MONTREAL,
May 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ - CN (TSX:
CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today announced the successful candidates for its
2014 From the Ground Up program. Thirty communities were
selected amongst 191 applications to receive grants of up to
$25,000 each in the third edition of
the program. The objective of the CN EcoConnexions - From the
Ground Up program is to promote the greening of municipal
properties across Canada,
especially areas in close proximity to rail lines. CN, and its
partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom, help Canadian
municipalities establish tree planting and green space enhancement
initiatives in a sustainable, environmentally responsible
manner.
"CN is pleased to contribute to the projects that will provide
environmental, health and social benefits to the communities" said
Claude Mongeau, CN president and chief executive Officer. "We are
amazed by the projects submitted: the projects we're seeing are
outstanding for their scope and creativity. What is truly
valuable is the connection being made between CN and these
communities - we are proud to be working together for the wellbeing
of the communities on our network.
Successful candidates were chosen on the basis of rigorous
selection criteria developed and overseen by CN's program partners,
Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom. The two organizations rated
each application on those criteria and presented a ranked list of
programs to CN which selected final candidates from the top-ranked
communities. Communities in Bloom and Tree Canada will
provide guidance in the achievements of the chosen projects.
"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."
"Communities in Bloom is proud to be a partner of the CN
EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up program" said Raymond
Carrière, Founding President of Communities in Bloom. "We are
privileged to work with CN and Tree Canada along with the recipient
communities in the conservation of our natural heritage and
enhancement of green spaces and quality of life improvement through
these projects."
Civic support for the tree-planting program has been strong
since CN initiated it in 2012, with nearly 400 communities applying
for funds. This year's recipients bring the total to 85
communities throughout Canada to
have benefited from funding through the CN EcoConnexions - From
the Ground Up program. Complete details on the program
are available at www.cnfromthegroundup.ca.
CN EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up 2014 successful
applicants
Click here to view a description of each project.
Click here to access a map of the projects.
Squamish River Watershed Society, B.C.
City of Fort St. John, B.C.
District of Fort St. James,
B.C.
Village of Lytton, B.C.
City of Red Deer, Alta.
Strathcona County, Alta.
City of Spruce Grove, Alta.
Town of Sexsmith, Alta.
City of Moose Jaw, Sask.
Town of Wadena, Sask.
Town of Kindersley, Sask.
Village of Waseca, Sask.
City of Brandon, Man.
Town of Gladstone, Man.
Rural Municipality of Miniota,
Man.
City of Brampton, Ont.
Town of Milton, Ont.
Municipality of Port Hope,
Ont.
City of Oshawa, Ont.
City of Vaughan, Ont.
Green Venture, Hamilton, Ont.
City of Niagara Falls, Ont.
Ville de Drummondville, Que.
Ville de Lévis, Que.
Ville de Rivière-du-Loup, Que.
Nature-Action Québec, Boucherville,
Que.
City of Moncton, N.B.
Ville d'Edmundston, N.B.
Quispamsis Elementary School Home and School Committee, N.B.
Ville de Grand-Sault, N.B.
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.
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, over 80
million trees have been planted, over 550 schoolyards have been
greened, and Tree Canada has helped organize ten national urban
forest conferences. This year's Canadian Urban Forest Conference
will take place in Victoria, BC
from September 30-October 2, 2014.
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