Celebrating its 18th edition, Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through community involvement and the challenge of a national program, with focus on the promotion of green spaces in community settings.

In 2012, hundreds of Canadian communities will be participating in the national and provincial editions of the program, along with municipalities from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Czech Republic, Singapore and Japan, who are taking part in the International Challenge.

In July and August, qualified volunteer judges will visit participating communities and evaluate each one on its overall performance within the following criteria: tidiness, environmental action, heritage conservation, urban forestry, landscape, turf & groundcovers, floral displays, and community involvement. The evaluation is based on the local conditions and achievements of citizens, businesses, organizations, institutions and the municipal government working together towards common objectives. The communities become part of an extensive information exchange network with other participants in a dynamic and rewarding process for continuous improvement.

The results will be announced at the National Awards Ceremonies, hosted this year by Edmonton Capital Region in Alberta on October 10th to the 13th. The concurrent 15th edition of the National Symposium on Parks and Grounds offers conference sessions, workshops, and technical visits on the Growing Vibrant and Sustainable Communities theme.

To support the educational aspect of its activities, the organization established the Communities in Bloom Foundation, a registered charity dedicated to funding, developing, and disseminating education and awareness on the value, improvement, importance and sustainable development of green spaces and natural environment in Canada.

His Excellency, the Right Honourable David Johnston, C.C., C.M.M., C.O.M., C.D. Governor General of Canada is the Patron of Communities in Bloom.

For more information, please visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca or contact us at (514)694-8871.

Thank you to our National Sponsors and partners

Home Hardware w Scotts

National Capital Commission w Zaunscherb Roberts Blair  w CN
Beauti-Tone w Teck w Ball Horticultural Company
Miracle-Gro w Turf Builder w Scotts EcoSense w RoundUp
Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) 
Nutrients for Life w Municipal World w VIA Rail Canada

“We first thought Communities in Bloom would be about flowers blooming and then we realized that the people in the community were the ones to really blossom.” Louisbourg, Nova Scotia

Since the launch of Communities in Bloom in 1995, we have often had to explain that the program was not just about flowers. As we all know, this program is about getting people involved in making their community a better place in which to live, work, and visit. In the process of obtaining comments from our current and past participants this past season, we received this quote from Louisbourg, and it is clearly so true. Sincere thanks to our volunteer judges, our sponsors, and to all the participants - the dedication of all those involved is what makes this program a success.

Thank you for your involvement.

Claudette Savaria,
National Chair