2010 Green Thumb Contest: OMHM tenants launch a challenge to Montrealers!

Residents of public housing in Montreal are green activists and architects of a healthier, more sustainable city

MONTREAL, June 3 /CNW Telbec/ - How can we help improve our local environment and have fun at the same time? Thanks to the 15th edition of the Green Thumb Contest, organized by the Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal, public housing residents are setting an example in terms of enhancing their living space and making it more inviting. Based on the theme "Sow. Hoe. Grow.", this year's contest promotes balconies in bloom, beautified flower beds and organized vegetable gardens, while nurturing wellbeing and solidarity among neighbours.

Sowing the seeds of good health!

The participants' work has an impact not only on the buildings where they live, but also on the neighbourhood. "With the support of the contest, public housing residents create veritable oases of greenery. This project not only helps build a beautiful environment, but also makes people proud to be members of the community," said Alain Tassé, Verdun Councillor and Associate Councillor responsible for housing and citizen relations.

Using simple actions, limited resources and considerable ingenuity, the contest participants manage to transform their habitat. A source of inspiration and sharing, the contest promotes the involvement of families, but also that of the elderly and persons with reduced mobility.

Albert Mondor, horticulturist - garden designer and spokesperson for the 2010 Green Thumb Contest, explains how horticulture has an extremely positive effect on behaviour and physical and mental health. "Plants improve general wellbeing through their beauty, but also through their power to reduce greenhouse gases and urban heat islands. Horticulture is also good physical activity. Gentle and effective, it is easy to practice, develops concentration and promotes social interaction."

This beautification contest kicked off in 1996, with 130 participants, and 14 years later, over 500 participants are expected for the 2010 edition. Working individually or in small or large groups, tenants have an opportunity to develop their "green thumb" and showcase their talent.

Greenest Thumb!

When the 2010 edition of this contest wraps up, more than $15,000 in prizes will have been awarded in the Individual, Community and Greenest Thumb categories. Thanks to the contribution of the OMHM and generous sponsors, the winners will share over 40 prizes.

All contest participants, partners and sponsors will be invited to the prize-giving ceremony on September 30, 2010 at the Montreal Botanical Gardens.

The contest is reserved for tenants in OMHM housing and those interested must register before July 9, 2010. The contest entry form is included in La Rose des vents, the quarterly newsletter sent to all tenants. For more information, tenants can contact the OMHM at 514 872-2016.

    
    The contest video can be viewed on YouTube via the following link:
    http://www.youtube.com/user/LesPoucesVertsdesHLM
    

For further information: Elisa Baldet, [phone]; Source: Martin Després, Contest Coordinator, Office municipal d'habitation de Montréal, [phone]