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CiB Registration is Now Open!!
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Registration is now open for the 2017 Alberta Provincial Edition of Communities in Bloom! Join the many Alberta communities who benefit from participating in the CiB Alberta Program. Participants benefit in numerous ways including:
- Increased civic pride and community involvement.
- Information and cultural exchange within the community.
- Economic development and increased property values.
- Year-round projects and continuous improvement for the entire community.
Returning communities and
new participants can access the new on-line Registration Form
here
,
and other CiB Alberta reference materials
here
.
Registration deadline is March 31, 2017. Community evaluations will take place in July and August.
STEPS TO SUCCESSFUL REGISTRATION:
There are three easy steps to ensuring successful registration:
Step 1: Select a Participation Category. Your community can chose to participate in the Competitive, Non Competitive "Friends" or the new
NOVICE category.
Step 2: Complete the ONLINE REGISTRATION FORM by March 31, 2017. Registration fees are broken down on the Registration Form.
Registration Fees:
The Registration fees are based on population size and are the same for both participation categories:
- 1 - 500 ($225)
- 501 - 2,000 ($275)
- 2,001 - 6,000 ($325)
- 6,001 - 15,000 ($400)
- 15,001 - 50,000 ($450)
- 50,001+ ($500)
CiB Alberta Provincial Coordinator, Karen Snethun, can be reached at
ksnethun@arpaonline.ca or by phone at 403-789-6287 to answer any program questions.
Step 3: Get Started! Visit the
CiB Alberta website, where you will find an overview of the program and information on how to get your community started, including how to form a local Communities in Bloom Committee. There are also resources such as the "Blooms & Bits Newsletter" and helpful articles like "Preparing a Community Profile Book."
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Communities in Bloom Workshop - Supported by Fortis Alberta
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Workshop Overview
- Communities in Bloom Program Overview
- Evaluation Criteria
- How the Judges Evaluate
- Preparing a Community Profile
- Experienced Community Tips - Stettler
- Preparing for the Judges' Visit
- Ask a CiB Judge - Q & A Session
Who Should Participate
- Individuals interested in the CiB Program
- Non-participating communities that want to learn how to get involved
- Communities that are planning to participate in CiB Alberta in 2017
- Participating communities that are looking for an opportunity to get questions answered and network
Location & Date
Saturday, Feb 4, 2017
10:00 AM - 3:30 PM
FortisAlberta Office - Petrolia Park location
100 Poplar Street
Red Deer County, AB
Registration fee and lunch generously provided by FortisAlberta.
Registration
For more information or to register, contact:
Karen Snethun
CiB Alberta Provincial Coordinator
403-789-6287
ksnethun@arpaonline.ca
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Make the Most of Canada 150
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2017 marks the 150th birthday for Canada and we want to recognize your Canada 150 efforts in multiple ways.
- Introduction of a Novice Category (Non-Competitive) to encourage new communities to join CiB.
- Use of the Canada 150 logo is approved for all REGISTERED CiB Participants.
- CiB wants to re-engage former 5-Bloom communities, and has created a one-time Canada 150th Special Edition compact program and evaluation grid to be used at the national level.
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Novice Category for Alberta Communities
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Is your community NEW to Communities in Bloom (CiB)? Or haven't been involved in a while? If so, take your first step into the CiB world by joining the Novice Program, designed to provide a smooth transition toward becoming an 'in Bloom' community.
Features of the program include:
- CiB judges will visit your community and do a non-competitive, mini-assessment of your best three criteria (e.g., Floral Displays, Tidiness, Environmental Action, etc.) - you choose!
- No Community Profile Book to organize.
- Custom-tailored Workshop provided - your community decides the topic.
There is no scoring or bloom rating assigned, just comments and suggestions that your community can use for planning purposes.
See the 2017 CiB Alberta Registration Form
for additional information. Get started today and feel confidant every step of the way!
