March 22 marked the beginning of a blooming transformation in Warren as the Communities in Bloom (CIB) initiative took root. The CIB committee, composed of dedicated community members, aims to revive community pride by beautifying Warren’s Local Urban District.
On Earth Day, Warren Collegiate and Elementary school students joined forces to clean up their town – filling a truck with collected garbage in just one hour. Their work was rewarded with a barbecue sponsored by local business Warren Fuels and the Warren & District Lions Club.
This event kick-started the CIB initiative and set a positive tone for future community-led efforts.
Warren’s CIB initiative is not just about planting flowers and trees; it’s about fostering community pride and environmental stewardship.
Chairperson Murray Scott told the Tribune that the main goal is to inspire citizens to take ownership of their town’s appearance.
“Our goal is to create civic pride and to keep in mind the environmental impact they (citizens) make in the town as well as improve beautification in the town.”
Warren CIB aims to beautify the town through various projects and initiatives and create a more inviting atmosphere for all residents.
By partnering with local schools, the committee plans to involve students in activities like town clean-ups and maintaining garden boxes during the summer months.
Residents are encouraged to enhance their landscapes, which can significantly impact Warren’s overall aesthetic appeal.
Additionally, initiatives like Yard of the Week and Business of the Month aim to recognize and celebrate attractive properties within the community.
In July, a team of CIB judges will visit Warren to evaluate the town’s beautification, environmental conservation, and heritage preservation efforts. This evaluation covers community appearance, tree management, and plant displays. Based on its performance, the town will receive a rating ranging from 1 to 5 blooms, and judges will provide detailed feedback on where the community has succeeded and offer suggestions for improvement.
CIB is an opportunity for Warren to showcase its commitment to creating a more beautiful and sustainable environment. The involvement of the entire community is essential in achieving this goal, and by participating, residents can actively contribute to making Warren a vibrant and welcoming place for all.
For 2024, the Canadian CIB has chosen orange plants as a symbolic gesture honouring Indigenous communities.
Since 1995, over 900 municipalities have participated in CIB annually at provincial, national and international levels. Thousands of municipal staff and volunteers of all ages help to foster, develop, and maintain activities and programs that benefit the entire community.
For more information on the Warren CIB initiative, contact Murray Scott at 204-797-8624 or murraydscott3@gmail.com
