Livable Chicago Wins Award at "Nations In Bloom"

Chicago recently won third-place honors at Nations in Bloom (NIB) 2002, the international awards program for livable communities. The NIB awards are the world's only international awards competition addressing the management of the local environment and the enhancement of quality of life.

Chicago was recognized for its many initiatives in support of the environment, including the Mayor's commitment to create habitat and protect birds through the urban Migratory Bird Treaty; the Chicago Park District's native landscaping, restoration work, and environmental education programs; and the city's partnership with the state to develop the 4,000-acre Calumet Open Space Reserve while protecting and preserving its rich natural areas.

More than 50 countries participated in the competition. Xiamen, China, came in first in the "daytime population over one million" category, and Hangzhou, China, came in second.

The City of Chicago also made headline news this January when it joined with leading U.S. and international companies to become founding members of the Chicago Climate Exchange, a voluntary cap-and-trade program for reducing and trading greenhouse gas emissions.

Wild applause for Chicago — Urbs in Horto — the city in a garden.