We are excited to announce that the 2023 National Edition and International Challenge evaluation tour begins on July 10th in Bay Roberts, NL and will conclude on August 2nd in Cold Lake, AB & Podčetrtek, Slovenia. CiB Judges look forward to learning more about the achievements of communities participating in this years CiB program as they develop civic pride, mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, enhance green spaces, strengthen neighborhoods, and increase investment opportunities and tourism. Safe travels to all!


Meet the 2023 Communities in Bloom Board of Directors! This year's board is comprised of an incredible group of individuals who are passionate about Growing Great Places Together!
SAVE THE DATE

Join us for the
2023 CiB National
Symposium & Awards Celebrating
"Northern Blooms"

September 27th -October 1st, 2023
Wood Buffalo, Alberta
The registration form and final program
will be available in June, stay tuned!
BOOK YOUR TRAVEL
Delegates are responsible for their own travel arrangements. CiB has arranged discount fares for delegates traveling to and from Fort McMurray Airport for the conference using Air Canada or WestJet. You may also wish to investigate any available seat sales with reputable transport providers other than CiB’s discount partners.
CARRIER
PROMO CODE
BOOK ONLINE
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Applicable rules (Air Canada):
  • The booking is to be made to the following city: Fort McMurray, YMM (AB) 
  • The travel period begins Wednesday, September 20, 2023 and ends Sunday, October 08, 2023.
  • Travel is valid Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday.
  • For North America 5% applies on standard fares, 10% on flex fares & higher. For International Travel 10% on standard fares & higher.
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Applicable rules (Westjet):
  • The booking is to be made to the following city: Fort McMurray
  • The travel period begins: 9/20/2023
  • The travel period ends: 10/8/2023
  • No discount will apply to Basic or Business class bookings.
  • 5% off Econo* and 10% off EconoFlex and Premium fares for travel within Canada 
  • 2% off Econo*, 5% off EconoFlex and 10% off Premium base fares for guests travelling Trans-border.
www.westjet.com/conventions
INCREASE YOUR PROPERTY VALUE BY IMPROVING YOUR LANDSCAPE

Real estate agents stress the importance of curb appeal when helping homeowners sell their houses because a nicely landscaped and well-maintained property makes a much better first impression for prospective buyers. It sets a positive tone before anyone sets foot in the house, and leaves a positive lasting impression. 
What is Plants Love You?
The “Plants Love You” campaign is a movement that promotes the benefits of planting and encourages people to connect with nature by planting trees, flowers, and other plants. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the positive impact that plants have on the environment, our physical and mental health, and our overall well-being.

Through various initiatives and educational programs, the campaign highlights the importance of planting and encourages individuals, communities, and organizations to take action by planting more trees and plants in their local areas. The “Plants Love You” campaign serves as a reminder of our connection to nature and the many benefits that come from cultivating and caring for plants.
We want our CiB Provincial and National Communities to participate in this new and exciting contest by letting us know how “Plants Love You”!

Who can enter?
Any CiB community registered in their 2023 Provincial or National CiB Edition.
Deadline: August 4th, 2023
Scotts Canada's support has helped us to grow and flourish over the past 23 years. Thank you for being an integral part of our journey and for continuing to help us bloom!
Scotts Canada announces 
2023 Gro for Good Grants recipients in support of Community Gardens and Green Spaces across Canada
The recipients of the 2023 Gro for Good grants, valued at $2,500, are: 
  1. Groundswell Network Society, Invermere, BC
  2. Thorold Community Activities Group, Thorold, ON
  3. Elmastukwek First Nation, Benoit’s Cove, NL
  4. NorWest Co-op Community Food Centre, Winnipeg, MB
  5. Al Ritchie Community Association Inc., Regina, SK
 
As indicated in the grant program information, the recipients have the opportunity to compete in a contest to win an additional grant prize.

We invite you to visit Scotts Canada’s GroMoreGood Canada Facebook page to support the 2023 grant recipients by voting for your preferred garden in September 2023.

