MONTREAL, May 2, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - 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
For CN
Jim Feeny
Director Public & Government Affairs
(514) 399-4768
[email protected]
For Tree Canada
Richard Walker
Director of Communications
(613) 567-5545, ext.224
[email protected]
For Communities in Bloom
Vivian Shum
Marketing and Communications
(514) 694-8871
[email protected]
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