CiB has several exciting projects for your community to participate in this summer and there is still time to submit your application:
We want to learn more about the initiatives that your local committee undertakes to involve the community and fund the activities of your local CiB committee.
Let us know, very briefly, on how you involve your local Home Hardware Dealer in your community. In addition to telling us about your initiatives with your local dealer, we are inviting you to nominate your local dealer for "Communities in Bloom Home Hardware Dealer of the Year".
Share your ideas and participate in a draw for one of five $100 Home Hardware gift certificates.
Show us your backyard and tell us why you are proud of it! You could win a $1000 Home Gift Card (Grand Prize) or one of four $250 Home Gift Cards (Finalists) plus there is one random draw for a $250 Home Gift Card
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Nutrients for Life, a proud partner of Communities in Bloom, is offering a $500 grant to support a local school garden to all Canadian communities registered (all editions) in the Communities in Bloom program.
The NFL School Garden Grant will support schools with a one-time funding amount of $500 to establish or enhance school gardens at K-12 schools across Canada. Funds may be used to:
Purchase construction materials, seeds, tools, and other supplies to establish or develop a school garden.
Nutrients for Life Foundation Canada was launched in 2008 to inform the public of the role of nutrients in both the production of abundant, nutritious food and the preservation of healthy green spaces. The Foundation supports public education to ensure plant nutrients are responsibly applied to meet society's need for safe, wholesome food, while protecting the environment and retaining natural areas for wildlife. Nutrients for Life has committed to fund school gardens in order to help connect youth to modern agriculture and agricultural practices, and provide them with an understanding of where our food comes from.
Further, to help inspire the development of creative, hands-on educational activities related to your school garden, Nutrients for Life has put together a curriculum resource - Nourishing the Planet in the 21st Century - which focuses on understanding the science of plant biology and how it relates to food production. The six lessons contained within also explore the scientific, social, and environmental issues that relate to modern agricultural practices that will help sustain food production for the earth's growing population.
Nutrients for Life has also created a guide to help schools develop their gardens - Nutrients for Life Learning Garden: A Guide for Educators in Canada. The guide includes ideas that can assist you in the construction of a garden and tips on harvest, sample lesson plans, and considerations for engaging the community.
Open to all Canadian communities that have a park/garden/green space for which the community was looking for new perspectives. Such as, but not limited to:
- Reclaimed land such as a former quarry, dumpsite, or mine transformed to parkland for recreation or education purposes;
- Industrial land, such as brownfields, that have been decontaminated and developed as a park
- Waterfront park developed on industrial land
- Vacant wasteland or underutilized open space
Prize
- A two night stay at The Sidney Pier Hotel and Spa in Sidney, BC
- Two adult tickets for entrance and Afternoon Tea for two at The Butchart Gardens
- Both prizes are non-exchangeable for cash, will need to be used simultaneously and will be valid until September 30th, 2019
- The winner will have the liberty of giving the prize to anyone of his/her choice
History
- The submission must present the history of the site and the garden / park / green space:
- What was the land use prior to reclamation?
- Why did it need reclamation?
- What were the challenges in the reclamation?
Sustainability
- The submission must demonstrate how this reclamation will be sustainable.
Design
- What was the design intent?
- Is it inclusive and accessible for all ages and abilities?
Horticulture
- Existing and new vegetation such as native plants
- Water conservation considerations such as xeriscape gardens or use of reclaimed water
- Quality of maintenance
- Beautification elements and goals
Effect on the community
- Potential of use after reclamation such as natural park, sports complex, nature centre, etc.
- Interface with public and private areas.
- Explain community participation (municipal, commercial/industrial, service groups/citizens)
- Discuss economic benefits
We all know the importance of pollinators like honey bees in our gardens: that's why it's important to plant pollinator-friendly flowers that are nutritious food sources for pollinators like the honey bee. To support honey bee health, Canada's agriculture community created Bees Matter, an initiative to restate agriculture's commitment to honey bees and bring knowledge to the Canadian public about how they can get involved to help honey bees thrive.
Eligibility
- Open to all Canadian communities.
Entries should address the following:
* Has your community planted a pollinator-friendly garden?
* Did you choose any specific plants to help attract pollinators?
* Do you have educational activities on pollinators?
* Have you received, and how did you distribute, the Buzzing Gardens* seed packages?
* Buzzing Gardens allows Canadians to help feed honeybees by signing up at www.beesmatter.ca for a free Buzzing Garden seed kit, which includes pollinator-friendly plants. The seeds in the kit were selected in partnership with Pollinator Partnership Canada.
The objective of this award is to recognize efforts and involvement in projects and initiatives that engage the community with indoor and outdoor activities from November through March.
Eligibility
Open to all Canadian communities.
Submissions will be evaluated under 3 primary criteria:
Holiday Celebrations (Nov / Dec 2017)
Information should include:
- Visual programs (lighting events, competitions)
- Holiday events (parades, festivals, entertainment)
- Public programming
Winter Activities (Nov 2017 - Mar 2018)
Information should include:
- Festivals and events celebrating the community in winter
- Sports and other programming
- Use of public spaces
Community Outreach (Nov 2017 - Mar 2018)
Information should include:
- Programs and initiatives that improve quality of life in the community (such as goodwill programs)
- Programs and initiatives that encourage community engagement, including participation of seniors, youth, new residents
Supporting material should include:
- Identification of the programs and initiatives included in the submission
- Indication of multiple sector involvement:
- Municipal leadership and participation
- Corporate support
- Participation of service groups where appropriate
- Citizen engagement and participation
- Visual support (media/press clippings, promotional materials)
- Time duration of the initiatives
- Outline of means planned to sustain the initiatives
As part of the recognition for this award, a photo of the winning community will be featured on the cover of Municipal World Magazine in December 2018.
