking down a tree is always the last resort. Click here to read more.
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Resources at Your Fingertips - AIB Blog Expands
 Thanks to Alex Pearl, one of our amazing volunteer judges, the American in Bloom blog is thriving. Alex is always finding great resources that are perfect for communities, but getting the message out can be challenging. But we've given Alex access to the AIB blog to share the great stuff he comes across. Recent posts include connecting children to nature, and strategies for building a sustainable preservation movement. Alex is just getting started, so bookmark the AIB blog so you can refer to it often. Click here to read more.
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How Does Your Town Measure Up Against America's Prettiest?
 America in Bloom, with cooperating sponsorship from Home & Garden Showplace and Monrovia Nursery, announces an exciting new endeavor to encourage and recognize beautification efforts through a new annual photography contest. Cities and towns across the United States will be evaluated on their overall beauty as demonstrated by a submitted portfolio of up to 18 photos. Entrants are invited to submit any photographs from their city. Click here to learn more.
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Transitions: Introducing the New AIB President
By Dr. Marvin Miller, AIB Past President
 | Dr. Charlie Hall,
AIB President |
As I turn over the Presidency, I feel confident it is in good hands. Charlie and I are fellow agricultural economists and are good friends, and we've worked a lot together over the years. We serve together on another industry board, we have done a number of education programs together, we have travelled abroad together to talk about plants and flowers and their economic, environmental, psychological and sociological benefits and how "in Bloom" programs can add to the awareness of these benefits and more. Most importantly, we have worked together to further the America in Bloom mission and help the organization achieve success.
Click here to read more.
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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, LKunkle@ofa.org.
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