I am quite excited that we have more cities participating in America in Bloom this year (42) than we’ve had in a while. I think it speaks to the improving economic conditions at the local level, as well as the recognition that quality landscapes are one of the best forms of economic development that a city or community can engage in.

It’s also exciting to consider that we have a good mix of small and medium-sized cities this year, with a number of first-time communities. Obviously, word is getting out about the AIB program and the good results communities are realizing from participating.

We’ve already had some great things happen in AIB this year with a eye-popping, show-stopping presence at the Philadelphia Flower Show; the finalizing of the parameters of our CN Railway partnership; an inspiring lineup of symposium speakers are already booked; and other innovative programming I will share with you later in the year. In addition, with the influx of new talent coming onto the board to augment the already-stellar lineup of servant leaders we have, I am very bullish on the future of our organization!

We are also in the midst of setting up judging visits for the 42 cities participating and the excitement is building daily. We have one of the best slates of judges that we’ve ever had (of course, it seems I say that every year), with diverse talent and expertise you’d only expect from a large multi-national company. These folks are truly worth their weight in gold because of the countless volunteer hours spent to make our awards program one of the best economic development investments a community can make!

Sponsorships are also coming in at a steady pace and many firms in the horticultural industry are finding that their ties to their local communities’ beautification efforts translate not only into expanded business opportunities, but an occasion to also educate the local citizenry about the added value associated with beautification.

Speaking of which, AIB Past President Marvin Miller shared with me yet another study about the value of green infrastructure in communities. This one came from the Philadelphia Water Department of all places. When they started the 25-year, $2.4 billion Green City, Clean Waters plan in 2011, the idea was that they could better manage their stormwater and reduce combined sewer overflows by leading with green infrastructure, as opposed to only using gray infrastructure, and that it would also have additional social and economic benefits. They called it their “triple bottom line" approach.

While the environmental benefits and economic benefits are quantifiable, the social benefits are harder to measure. But a recent study, published this January in the American Journal of Public Health, indicates that the green stormwater infrastructure they’ve installed in Philadelphia does indeed have social benefits as well.

The study, led by Michelle Kondo, formerly a postdoctoral student at the University of Pennsylvania's Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics and now a scientist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service in Philadelphia, looked at 52 green stormwater projects in Philadelphia and found consistent and statistically significant reductions in narcotic possession and manufacture, as well as burglaries near those sites (as far as a half mile away, in fact). 

The study controlled for a number of other factors—gentrification, general improvements in quality of life, etc.—that had occurred over the 12 years of the study and yielded a strong positive correlation between the presence of a Green City, Clean Waters project and fewer incidents of drug possession.

Clearly, there’s still more studying to be done so we can determine links to other improvements in overall quality of life measures and reductions in crime, but results like these are very encouraging. Studies like this help demonstrate the return on investment for green infrastructure projects and that the triple bottom line approach is truly paying off.

Here in Texas, spring has sprung in big-time fashion. My family’s own gardening efforts have paid off -- as I am writing this, the blooms on my iris and roses are already incredulous. Trees are sprouting leaves and the canopy around my back yard is at least 20 shades of green. I know I’ll pay for this in August when the heat is mind numbing, but for now this place is paradise. So enjoy your spring wherever you call home and let’s all remember the joys of intricately crafted scenes of nature performing at their best.