America in Bloom registration deadline fast approaching

The registration deadline for America in Bloom’s national awards program is looming – February 28. Participating towns receive benefits ranging from making the town a better place to live, work, play and visit, to increased civic pride to increased property values.

You can learn about America in Bloom, get help to organize your town's participation efforts, and also check out the registration process at www.americainbloom.org. (You can also look at the list of towns or cities that have already signed up.) Registration fee is on a sliding scale based on population size and participants can receive a 25-percent discount for each new town they recruit.

Between May and August, judges spend two days in each town providing one-on-one consultations and coaching. They develop an extensive written evaluation that provides feedback on where towns excel and suggestions for further initiatives.

To date, participants include nearly 200 towns and cities from 40 states. For some towns, participating in the annual America in Bloom awards program has become a way of life, as volunteers look forward to working together on visible improvements.

Contest Chairman and AIB board member, Jack Clasen, PhD, said, “I’m excited about the 2012 program because we have assembled the best  team of experienced, professional judges in the history of the program.  This year we’re introducing a new, streamlined evaluation form that features four cornerstones: environmental awareness, heritage preservation, horticultural efforts, and community involvement. Our towns and cities raise the bar of excellence every year.”

To register, go to www.americainbloom.org.

America in Bloom is an independent, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements.