Guest Column: Spring cleaning takes on new meaning with America in Bloom

This time of year, our thoughts turn to spring cleaning. Whether at home or at the office, it is satisfying to spruce up our surroundings. What about sprucing up an entire community? It might sound like a big task, but that is exactly what Columbia did by participating in the America in Bloom program.

America in Bloom is a national program created in 2001 to promote community beautification, cleanliness and environmental efforts. More than 150 communities have participated in the program, which evaluates how municipal, commercial and residential factors contribute to overall community appearance.

As Columbia seeks to position itself as great place to visit, live and do business, America in Bloom provides an opportunity to get unbiased feedback on what we are doing well and what we can do better.

Two America in Bloom judges will visit Columbia June 23 and 24. They will evaluate Columbia in eight areas: tidiness; environmental effort; community involvement; heritage preservation; urban forestry; landscaped areas; floral displays; and turf and groundcovers.

Columbia will receive detailed feedback from the judges, and during the America in Bloom conference in October, overall winners will be awarded in divisions determined by community size. Outstanding efforts in the eight categories will also be recognized.

What makes Columbia great?

If you’re like me, you think Columbia is a pretty great place with a long-standing “clean and green consciousness.”

Lest we take things for granted, here is a short list of some of our efforts we have documented through America in Bloom:

• Tidiness: One hundred volunteer groups and individuals participate in the city’s the Adopt-A-Spot Litter Control program. On April 12, in spite of the chilly temperatures, an estimated 1,200 volunteers picked up 1,548 bags of trash and logged 2,150 hours of service. More than 450 volunteers attended the post-cleanup luncheun at Twin Lakes. More than 150 volunteers who missed the event because of bad weather are expected to reschedule their pickup within the next month.

• Environmental Efforts: From blue bag recycling to composting to green power, Columbia stays on the forefront of environmental activities.

• Community Involvement: Columbia is full of volunteers! Dozens of volunteers help with recycling efforts, beautification activities and community events.

• Heritage Preservation: Our city is dotted with historic structures. This year, the Historic Preservation Commission recognized its 100th “Most Notable Property.”

• Urban Forestry: Columbia is a perennial Tree City USA and is recognized by Tree Line USA for work near power lines. More than 250 volunteers have participated in the TreeKeeper program since 1998.

• Landscaped Areas: Volunteer groups, many of them businesses groups, care for more than 80 landscaped beds on city or state right-of-ways through the Adopt-A-Spot Beautification Program.

• Floral Displays: The Columbia Special Business District and the city’s Parks & Recreation Department have a great partnership in planting the flowers we will soon enjoy seeing in downtown planters.

What you can do

America in Bloom is about more than what local government is doing. Our evaluation will also address the efforts of businesses and residents. Here’s how you can help:

• Help beautify our city by planting flowers at your business or residence or picking up litter as you go for a walk.

• Tell us about businesses or homes you enjoy seeing. If they are doing a good job with their landscaping and floral displays, we may want to make sure the judges see them when they visit.

Columbia’s participation in the program is being coordinated by the Office of Volunteer Services. Information on America in Bloom is posted on the city’s Web site at www.GoColumbiaMo.com. To learn more, contact Leigh Britt, volunteer coordinator, at 874-7504.