MONTREAL, Feb. 26, 2015 /CNW/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI)
today announced the successful candidates for its 2015 From the
Ground Up community tree-planting program. Thirty five
communities were selected amongst 159 applications to receive
grants of up to $25,000 each in this
fourth year of the program.
The objective of the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground
Up program is to promote community sustainability, through the
greening of municipal and community properties across Canada. CN and its partners Tree Canada and
Communities in Bloom, help Canadian municipalities and community
groups establish tree planting and green space enhancement
initiatives in a sustainable, environmentally responsible
manner.
"CN is proud of the warm reception this program has received
across Canada," said Claude
Mongeau, CN president and chief executive officer. "In the first
three years of this program, close to 40,000 trees and shrubs have
been planted in 85 communities, by schoolchildren, forestry
students, mayors, volunteers, CN pensioners and employees – the
people who live in these communities."
"We are all neighbours, CN and local citizens," said Mongeau,
"working together towards a sustainable future."
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 from which final candidates were selected.
Communities in Bloom and Tree Canada will provide guidance in the
development of the chosen projects.
"Tree Canada is thrilled to
continue to work with CN and Communities in Bloom to deliver CN
EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up to deserving communities
across Canada," says Michael Rosen, President of Tree Canada. "This
program not only provides funding, but much needed awareness to the
value of trees and green spaces to our health and wellbeing as well
as the environment. I have personally witnessed the impact this
program has had and can honestly say that CN has created a lasting
legacy of sustainability for present and future generations."
"The CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program
provides many benefits to communities: from improving municipal
landscapes, to enhancing green spaces for community activities, to
providing plants for healthy living," said Raymond Carrière,
Founding President of Communities in Bloom. "We are proud to work
with CN and Tree Canada on such projects making our communities
better places to live in, work in and to visit".
Civic support for the tree-planting program has been strong
since CN initiated it in 2012, with over 500 communities applying
for funds. This year's recipients bring the total to 124
communities across Canada to have
benefited from funding through the CN EcoConnexions – From the
Ground Up program. The program has now been extended into
the United States. Complete
details on the program are available at
www.cnfromthegroundup.ca.
CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up 2015 successful
applicants
Kwantlen Polytechnic University, Langley, BC
District of Chetwynd, BC
City of Kamloops, BC
District of Barriere, BC
City of Abbotsford, BC
Camrose Wildlife Stewardship Society, AB
Town of Mayerthorpe, AB
Town of Whitecourt, AB
Communities in Bloom – Vermilion,
AB
Town of Peace River, AB
Peers Area Community Group, Edson,
AB
Town of Vegreville, AB
Meewasin Valley Authority, Saskatoon,
SK
City of Melfort, SK
Crocus Trail Inc., Roblin, MB
City of Brandon, MB
Town of Essex, ON
City of Brantford, ON
Township of Brock, ON
Township of Hornepayne, ON
Town of Rainy River, ON
Ville en vert, Montréal, QC
Conseil régional environnement Mauricie, Saint-Tite, QC
Ville de Repentigny, QC
Société Patrimoine Matane, QC
Ville de Saint-Hyacinthe, QC
Les Amis des Jardins de Métis,
Grand-Métis, QC
Ville de Senneterre, QC
Centre de la Nature Mont Saint-Hilaire,
QC
Ville de Saint-Basile-le-Grand,
QC
City of Saint John, NB
Bathurst Sustainable Development, NB
Ville de Dieppe, NB
Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration, Sussex, NB
Town of Hay River, NT
Click here to view a description of each project.
Click here to access a map of the projects.
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, nearly 80 million trees have been
planted, over 550 schoolyards have been greened, and Tree Canada
has helped organize eleven national urban forest conferences. The
next Canadian Urban Forest Conference will take place in
Laval, QC in 2016. 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. The 2015 Symposium and Awards will be
held in Kamloops, BC from
September 30 to October 3. For
more information about Communities in Bloom, visit
www.communitiesinbloom.ca.
SOURCE CN