[Press Release] : Columbia recognized through the America in Bloom Program

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 15, 2008

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

Columbia recognized through the America in Bloom Program
								
	(COLUMBIA, MO) - Columbia was recognized with a four-bloom
rating (out of five) at the  America in Bloom Symposium held in
Columbus, Ohio, Oct. 2-4. This was the first year of  Columbia’s
participation in America In Bloom (AIB), a national campaign and contest
that promotes  enhancing communities through beautification. 
	In this friendly competition, Columbia received 886.5 points out
of 1,000, only 5.5  points behind Fayetteville who won the
50,001-100,000 population category. 
	AIB matches communities by population and evaluates them on
efforts related to floral  displays, urban forestry, landscaped areas,
turf and groundcover, tidiness, environmental  awareness, heritage
conservation and community involvement. Thirty communities from all
regions  of the country participated in the seventh edition of America
in Bloom.  
	AIB judges visited Columbia June 22-24 and met with dozens of
city staff, community  members and volunteers. Their tour included
visits to several parks and municipal facilities, as  well as Shelter
Gardens, the University of Missouri campus and the Missouri Theater
Center for  the Arts. 
	The AIB judges gave Columbia special recognition in the area of
community involvement,  stating, “Throughout the tour, the judges were
continually impressed with the high degree of  recognition that the city
has when it comes to seeking public input and providing mechanisms for 
both the corporate and citizen sectors to get involved in any number of
projects.”  
	The judges were able to see many examples of citizen involvement
and met many volunteers.  In 2007, volunteers provided the city 42,856
hours of service across many city departments. 
	Columbia’s participation and recognition through AIB supports
Imagine Columbia’s Future  and Columbia’s vision of being a “a
connected, informed and engaged community.”

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