OTTAWA,
Oct. 25, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - CN (TSX:
CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today announced it will extend its CN
EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program for another three
years owing to a strong response from many Canadian communities to
the program's inaugural 2012-13 launch. CN will provide grants of
as much as $25,000 apiece in matching
funds to more than 100 Canadian communities in 2014-16 to help
green public properties. Since CN initiated the program in 2012,
community support of the program has been strong, with nearly 200
communities applying for funds. A total of 55 applications have
been approved.
"We are honoured by the breadth of interest being
shown in the program by communities across Canada," said Sean Finn, CN Executive
Vice-President, Corporate Services, and Chief Legal Officer. "The
projects we're seeing are outstanding for their scope and
creativity. What is especially impressive is the connection being
made between CN and these communities - we're all learning that
greening and sustainability are objectives we have in common and
can work together to achieve.
CN's EcoConnexions From the Ground Up
program will continue to invite applications for tree planting and
other green spaces programs each year in communities across its
network. Planting trees and improving green spaces in these
locations will not only help beautify these areas, but will also
provide natural noise and visual barriers, help purify air, provide
shade and habitat for songbirds, and decrease soil erosion.
CN works in partnership with two prominent national
organizations on the program. Tree Canada has a 20-year reputation for empowering
communities to develop and maintain healthy urban and rural
forests. Communities in Bloom is renowned in communities across
Canada for its work in enhancing
green spaces. These have worked with CN in developing and
implementing the program to ensure quality greening projects
established across the country.
"CN has led the way in connecting Canadians for
close to a century," says Tree Canada President Michael Rosen. "We have already seen our
national landscape improve through the opportunities provided to
municipalities and Aboriginal communities through From the
Ground Up. Tree Canada is
proud to be a part of this fantastic initiative."
"The projects undertaken in 2012 and 2013 have
exceeded our expectations," said Raymond Carrière, Founding
President of Communities in Bloom. "Not only has the From
the Ground Up program enabled communities to create green
spaces, it has also demonstrated sustainability such as creating
environments to learn about urban forestry and composting, provide
play areas in much needed areas, establish natural buffer areas,
and much more.
CN's EcoConnexions From the Ground Up
program will provide grants to communities selected on the basis of
a simple on-line application which includes criteria such as the
community's ability to match CN's grant, community engagement and
the long term sustainability of the plantings. CN is now accepting
applications for the 2014 program. Complete details on the program
and an application form are available at
www.cnfromthegroundup.ca.
About CN
CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) is a true backbone of the economy,
transporting approximately C$250
billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business
sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to
consumer goods, across a rail network spanning Canada and mid-America. CN - Canadian National
Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries --
serves the cities and ports of Vancouver, Prince
Rupert, B.C., Montreal,
Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of
Toronto, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Calgary, Chicago, Memphis, Detroit, Duluth,
Minn./Superior, Wis., and
Jackson, Miss., with connections
to all points in North America.
For more information on CN, visit the company's website at
www.cn.ca.
About Tree Canada
Tree Canada is a not-for-profit
charitable organization established to encourage Canadians to plant
and care for trees in urban and rural environments. Tree
Canada engages Canadian companies, government agencies and
individuals to support the planting of trees, the greening of
schoolyards, and other efforts to sensitize Canadians to the
benefits of planting and maintaining trees. To date, almost 80
million trees have been planted, 540 schoolyards have been greened,
and Tree Canada has helped organize nine national urban forest
conferences. More information about Tree Canada is available at
www.treecanada.ca.
About Communities in Bloom
Communities in Bloom is a Canadian non-profit organization
committed to fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility
and beautification through community involvement and the challenge
of a national program, with focus on the enhancement of green
spaces. The pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment
generated through participation are visible in communities across
Canada. For more information about
Communities in Bloom, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca.
SOURCE CN