Communities in Bloom Alberta Judges will:
- Travel to your community and provide a Non-Competitive Mini-Evaluation -- best three criteria chosen by the community.
- Present a half-day customized workshop for 3-10 people consisting of local committee members, municipal staff and partners. Judges will provide an in-depth orientation to the CiB program.
- Explain the CiB evaluation process and how it will help your community to highlight their successes and identify areas for improvement.
- Explain the Evaluation Form, show you how to design an Evaluation Tour, and create a Community Profile Book.
- Help your community identify potential partnerships and how they can enhance your community.
Communities should be prepared to:
- Tour the judges around your community in the morning (2-4 hrs) for the mini-evaluation.
- Show the judges three categories for assessment (your choice) so that the judges can provide a written summary in addition to their onsite comments & suggestions.
- Attend a Workshop in the afternoon (2-3 hrs with 3-10 people who represent your CiB committee, the municipality and/or partners).
- Pay a registration fee based on population size (see the 2017 CiB Alberta Registration Form for details).
- Host two judges over night (if required) with meals. Optional: wrap-up breakfast meeting before the judges leave.
Additional Considerations for Community:
- Your community will be promoted as a participant in the CiB program through the CiB Map, Website, Media Releases, and inclusion in the Provincial Awards Ceremony.
- The Judge's Summary Document will be presented at the CiB Alberta Provincial Awards in the fall. The Awards provide an excellent opportunity for new participants to network with other communities.
Questions? Call CiB Alberta Provincial Coordinator, Karen Snethun, for more information at 403-789-6287 or
ksnethun@arpaonline.ca
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Meet a CiB Judge - Sherry Cote
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Sherry hails from Bruderheim, has recently retired from government service, and is pursuing her interests in gardening and her love of nature and travelling. She has been an active member of the local Communities in Bloom committee since 2002.
Sherry was instrumental is starting the Community Garden Program for Seniors and the Youth Planter Box Program for children 5 - 12 years of age in her community. Her passion for gardening and helping others lead to opportunities to plan workshops around gardening, container planting and other "grow your own food for yourself and others" programs.
Sherry has a good working knowledge of plants and landscaping through traveling to other communities, attending courses and working at the local greenhouse. She works closely with industry and other groups in and around the community while promoting new initiatives to enhance and promote communities.
Sherry is a dedicated volunteer for more than forty years with various club and organizations.
Currently, she is assisting the Agricultural Society with the revitalization of the museum and is an actively volunteering with many groups in the community to support various projects.
Sherry is excited to be a member of the 2017 CIB judging team.
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Electronic Community Profile Books Now Listed on Leisure Information Network
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Community Profile Books are provided to the Communities in Bloom judges by the communities as part of the evaluation process. They contain information on programs, activities and events pertaining to parks and green spaces, environmental actions and community engagement. The Community Profile books are a valuable collection of best practices and community achievements.
Besides being a required informational tool for the judges, the Community Profile Books (CPB) are an excellent means of promoting a community to visitors, town administration, local sponsors and potential volunteers.
Consider producing an Electronic Community Profile Book for your community in 2017 and you will be able to:
- Put your CPB on your community website, the CiB website and other national databases.
- Easily update your Community Profile Book each year.
- Provide your Town Council with a summary of the community. It is also easier for Council to use when promoting their community.
- Have our community send an electronic version (PDF) of your CiB Alberta for inclusion on the Leisure Information Network (LIN).
The Leisure Information Network has included the Community Profile Books from Alberta communities that participated in the Communities in Bloom program at the provincial level in 2016. You can view the set of 2016 Alberta Community Profile Books on the LIN website
here
.
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Interested in Becoming a CiB Judge?
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CiB Alberta Judge, John Helder, presents certificate at the Alberta Provincial CiB Awards Ceremony 2016 in Cold Lake
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At CiB Alberta, we are always on the lookout for judges and invite you to consider this exciting possibility.
