America in Bloom announces participants in 2015 national awards program

America in Bloom (AIB) recently announced the participants of its 2015 national awards program. 

The nonprofit promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. Each year, the program honors cities and organizations within cities that are helping to beautify their communities. Eligible groups include: cities, townships, business districts, college and university campuses, military installations and identifiable sections of large cities.

Each participant will receive a two-day visit from a two-person team of specially trained judges. They will tour the community, meet with volunteers, elected officials, and members of the business community, and then develop an extensive written evaluation. Many mayors have commented that the evaluation would cost upwards of $10,000 if the city had hired a consultant to do the work.