For Immediate Release
Sep. 23, 2009, 10:56 a.m.
Kingston Is Finalist For Sustainable Development Award
Communities In Bloom Award Recognizes Sustainability Achievements
Kingston is one of three Canadian cities in the running for Communities in Bloom's prestigious Sustainable Development Award.
"Our entry was substantial. Kingston has so much to brag about when it comes to its sustainable development efforts, including: building on brownfields as we did with the K-Rock Centre, our very successful new Green Bin program, our strong community partnerships represented on bodies like the Kingston Environmental Advisory Forum and FOCUS Kingston - our list of achievements in this area is extremely long," says Sue Hitchcock, Coordinator of Kingston's Communities in Bloom program.
Award nominees had to be able to demonstrate overall excellence in their sustainable development efforts and a consequent positive impact on the community. The communities were evaluated on efforts such as policies and bylaws, levels of public engagement, energy conservation, alternative forms of energy, water conservation, waste management, environmental management, preservation of ecological resources, brownfields reclamation and the contribution of various sectors participating in sustainable development efforts.
The winner of the award will be announced at Communities in Bloom's National Awards Ceremonies in Vaughan, Ont. on Saturday, Oct. 3
The other finalists for the Award, sponsored by 2009 Canada Lands Company, are Strathcona County and Old - both Albertan communities.
For more on Communities in Bloom visit www.kingstonblooms.com. For more on the City's environmental sustainability efforts, visit www.cityofkingston.ca/cityhall/sustainability/environmental/, or join the conversation on Community Sustainability Planning at www.cityofkingston.ca/sustainability.
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Media contact information:
Cindie Ashton, Communications Officer, 613-546-4291, ext. 3116 (cell 329-3462). Or call the City of Kingston's media hotline at 613-546-4291, ext. 2300.
