Regions
SARNIA WINS COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM AWARD
For immediate release:
Contact:
Michael Lawley
Tourism Sarnia-Lambton
519-336-3232
September 17, 2007-During a September 15 awards ceremony, Communities In Bloom Ontario gave their top rating of five blooms to the City of Sarnia recognizing our excellence in eight categories. In addition to the five blooms, Sarnia was also recognized as the best in Ontario for our landscaped areas involving public and private sector spaces such as Germain Park and the waterfront.
Anne Marie Gillis, this year’s Communities In Bloom Chairperson says “This award is yet another accolade recognizing Sarnia as a great place to live and work. Congratulations to everyone who helped make this year’s event a success.” Sarnia has been invited to participate in the national Communities In Bloom program. The City of Sarnia has also been selected to host the 2009 provincial Communities In Bloom conference. Approximately 200 people from across Ontario are expected attend the event.
Founded in 1995, Communities In Bloom is an International not for profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community participation. Participating Communities are evaluated using eight criteria that include: Environmental Awareness; Natural and Cultural Conservation; Tree/Urban Forest Management; Landscaped Areas; Floral Displays; Community Involvement; Turf & Ground Covers and Tidiness.
The Communities In Bloom program provides benefits that include: increased civic pride and community involvement; participation from all ages and walks of life; citizens, organizations, business and municipal government are mobilized and working together; year round and continuous improvement for the entire community; improved economic development and increased property values; decreased vandalism; and improved quality of life for residents.
The following organizations support Sarnia’s Communities In Bloom project: Lambton Wildlife; Sarnia Planning Advisory Committee; Sarnia Environmental Advisory Committee; Sarnia Urban Wildlife; Lambton College; 402 Green Belt Committee from the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce; Sarnia Horticultural Society; Arbour Week Committee; Energy Exchange; Sarnia Heritage Committee; Master Gardeners; Sarnia Lambton Environmental Association; Bluewater Trails; Tourism Sarnia-Lambton and the City of Sarnia.
Our sponsors for 2007 include: Blue Water Bridge Duty Free Shop; Bluewater Power; City of Sarnia, DeGroot’s Nurseries; Energy Exchange; Imperial Oil; McKenzie & Blundy Funeral Home Ltd.
All Sarnia residents can support Communities In Bloom by: organizing a clean up; painting a fence; refurbishing a vacant lot; pick weeds; cut your lawn; use responsible watering programs to maintain healthy lawns; repair, restore and preserve heritage sites; preserve a tree; plant a tree; add a planter or hanging basket to your business, home or apartment; recycle; spread the word - involve your family and friends; get children involved through schools, youth organizations and environmental programs; businesses can get involved with adopt a garden programs. Everyone can contribute to making our community bloom.
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