Communities in Bloom

		Welcome to the Mission Communities in Bloom Page…The District of Mission is proud to have received 5 out of 5 blooms for 2009!  The District was also the recipient of the award for the highest marks in our 20,000 to 50,000 population category.
		Congratulations and thank you to all who participated!

Communities in Bloom “CiB” is a Canada-wide non-profit organization with international affiliations dedicated to recognizing community projects that involve heritage, environmental awareness, and beautification. With the support and endorsement of the District of Mission, a local volunteer committee was formed in 2004 to undertake Mission’s annual participation in CiB. Several community groups were already working in these areas, and CiB is now uniting their efforts to achieve these goals in a spirit of friendly cooperation. Local Involvement Starting in April of each year, local residents are encouraged to enter the residential garden competition, and businesses are encouraged to compete in business categories. To enter the competition, participants complete a registration form located in the Spring edition of the Parks, Recreation and Culture Leisure Guide or from this webpage which they can then mail or drop off.  Participants can also register on-line during registration season. Thanks to all who participated!

Caitlin Rhododendron, the District of Mission’s Official Flower and its hybridizer Dr. Jim Marcellus

Provincial Program In annual competitions, provincial judges have consistently awarded Mission four out of five “Blooms.” In 2007, Mission won the Provincial award for Community Involvement.  By continuing to increase our score in seven categories each year, we have now reached the milestone of 5 out of 5 Blooms for 2008 and 2009. Local judging takes place the first week of July followed by an Awards Night, when participants celebrate their successes.  The provincial judges evaluate the following when they visit Mission: Environmental awareness activities; e.g. Adopt-a-Block Tree/Urban forestry; e.g. planting trees Turf and groundcover establishment or upkeep Floral displays; e.g. window boxes, etc. Landscaping “Tidying up” key areas Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation

In the category of Natural and Cultural Heritage Conservation, Mission CiB works with the Mission District Historical Society. In this category we are judged provincially on the preservation of traditions, customs, food and crafts, conservation / restoration, reuse of sites / buildings, and participation in heritage community events/activities.  The District of Mission was the recipient of the 2008 Provincial Award for Heritage Conservation, and a special mention to Heritage Awareness,  and in 2009 the award for the highest points in 20,000 to 50,0000 population category, with a special mention to the Silverdale Wetlands.  In 2007, Mission won the Provincial award for the Community Involvement with a special mention for Environmental Awareness.

In 2009 Mission C in B:

• Entered the Provincial competition.  The provincial judges’ visit was the middle of July.  Photo Albums and a manual were presented to the judges and the tour highlighted all our environmental and recycling programs.
• Garden of the Month.
• Newspaper Columns by Heather Stewart.
• Revamped traveling display boards where show at Garden works, Farmers Market, Garden Party, and Awards night.
• Hosted a Garden Party Fund Raiser which was held at the Jack’s “Ferncliff Garden’s”.
• Organized and ran Local competitions which had 155 entries over the 15 categories and the Spring Leisure guide ran the entry forms.  The Local schools responded and Boston Pizza treated about 40 kids to pizza for their efforts.
• Became a “Society” to give the organization sustainability and held our First Annual General Meeting.
• Liased with many organizations to get the word out about Communities in Bloom.  They are Chamber of Commerce (please note the new sign at the front of the Visitors Centre), Tourism Committee,  Town Square committee, Downtown business Association, District of Mission various departments, Environmental, Public Works, Forestry, Town Planning and Parks, Recreation and Culture in particular.  The Mission Farmers Market, Cultural Resources Commission, Mission Historical Society, and the Mission Arts Council.
• An Environmental Checklist was circulated to the businesses to try to find out what they are doing about recycling.
• Planted a tree on Earth Day

Contact: Mission Communities in Bloom Society,
32956 Orchid Drive, Mission, BC, V2V 6K6
or email: cinb@mission.ca

2012

Click here for the 2012 Beautify Mission Flyer & registration form.

Click here for the 2012 on-line registration form.

2011

Click here for the July, 2011 edition of the Provincial CinB Newsletter
featuring Mission’s very own raingarden project.

2010

Click here for the 2010 Mission Communities in Bloom winners.
(Large file – broadband connection recommended)

Click here for the 2010 CinB Manual.

2009

Click here for photos taken of Mission’s Communities in Bloom 2009.

Click here for the 2009 Evaluation Report from the Provincial judges.

Click here for the national Communities in Bloom website.