BARRHEAD – Communities in Bloom announced that an evaluation of their work happened on July 26.
Generous volunteers give their time to prepare and maintain flower and plant displays, plant shrubs in public areas and share in greenery programs that are beneficial to the community.
The colour, the pleasing displays, and the flare of their work are a delight to residents and visitors.
It is not just about flowers. The program focuses on contributing to heritage, conservation and environmental improvements explained Shelley Batdorf, Chairperson of the Barrhead Communities in Bloom.
Barrhead has competed in the challenge in previous years.
This year, Barrhead is participating in the Friends Evaluated program.
Businesses in town received the services of volunteers who planted greenery in the planters outside of the businesses, cleaned up landscapes around businesses and contributed to public areas.
Batdorf explained that the shrubs selected for the skatepark are low-growing and low-maintenance to fit the location and the conditions.
Barrhead Communities in Bloom have also partnered with Scotts Canada, McKenzie Seeds and Pacific Foods to support the Plant-Grow-Share a Row program at the community garden, supplying the seeds. Seeds were donated to FCSS.
They arranged for gardeners to plant a row for themselves and then plant another row to share with the food bank or a needy family.
The group supports Dunstable School with seeds for their tower gardens program.
Communities in Bloom in Alberta strive to meet their motto of “growing great places together”.
Batdorf stated that there will be a Best Gardens initiative in August supported by Scotts Canada and Miracle-Gro and several initiatives next year.
Communities are judged on six key factors; community appearance, environmental action, heritage conservation, tree management, landscape, plant and floral displays.
A group of qualified professional volunteers join together to form the jury that visits communities to complete the judging.
These are accomplished individuals who have gained a reputation for excellence through work in their own communities whether in a municipal, private, corporate, institutional group or community resident.
The benefits of the Communities in Bloom program are that it creates pride and a positive sense of community. Being a volunteer-led initiative run by a committee, there is ownership and accountability, says a coordinator of the program.
“Communities in Bloom goes beyond looking good. It’s about civic pride, a sense of community, and bringing on improvements within the community,” explains Sharon Miller, provincial coordinator of the Communities in Bloom Alberta Society.
“It ties into economic development, community health, and so many aspects of a community.”
Communities in Bloom originated with support from Britain in Bloom, Tidy Towns of Ireland and Villes et Villages Fleuris de France.
The first edition was held in 1995, and 29 municipalities participated in the program. The Communities in Bloom program has blossomed across the United States, Asia and European countries with over 900 municipalities participating each year.
In January 2024, Communities in Bloom received viceregal patronage by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada.
Viceregal patronage is grants to national organizations and associations that have goals and objectives that align with the Governor General, who have shown superior contributions to society.
“Viceregal Patronage of the Governor General is important not only to our organization but also to the hundreds of communities throughout Canada involved in the Communities in Bloom program,” said Susan Ellis, CiB Judge and National Chairperson on their website.
“This support and recognition emphasizes the incredible work that all volunteers are doing to help their communities be better places in which to live, work, and play.”
Batdorf said there are twelve active members and they are always looking for new members.
People interested in volunteering can contact Batdorf at 780-305-6310.
