America in Bloom announces 2009 award winners

Six communities were recognized for their beautification efforts at the America In Bloom (AIB) Symposium and Awards Program held Oct. 3 in Hershey, Pa.

AIB is a national campaign and contest that promotes enhancing communities through beautification. Communities are matched by population and evaluated on their efforts related to floral displays, urban forestry, landscaped areas, turf and groundcover, tidiness, environmental awareness, heritage conservation and community involvement.

AIB’s 2009 population category winners are:
4,000 or less: Echo, Ore.
4,001 to 10,000: Charles City, Iowa
10,001 to 20,000: River Falls, Wis.
20,001 to 50,000: Collierville, Tenn.
50,001 to 100,000: Lompoc Valley, Calif.
100,001 or more: Milwaukee, Wis.

Plans are underway for the 2010 edition of AIB. Communities can register to participate at www.americainbloom.org.