ScottsMiracle-Gro and The U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced the recipients of the 2012 GRO1000 Gardens and Green Spaces Grant Awards Program. The grants, which focus on improving our nation’s cities through the development of community gardens and green spaces, were announced at The U.S. Conference of Mayors’ 80th Winter Meeting in Washington, DC.

This year’s winning cities are:

• Baltimore -  Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake
• Columbia, SC - Mayor Steven Benjamin
• Cleveland - Mayor Frank Jackson
• Corpus Christi, Texas - Mayor Joe Adame
• San Francisco - Mayor Edwin Lee

"Over the last several years, The Conference has pushed for cities to develop community gardens to enhance the health and quality of life in our neighborhoods," said Conference President Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. "This new Grant Awards Program shines an important spotlight on mayoral efforts to support innovative gardens and green spaces."

Last November, the two organizations formed a new partnership to help more cities across the nation enjoy the benefits of gardens and green spaces. The partnership awards grants to cities for the creation of innovative public gardens and green spaces, and recognizes mayoral stewardship in the development of urban greenscapes.

"The importance that a garden can have in a community is irrefutable," said ScottsMiracle-Gro CEO Jim Hagedorn. "We were inspired by the innovative ways that mayors across America are using gardens and green spaces to improve their cities. From fostering urban revitalization to developing edible gardens for its citizens, the winners of these grants truly demonstrate the power that gardens can have in a community.

"We are proud to provide support for these efforts and look forward to helping each of these cities bring their projects to life."

A panel of former mayors and national garden experts selected this year’s winning cities, each receiving a $25,000 grant.

"Mayors understand that gardens and green spaces are important to the quality-of-life for their residents, and the Conference of Mayors, in partnership with ScottsMiracle-Gro is pleased to be able to provide grants to help them expand green spaces in their cities," said Tom Cochran, USCM CEO and Executive Director.