CN launches EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program to green public properties across Canada

MONTREAL, May 23, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today announced a program to help municipalities and First Nations communities across Canada green public properties with its partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom.

As part of the CN EcoConnexions initiative, CN's EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program will seek applications for tree planting and other greening programs in communities across its network, with a particular emphasis on properties adjacent to its rail lines. Planting trees in these locations will not only help beautify these areas, but will also provide natural noise and visual barriers, and provide many other environmental and social benefits.

"CN is proud to bring this innovative program to promote tree-planting to communities along the CN corridor," said John F. Orr, CN vice-president and chief safety and sustainability officer. "Trees are an important part of sustainable urban landscapes. They help purify air, provide shade and habitat for songbirds, decrease soil erosion and help manage storm water."

CN is especially pleased to partner with two prominent, national organizations to implement this 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 beautifying the urban landscape. These two organizations are working with CN to develop a comprehensive program that will see quality greening projects established across the country.

"CN has led the way in connecting Canadians for close to a century," said Tree Canada President Michael Rosen. "Through opportunities like From the Ground Up, CN is helping municipalities and First Nations communities improve our national landscape for future generations to enjoy. Tree Canada is honoured to be a part of this fantastic initiative."

"Communities in Bloom is proud to be involved in the program," said Raymond Carrière, Founding President of Communities in Bloom.  "CN's From the Ground Up program will be another demonstration of the social, environmental and economical benefits of green spaces in making Canadian communities better places to live in, to work in and to visit".

CN's EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program will provide grants of up to $25,000 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. Complete details on the program and an application form are available at www.cnfromthegroundup.ca.

About CN
CN - Canadian National Railway Company and its operating railway subsidiaries - spans Canada and mid-America, from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico, serving the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal, Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the key metropolitan areas of Toronto, Buffalo, Chicago, Detroit, Duluth, Minn./Superior, Wis., Green Bay, Wis., Minneapolis/St. Paul, Memphis, 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, more than 77 million trees have been planted, 450 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 promotion and value 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.

Contacts:

For CN 
Jim Feeny          
Director, Public and Government Affairs
[phone] 
[email protected]
                                                            
For Tree Canada
Michael Rosen
President
[phone], ext.222 
[email protected]

For Communities in Bloom
Vivian Shum
Marketing and Communications
[phone]
[email protected]