[Press Release] : America In Bloom judges are coming to Columbia!

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 16, 2008

CONTACT: Leigh Britt
Volunteer Coordinator
(573) 874-7504

America In Bloom judges are coming to Columbia!
								
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Two judges will visit Columbia June 22-24 as
part of the America In Bloom (AIB) national beautification campaign and
contest. Columbia is one of 39 cities competing in 10 population
categories in this friendly contest that promotes community involvement,
patriotism and civic pride along with beautiful landscapes.
	America In Bloom is modeled after Canada’s successful
Communities In Bloom program, which began more than eight years ago with
just 29 cities and has grown to include several hundred competing
provincially, nationally and internationally. AIB began on a small scale
in 2001 when four U.S. cities were mentored by Canadian cities in
Canada’s program. Judges appraise community efforts in eight
categories - tidiness, environmental awareness, community involvement,
heritage, urban forestry, landscaped areas, floral displays and turf and
ground cover areas. 
	Columbia’s judges are Matt Rosen, retired horticulture manager
of the city of Des Moines, Iowa, and Julie Riley, horticulturist with
the University of Alaska Cooperative Extension Service. Rosen and Riley
are professionally trained volunteers and will evaluate each community
within Columbia’s population category. 
	“Columbia is participating in the America In Bloom to receive
a third-party evaluation of our beautification and environmental
activities,” said Leigh Britt, volunteer coordinator for the city of
Columbia. “Volunteers play an important role in nearly every criteria
evaluated by America In Bloom so the program is a great way to highlight
their efforts.”
	Observations from the judges’ visit will be shared at the
America In Bloom awards symposium, to be held in October in Columbus,
Ohio. For local information about Columbia’s participation, contact
Leigh Britt at 874-7504 or visit the city’s Web site at
www.GoColumbiaMo.com. For additional information on the national
program, contact America In Bloom at 614-487-1117 or visit
www.americainbloom.org.

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