National Garden Club receives the America in Bloom Spirit Award

America in Bloom today announced that the National Garden Clubs has been awarded the inaugural “America in Bloom Spirit Award.” The award recognizes organizations whose missions and activities are consistent and complementary to the goals of America in Bloom (AIB).

AIB promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees, and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. The National Garden Club promotes and supports gardening, beautification efforts, and the improvement of public spaces. With nearly 200,000 members worldwide, it is considered to be the largest organization of its kind.

National Garden Clubs (NGC) president Shirley Nicolai will accept the award at AIB’s 10th Anniversary Symposium & Awards Program in Washington, D.C. on October 6, 2011.

“We are thrilled to be recognized by AIB for our more than 80 years of service,” said Nicolai. “Just like AIB, NGC promotes the value of plants in our lives, conservation, environmental protection, and beautification. It is wonderful to be acknowledged by another organization that is also helping to improve the quality of life in our country and around the world.”

Marvin Miller, AIB’s president, stated, “NGC is a terrific organization and we are pleased to acknowledge them at our upcoming Symposium with our first-ever AIB Spirit Award.”

“As AIB celebrates its 10th anniversary it is fitting to acknowledge another organization that has been a leader in promoting gardening and the beautification of our nation. All of us should be grateful for their efforts and join me in thanking NGC for their great work,” said Miller.

The annual AIB symposium and awards event is an educational program developed specifically for communities to help them succeed in their beautification efforts. AIB will also celebrate and recognize the great things communities are doing to “plant pride” in America. At the 2011 event, awards will be presented in five different areas: criteria awards; population category awards; John R. Holmes III Community Champion Award; Special Awards;, and the YouTube Video Award. The conference will take place in the Washington, DC area on October 6-8, 2011 and is open for anyone to attend. Registration information is available at www.americainbloom.org