Fourth Edition of CN EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up program

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

For CN: Jim Feeny, Director Public & Government Affairs, [phone], [email protected]; For Tree Canada: Richard Walker, Director of Communications and Program Development, [phone], ext.224, [email protected]; For Communities in Bloom: Vivian Shum, Marketing Communications, [phone] - [email protected]