We are launching a new initiative to recognize smaller communities and special places around the province. Every community has special gems that often under appreciated. Below is the Vedder Traffic Circle in Chilliwack that we featured in the June newsletter. Check out more 'Looking Good' shout outs in this month's newsletter.

Celebrating commUnity Success
Langley – Congratulations to all our participants who have, no doubt, been challenged by the events of the last few years. Recovery and resilience are clearly on display for these Communities in Bloom participants.
Certificates, 5-Bloom Street Banners and Criteria Trophies have been awarded to participants in the BC Communities in Bloom program.
Achieving 4 and 5-Blooms is an amazing accomplishment of collaboration from municipal, business, residents and service groups. Congratulations to all our ‘in Bloom’ participants who are making their communities be the best they can be through the nationwide Communities in Bloom program of “Growing Great Places Together”.

2023 PROVINCIAL EDITION      RESULTS               Mention or Project Name
Hope, District of                         5-Blooms              A Community that Works Together
100 Mile House, District of        4-Blooms              Landscaping around the Municipal Sani-Dump
Armstrong, City of                     4-Blooms              Volunteering is a Work of Heart
Abbotsford, City of                       Friend                    Non-Evaluated
Castlegar, City of                         Friend                    Castlegar CiB Business Planter Program + National Finalist
Clinton, Village of                        Friend                    School Children Planting Village Planters
Coquitlam, City of                        Friend                    Inspiration Garden Showcase + National Finalist
Kitimat, District of                        Friend                    Non-Evaluated
Lake Country Garden Club         Showcase              Pollinator and Xeriscape Gateway Garden
Prince George, City of                 Friend                    Non-Evaluated
Qualicum Beach, Town of           Friend                     Multiple Showcase Projects
Marlys Diamond                          Showcase              Berwick Qualicum Beach Pollinator Garden with Rangers
Sicamous, District of                   Friend                     Sicamous CiB Community Updates
 
CRITERIA AWARDS                                            SPONSORED BY                           WINNER                               
PLANT & FLORAL DISPLAY                                  Teck Resources Limited              Armstrong                        
COMMUNITY APPEARANCE                                 Urban Systems                           100 Mile House 
OUTSTANDING COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT      BC CiB                                        Hope CiB Group
We acknowledge our Sponsors whose financial support makes it possible for us to deliver the CiB program.

COMMUNITY CHAMPION AWARD - BC Communities in Bloom Sponsored
Shirley Fowler from Armstrong was nominated by the BC Communities in Bloom Board. This award recognizes an individual who is involved locally and provincially. Shirley has been a driving force with the Armstrong CiB group since 2004. She has also promoted the many benefits the provincial ‘in Bloom’ program as a judge, board member and former chair.

BC’S NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL 5-BLOOM FINALISTS
Results for Castlegar, Coquitlam and Trail will be announced September 30th at the National Communities in Bloom Awards being held in Fort MacMurray (Wood Buffalo), Alberta.                                                          
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BRITISH COLUMBIA COMMUNITIES IN BLOOM
Catherine Kennedy, Executive Director Phone: (604) 576-6506 or Email: [email protected]
19951 Fraser Highway, Langley, British Columbia V5A 4E2

Stay tuned for more information about National and International winners being announced on Saturday, October 22nd at the Communities in Bloom Awards and Symposium being held at the Crystal Garden.
BC Communities in Bloom also has a few extra surprises to announce at the end our Provincial Edition results slide show profiling this year's participants.  

This month's newsletter and past newsletters are available for download here.

Recently a group of former BC Communities in Bloom Judges and Board members gathered on Zoom with a few of our current membership. What a delight it was to see so many familiar faces from the past and hear about some of their favourite BC CiB memories. Thanks everyone!

This year's British Columbia Communities in Bloom program will offer a couple of program options in an effort to provide collaboration and recognition opportunities for your community.

The modified evaluation and novice 'Check-Up' program will allow for more one on one with virtual judges. The purpose is to provide as much inspiration and help to participants who want a CiB program in their community but are still working with limited resources and people. The showcase 'Love your Neighbourhood' is an opportunity to celebrate projects or areas in communities of any size.

This year's program objectives are to: recognize local CiB efforts in the recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic; link BC 'in Bloom' communities to each other; encourage well-being through outdoor low-cost activities. In addition to encouraging arts & culture and environmental initiatives that deserve recognition.

We don't expect 2021 to be normal quite yet, but the enthusiasm for positive outdoor engagement opportunities may be the best thing for us all, for now. 
Find out how you can get involved by linking to the website at the top of this article.