The Canadian Landscape Association (CNLA) is pleased to announce that an agreement to acquire Communities in Bloom (CIB) has been reached. The governance and ownership of the CIB Program is now under the umbrella of the CNLA. This strategic alliance will deliver an orderly succession of directors and staff, sustain the integrity of the CIB Program, and will provide exciting new opportunities for the future. CIB and CNLA share many of the same values that promote the greening of cities and foster environmental, economic and lifestyle benefits to Canadians.
The new Board of Directors is comprised of five Directors from CNLA and four Directors from the former CIB Board. Bob Lewis, Susan Ellis, Darlene Kalawsky and John Lohuis (Vice Chair) are the former CIB Directors on the new Board. The CNLA members on the Board are Paul Brydges (Chair), Bill Hardy (Treasurer), Rene Thiebaud, Alan White, and Scott Wentworth.
The CIB board will take this opportunity to review the program and develop new strategies while maintaining the important relationships with communities, provincial organizations, existing sponsors and other partners. We look forward to sharing more as the program rolls out over the upcoming year.
Board of Directors From Left to Right: Scott Wentworth, Susan Ellis, Alan White, Bill Hardy (Treasurer), Paul Brydges (Chair), Bob Lewis, Darlene Kalawsky, John Lohuis (Vice Chair) are Rene Thiebaud.
About CNLA
The Canadian Nursery Landscape Association (CNLA) is a national not-for-profit federated industry trade association of nine provincial landscape and horticulture associations representing over 4,000 members in the landscape, retail garden centre, and nursery sectors. The Association dates back to the 1922 formation of the Eastern Canada Nurserymen's Association, with members mainly comprised from Ontario and Quebec. Formerly the Canadian Nursery Trades Association, the Association was re-named in 1998 to better reflect the nature of its members. To learn more, visit www.cnla-acpp.ca.
“As Chair of CIB I hope to further develop a strategic alliance between CNLA and CIB to help municipalities and private individuals create and enhance greenspace of all sizes and further educate the public on the value of protecting our environment.”
“We are confident that CNLA will provide a strong support base for the future, and we look forward working with CNLA to take Communities in Bloom to new horizons. As we have done in the past, we will continue to assist greening communities, while also showcasing and celebrating their achievements and civic pride throughout Canada and internationally.”
“On behalf of all those involved in the Communities in Bloom program, over the past 25 years, let me thank CNLA for its commitment to the sustainability of the program and the support of the dedicated volunteers, elected officials and municipal staff throughout the country, in making our communities a better places to live in, to work in, to visit - and to face our environmental challenges.”