If you have previous involvement in CiB in your community, a passion for gardening and/or have community development experience then contact Karen Snethun for more information at 403.789.6287 or email at
ksnethun@arpaonline.ca
.
Read more about what it takes to become a judge
here and complete an application form
here.
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Grants of up to $5,000 with Tree to our Nature
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Tree Canada is offering Canadians the opportunity to unite in celebration of Canada's 150th anniversary by supporting 150 community greening initiatives across the country.
Successful recipients of the Tree to Our Nature program funding are eligible for a grant of up to $5,000 to help bring their community tree planting celebration to fruition.
Who can apply?
- Municipalities
- Community Organizations
- Groups
- Schools
- Associations
There are opportunities for local businesses and corporations to get involved and increase project funding.
DEVON CANADA GRANT
Investing in People: January 16 - February 17, 2017
The Investing in People grant is intended to encourage innovative projects and activities that help to build organizational, rather than individual capacity in Canadian non-profit organizations. To help celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary, the 2017 Investing in People grant recipients will be asked to demonstrate innovative, future-focused initiatives or projects that will help their organization leave a lasting legacy in their community.
The grant supports initiatives such as:
- Organizational strategic planning
- Workforce planning
- Employee and volunteer training
- Team building and knowledge sharing activities
- Leadership development
Get further information and apply
HERE
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Grant Opportunities for CiB Alberta Communities
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The benefits of Communities in Bloom activities accumulate over time. Many of Alberta's most successful Communities in Bloom participants have been involved for many years.
Local Communities in Bloom initiatives obtain support through various methods:
- Local Sponsorship
- Municipal Support
- Private Donations
- National and Provincial Grants
- Corporate Sponsorships
- Fundraising Events
Financial as well as in-kind support can be obtained. In-kind support is equally as valuable, as it provides services or materials in place of cash support.
Please
click here to view a selection of programs that offer support.
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Scotts Canada Launches 2017
GRO1000 Grassroots Grants
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Scotts Canada Limited proudly announces the opening of its GRO1000Grassroots Grants award program, for 2017. The Grassroots Grants program, now in its seventh year, provides support to not-for-profit organizations to better their neighborhoods through the development of community-based gardens and green spaces.
The grants are part of the larger GRO1000 Gardens and Green Spaces Program, which is Scotts Miracle-Gro's commitment to create over 1,000 community-based gardens and green spaces in Canada, the U.S., and Europe by 2018, the company's 150th anniversary. To date, more than 830 community projects have received GRO1000 funding, including 54 community-based gardens in Canada.
Along with its partners Communities in Bloom, Plant a Row - Grow a Row and
Nutrients for Life, Scotts Canada is pleased to be offering this exciting opportunity to Canadian communities. Grassroots Grants, which range from $500 to $1,500, will be awarded to selected projects across Canada. From edible gardens to pollinator habitats, urban farms to sensory gardens,
GRO
1000 supports all types of community-driven green space projects and places priority on programs that heavily involve youth. The benefits that gardens provide to a community and its residents are significant, and even more so for children. Research shows that spending time in a garden helps improve a child's cognitive ability, develops healthy nutrition habits, and increases positive self-understanding, responsibility and maturity.
If you are or know of a recognized charitable organization or non-profit group committed to establishing or expanding a community-based garden, green space or pollinator habitat in Canada, applications for the 2017 GRO1000 Grassroots Grants are now being accepted online.
The deadline for application submission is February 20, 2017, at 11:59 p.m. EST. GRO1000 Grassroots Grants will be awarded as a combination of cash and in-kind product donation. Projects must be completed in 2017.
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Alberta Communities in Bloom Participants in the Media
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Communities from across Alberta have been featured in the media over the course of the 2016 season. Have a look at our new media section of the CiB Alberta website to see what's going on with CiB projects and events:
Communities in Bloom Alberta in the Media
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Connect with Us!