In partnership with Scotts Canada, Communities in Bloom, Plant · Grow ·Share a Row, and Nutrients for Life applaud your efforts to enhance your community. We wish you a pleasant gardening season and encourage you to apply for a Gro for Good grant again next year.
Sure-Hits for Your Next Landscape
By Jeff Gibson, Ball Seed Landscape Business Manager
 
Choosing plants in the spring is an exciting time for landscape designers. Finding the right varieties that will perform well and through the summer is key to a successful landscape. When it’s time to pick plants that are true performers, be sure to include those that provide long-lasting colour and ease of maintenance. Here’s a list of sure-hits to give that landscape show-stopping staying power throughout the season.
Ball Seed offers an extensive collection of “plants that work.” Contact your local sales representative for nearby suppliers. Find planting tips, variety information and inspirational photos at BallLandscape.com.
Biodiversity and Human Health
Helpful resources have been produced by the CBD to better make sense of the strong links between biodiversity and health.

Get started deepening your understanding here:
Announcing ....
COMPOST'S GIANTS - The 22nd Annual Great Pumpkin Growing Contest
Get ready to GROW!
Welcome to this great, but very friendly, competition!

As a participant in this year's contest, you will join an enthusiastic and growing crowd of organics recyclers (compost AND anaerobic digestion professionals, that is) whose objective is to Grow 'em Big with Compost! The heaviest pumpkin at the time of weigh-in will be this year's national champion of the pumpkin patch.

As the winner, you will receive bragging rights as well as $500 to donate to a horticultural initiative in your area.

In addition to these rules and regulations, your sign-up kit provides you with an excellent source of websites and tips to learn about the fine art of pumpkin growing. This year we will once again be providing seeds of “Dill’s Atlantic Giant” with our starter packages with seeds from pumpkins 1000 lbs +! Each of these packages has only two seeds, but your chances of growing impressive pumpkins will be very high...
Live the Garden Life

Live the Garden Life, a legacy of the Year of the Garden 2022, is a three year public campaign developed by Gardens Canada to celebrate Canada’s Garden Culture. 

Canadians of all ages, and in all parts of the country garden at home and in their community, visit gardens, and are positively affected by the many benefits gardens provide. 

This is your invitation to Live the Garden Life and Make a Difference!

Here are a few ways you can Live the Garden Life:


To learn more about Live the Garden Life, please visit:
Apply to have a #GreenMyCity project in your community!

The Green Cities Foundation and our Partners, like Communities in Bloom share a commitment to connecting plants and people, and revitalizing green areas for community members to enjoy and benefit from. This is especially the case in cities, where more than 80 percent of Canadians reside.

The #GreenMyCity program supports the restoration and built of green spaces, serving different populations and in different environments from parks, community gardens, sports fields, playgrounds and public open spaces.

Greenery is a critically important green infrastructure that makes communities more resilient and healthier.

● They help slow down climate change by storing away carbon.
● They manage stormwater in urban areas to prevent flooding.
● They provide local wildlife with essential habitat.
● They increase our mental and physical well-being.

The Green Cities Foundation wants to work together with you to Green Your Community! We can provide matching funds and/or material and labour donations to support green space renovation projects in your neighbourhood.
Email completed applications to frydda@gcfoundation.ca. Applications will be reviewed and awarded based on its ability to fulfill our mission, and on a first come, first served basis.
Help us win $20,000! Every dollar you donate in June enters us for a chance to win! #GivingChallengeCA. (Learn more)
Park People is conducting a survey on how you have been using parks and green spaces in your city or municipality, and they want to hear from you.

Your responses will inform their 2023 Canadian City Parks Report, and they will share the findings with municipal parks staff and their network of park professionals and enthusiasts across Canada. Past Park People survey results have been cited in stories in the CBC, Globe and Mail, Walrus Magazine, Montreal Gazette, and more. 

As a thank you, at the end of the survey, you'll have the opportunity to enter a draw for one of three $100 gift cards. The survey will end on May 23, 2023.
The survey is open to anyone living in a Canadian city, so please share broadly with your networks across Canada—including colleagues, neighbours, friends, and family. You can access samples of social media posts and cards here. 

Thank you in advance for your help supporting this important research that will make a difference for Canadian city parks.
Do you have a great volunteer you'd like us to celebrate?
Send the information to bloom@cib-cef.com and we'll feature them in an upcoming e-News, or on Social Media!
If you have any questions, please contact: 
Sonia Parrino
Program Specialist
1-514-694-8871
Communities in Bloom is made possible by the generous support of our
sponsors and partners. We wish to thank them for their contribution
to the quality of life and civic pride in Canadian communities. 
Major Sponsor
Founding Sponsor
National Sponsors
Partners
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