Catskill, New York
Latest News from America in Bloom
What's In This Issue?
Protecting & Preserving Champion Trees
AIB City Linked to "Finding Dory" Movie
Streets Lined with Gold
Nominations Open for Community Champion Award
AIB Raffle Winners Announced
Protecting & Preserving Champion Trees

Many grand old trees survive in spite of us. We blame them for lifting pavement and cracking curbs. We remove them to widen streets and add new buildings. Should be we protecting these venerable, irreplaceable citizens of our communities, and learning about the special care they require and deserve? Answers to these questions and more will be shared at the America in Bloom symposium and awards program, October
6-8 in Arroyo Grande, California.

Nick Martin of Bartlett Tree Experts will speak on "Preserving Grand Old Trees." City of Morro Bay Engineer Damaris Hanson will share insight into "The Landmark Tree Program in Morro Bay - Ideas for Your Community." Dave Milarch of the Archangel Ancient Tree Archive will address "The Importance of Planting Ancient Trees." All who love where they live and are dedicated to making it better are invited to attend this year's event. 

 

AIB City Linked to "Finding Dory" Movie

Morro Bay, a Central California coast community involved in AIB since 2014, has received some great publicity this summer thanks to Disney and Pixar's blockbuster movie, "Finding Dory." The beloved blue tang fish with a delightful short-term memory problem finally realizes she's from "the jewel of Morro Bay, California." 

A tour of Morro Bay is one of the special pre-event opportunities being offered at this year's AIB symposium and awards program. Learn more.
Streets Lined with Gold

By Charlie Hall, AIB Past President
 
Streets lined with gold? Not exactly, but a new report from the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Southwest Research Station estimates trees lining California streets and boulevards provide benefits to municipalities and residents worth $1 billion.
 
One of the six criteria that are used to evaluate cities participating in the America in Bloom awards program each year is "urban forestry." It sounds rather straightforward (e.g. all the trees we have in our city), but it is more comprehensive than that. Judges evaluate the distribution, variety, and suitability of trees; new tree plantings; whether or not a formal urban tree program exists; qualified tree-related personnel or access to trained individuals; whether or not the city has a tree inventory or database; frequency of tree surveys; tree care and maintenance programs; preservation of heritage trees and wooded lots; and any scheduled succession tree plantings. Wow!
 
Another key metric (that is often hard to quantify) involves the economic contributions of the urban forests in a particular community. I recently came across an excellent paper entitled "Structure, Function and Value of Street Trees in California, USA," published in this month's issue of "Urban Forestry and Urban Greening." It is a case study of a comprehensive inventory of "street trees" within California and it represents one of the best of-to-date analyses of the value of street trees I've seen.
Nominations Open for 2016 Community Champion Award

Mary Hertel, 2015 winner

Nominations are now being accepted for the America in Bloom John R. Holmes III Community Champion Award.

 
This honor is to recognize an individual who exemplifies community leadership through actions that reflect the mission of America in Bloom. The award recipient, who must be from a community that has participated or is currently participating in the program, will have demonstrated a vision and selfless commitment to moving the community forward. 

 Learn more about the award, selection criteria, and to nominate someone.

 

AIB Raffle Winners Announced
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Congratulations to Fred Blackmore, Craig Yoshida, and Lisa Ambrosio. They were the winners of the annual AIB raffle, held during Cultivate'16. 

Blackmore won $5,000; Yoshida won $1,000; and Ambrosio won $500. Proceeds from the raffle go to support AIB's mission to promote nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. 

America in Bloom envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work, and play - benefitting from colorful plants and trees; enjoying clean environments; celebrating heritage; and planting pride through volunteerism.

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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