By Jocelyn Bogen
September 17, 2012

The Conference of Mayors launched the 2013 GRO1000 Garden and Green Space Grant Awards Program on September 17 that recognize mayoral leadership in the development of greenscapes across the nation

The program is made possible by the support of Scotts Miracle-Gro, the world’s largest marketer of branded consumer lawn and garden products. Its strong commitment to garden and green space development in cities is demonstrated by its support of the GRO1000 Gardens and Green Spaces Grant Awards Program. Last January, Baltimore Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake, Columbia (SC) Mayor Steven Benjamin, Cleveland Mayor Frank Jackson, Corpus Christi (TX) Mayor Joe Adame, and San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee, were awarded grants in the 2012 GRO1000 Gardens and Green Spaces Grant Awards Program during The U.S. Conference of Mayors 80th Winter Meeting in Washington (DC).

This January, the Conference of Mayors will honor five cities with grants for innovative projects to create a new or add a significant addition to an existing garden or greenspace. The awards are $25,000 - $15,000 cash; $10,000 in-kind product. GRO1000 Garden and Green Space Awards Program application guidelines and application link can be found online at: www.usmayors.org/gro1000.

The 2013 awards promote and recognize mayoral leadership in the development of green scapes across the nation, and will be presented at the 81st Winter Meeting in January 17-19, 2013, in Washington (DC). Local dedication events will be held from March through June, 2013. GRO1000 will establish 1,000 community gardens and green spaces in the U.S., Canada and Europe by 2018. The program is designed to help communities and its residents experience the benefits of community gardening and green spaces and support local hunger needs.

Applications are due Friday, October 26, and consist of a brief description, responses to a series of questions, and a statement of support from the mayor. Finalists will be notified by December 16. All mayors are eligible to apply. For more information, contact Jocelyn Bogen at jbogen@usmayors.org or 202-861-6727.