MU declared national champion for landscaping, flora

MU recently was honored for its beautiful gardens by America in Bloom, an Ohio-based, non-profit organization "dedicated to promoting nationwide beautification programs and both personal and community involvement through the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements…." MU was declared the organization's national champion in the "University Campus" category.

“WOW! The judges are extremely impressed” read the official evaluation of MU's campus landscaping and floral achievements at the America in Bloom's national awards ceremony September 30, in Eureka Springs, Ark.

So “wow-ed” and impressed were the judges that, in AIB's annual, national contest among municipalities and universities, MU was not only declared national “Champion” in the university category of entrants, but also received a special-recognition citation award in AIB’s Urban Forestry category: “[Y]ou do an outstanding job … with the quality, diversity and placement of trees on campus … The diversity of species is incredible … Congratulations on your exemplary efforts,” the judges wrote.

The university in February 2006 entered AIB’s national friendly competition. In June, two of the volunteer organization’s panel of 26 judges, all qualified horticulture professionals, came to Columbia. They spent two days touring and inspecting the campus flora Management, Planning, Maintenance, Improvement and Innovation programs vis-à-vis eight criteria: Floral Displays, Environment Awareness, Landscaped Areas, Tidiness, Urban Forestry, Heritage Preservation, Turf and Groundcovers and Community Involvement. When judges completed inspections of all the participating “competitors” municipalities and universities nationwide, MU was chosen their “Champion” university.

Judges who visited MU were Pam Bennett, director of the Ohio State University Extension for Clark County, Ohio, who coordinates OSU's master gardener extension program and conducts and coordinates horticulture programs; and Jack Clasen, a master gardener and retired professor of horticulture, who has been involved with AIB since its inception and serves on several of the organization's committees. Both saw firsthand MU's commitment to maintaining its picturesque, historic floral landscape.

Other championship achievements were also singled out: “Congratulations on your recognition for participation in the Plants of Merit program,” the judges observed. “MU's Landscape Services department is congratulated for its desire and commitment to preserve and expand the beauty of the campus and surrounding areas. Their diligent efforts to enhance new designs and buildings, as well as protect established trees and shrubs, are commendable,” Bennett and Clasen wrote. “The initiative to become a Botanic Garden is a bold step for the campus and is applauded. The Leaflet newsletter is a great outreach opportunity to let others know of the rich diversity of plant material on campus as well as the commitment to preserve the heritage of the area,” they declared.

“We're pleased that our hard work has paid off,” Millier said. “It's nice to be recognized nationally for our educational and beautification efforts.”

America in Bloom, headquartered in Ohio, is an independent, privately funded, volunteer-based, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Its annual, nationwide contest encourages civic involvement and gives national recognition to municipalities and universities in the United States for their floral accomplishments.