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Communities in Bloom Alberta is all about creating synergy and connecting people and communities.
If you have an event coming up or you are interested in connecting with other like-minded communities, let us know. We'll put you in touch with another community, publicize your event in our newsletter or send out a CiB Alberta community announcement.
Do you know a neighboring community that may
be interested in participating in the CiB Alberta
If you know of someone who may be interested in the CiB Alberta Program, please forward their contact information to Karen Snethun, CiB Alberta Provincial Coordinator (
ksnethun@arpaonline.ca
). We would love to have them grow with us!
Growing Your Way Brochure (PDF)
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Learning Webinars
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CiB ALBERTA WEBINARS
USING CIB AS A COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT TOOL:
Join Alberta Judge, Berta Briggs, as she shows communities how to use the CiB template as a community development tool. Listen to the webinar here.
BUILDING COMMUNITES THROUGH GROWING AND DIGGING:
CiB Judge Lorna McIlroy and Susan Roberts, Alberta Food Matters discuss building communities through growing and eating. You can view the webinar here:
AMERICA IN BLOOM - WEBINARS SERIES
America in Bloom (AIB) offers some Free, On-Demand Webinars presented by AIB board members, judges and invited guest speakers.
Click here to see the webinars.
Some of the topics include:
- Doing a tree inventory with volunteers
- Fighting crime with AIB
- Economic Benefits of Trees
- Paint Your Town with Blooming Baskets
- You've Registered for the Program - Now What?
- Best Ideas - Great Gifts to Give Your Town
- Planning for the Judges' Visit
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Congratulations Sylvan Lake - Gardens of Remembrance Winners
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Finalist ($500 grant from Scotts Canada): Memorial Park in Sylvan Lake, AB
The Memorial Park in Sylvan Lake, Alberta was recently awarded a $500 grant from Scotts Canada for their submission to the Gardens of Remembrance program.
The program aims, in the spirit of commemoration, to engage communities throughout Canada to honour Veterans by means of remembrance gardens along with local activities. The gardens involve the entire community to ensure that their meaning is known by all, particularly including activities with our youth.
The Gardens of Remembrance Program goal and objectives are to showcase our gratitude to Veterans-those men and women who served their country in times of war, military conflict and peace, and those who have lost their lives during war and other military engagements-and to recognize the sacrifices made by their families.
The program consists of evaluating existing memorial gardens to showcase them and promoting the creation of new memorial gardens to encourage communities throughout Canada to participate in the Gardens of Remembrance program.
The Town of Sylvan Lake redesigned the Memorial Park in 2016. The changes included a restructuring of planting beds, the addition of native perennials, placement of large decorative boulders and enhancements to the existing turf areas.
Although the park is centrally located in the business core, the existing mature trees and tall hedges provide the park with a naturalized and peaceful setting. A raised and sloped feature bed installed at the south end of the park will be planted in the shape of a poppy, which is highly visible to motorist and pedestrians passing by.
New park furnishings were also selected to be consistent with the lakeside theme and to provide visitors with a place to reflect.
Memorial Park is visited by town residents throughout the year as a way to reflect and remember Canadian veterans. Each year on November 11th, the Remembrance Day march ends at Memorial Park followed by a service held at the Cenotaph. Memorial Park is frequently visited after church functions and often used as a backdrop for many wedding pictures.
Article submitted by Cheryl Deboer, Horticulturalist/Landscape Gardener, Town of Sylvan Lake.
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How to Plant a Canada 150 Logo in Floral Display
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I
n preparation for the celebrations of Canada's 150
th
anniversary, let us demonstrate our pride of
country by illustrating the Canada 150 logo in a floral display. Here are plants suggested by one of our national sponsor, the Ball Horticultural Company.
For the complete list of recommended flowers,
click here
.
For the dimensions of the Canada 150 logo,
click here
.
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Communities in Bloom is supported by
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