North Bay Competes Nationally in Urgent Green Initiative Showcase

UPDATE: North Bay, Ontario, is under national spotlight today as judges from the prestigious Communities in Bloom competition assess its commitment to environmental stewardship and community collaboration. Tina Liu and Karen Stephenson are evaluating the city’s efforts to combat climate change and promote sustainability during their visit on October 4, 2023.

The judges have embarked on a comprehensive tour of North Bay’s natural and cultural highlights, including a morning walk through Laurier Woods and a local backyard garden. Their meticulous observations aim to document the city’s green initiatives, with Liu capturing notes and photographs to highlight North Bay’s dedication.

“The community involvement is very solid in North Bay,” Liu stated. “We actually saw during our tours that people just walk by something and pick up garbage.” This grassroots effort underscores the community’s commitment to a greener future.

This year, the competition focuses on six criteria: community appearance, environmental actions, tree management, heritage conservation, landscape, and plant and floral displays. Liu praised North Bay’s strategic planning, emphasizing, “We see the municipality has incorporated that into their master plan and strategic plan. This is what grows healthy communities.”

In 2023, North Bay achieved a perfect Bloom rating of 5/5 in the provincial phase of the competition, with an overall score of 83%. This remarkable feat secured the city’s place in the upcoming 2024 national competition, where judges commended the achievement as “outstanding for a first-time entrant.” The city maintained its momentum by earning another 5/5 rating this year with an improved score of 83.15%, along with accolades like the TECK Community Appearance Award.

During the festivities, Harriet Madigan, chairperson of Clean, Green, Beautiful North Bay, emphasized the importance of collective action. “We need to really use the word ‘we’ and not ‘I.’ That, and we’re going to manage climate change. We can’t change it,” she noted, underlining the need for community unity.

The judges are also engaging with local non-profits and residents at the Centennial Celebrations Festival this evening, further highlighting the community spirit that drives North Bay. The final results of the competition will be revealed in mid-October at a symposium and awards ceremony in Stratford, Ontario.

Despite the anticipation, Madigan expressed profound confidence in North Bay’s efforts. “We’ve already won because of how our community has come together,” she declared. “In my heart, I know we’ve already won.”

As the countdown to the results continues, North Bay’s commitment to sustainability and community pride stands as a testament to its hard work and dedication. Stay tuned for the final announcement that could mark another milestone for this environmentally focused community.