Catskill, New York
Latest News from America in Bloom
What's In This Issue?
AIB Judges: What Do They Look For?
Three New Communities Enroll in AIB
Towns Celebrate Completion of Projects Funded by AIB/CN Railway Grant
Enter the YouTube Video Award Contest
Judges are Out and About
AIB Judges: What Do They Look For?

Want to know what the AIB judges look for when evaluating a community? Get a first-hand account by attending one of the sessions at this year's AIB Symposium & Awards Program. 

The panel presentation, "Pecha Kucha: What the Judges are Looking For," is an opportunity learn from our expert judges. Seven judges will each take an AIB criterion and share what they look for as they visit your community. This session will utilize an innovative presentation format called Pecha Kucha. Each judge will share their thoughts using 20 slides, 20 seconds per slide. This fast-paced session is informative and fun. Learn more.
 
Three New Communities Enroll in AIB
Tavares, FL. First community registered for 2017.

Even though judges are busy evaluating communities this summer, we're already working on next year's AIB National Awards Program. And we are happy to report that three communities have already registered to participate in 2017. Equally exciting, these are three communities NEW to AIB. Tavares, Florida is a town of more than 14,000 people north of Orlando. Lockport, Illinois, a southwest suburb of Chicago, has nearly 25,000 people. Epping, New Hampshire is a New England community of 7,000 people. Welcome to these communities!
Towns Celebrate Completion of Projects Funded by AIB/CN Railway Grant

Through the "EcoConnexions From the Group Up" grants program, AIB has been partnering with the CN Railway to support collaborative community greening projects that enhance landscapes in communities neighboring CN rail lines. 

Earlier this month, two Louisiana towns, Hammond and Independence, held media events to celebrate the completion of their grants project. Hammond was awarded $25,000 for its "Trees for Greener Hammond" program, while nearby Independence was awarded $12,290 for its "Independence in Bloom" project. Representatives from each community's local government, CN officials, and AIB representatives were in attendance to celebrate.

Enter the YouTube Video Award Contest - Win $1,500

Record your community's involvement with America in Bloom! Any past or present AIB participant is eligible for the $1,500 cash award for the Best YouTube video. The length should be between 2 to 3 minutes, and the video must be placed on YouTube. The deadline for entries is August 26. 

The top three finalists will be featured and the winner announced at the 2016 America in Bloom Symposium & Awards, October 6-8 in Arroyo Grande, California. You do not have to be present at the symposium to win. Good luck!
 
Last year's award winner was Castle Rock, Washington. To see their award-winning video - and previous year's winners - visit the AIB YouTube page. Learn more about the award.

Thank you to Neal Mast Greenhouses for sponsoring this award.
Judges are Out and About

AIB's talented and dedicated group of judges is spread across the country evaluating communities involved in this year's National Awards Program. Judging began in early April and will conclude in the final days of July. 

AIB President Katy Moss Warner shares what the judges are experiencing this summer. 

Thank You to Our Sponsors
 
          
 
                     
                      
 
                
 
           
 
              
 
       
 
           
 
           
 
              
 
           
 
 
 
       
 
          
            
Thank You to Our Contributors
 
Katy Moss Warner
Jack Clasen
Evelyn Alemanni
Drew Becher
Charlie Hall
Marvin Miller
Edith Makra
John Manchester
Mark Broxon
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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, AIB@AmericainBloom.org