OTTAWA, Oct. 25, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today
announced it will extend its CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program for another three years owing to a strong response from many
Canadian communities to the program's inaugural 2012-13 launch. CN will
provide grants of as much as $25,000 apiece in matching funds to more
than 100 Canadian communities in 2014-16 to help green public
properties. Since CN initiated the program in 2012, community support
of the program has been strong, with nearly 200 communities applying
for funds. A total of 55 applications have been approved.
"We are honoured by the breadth of interest being shown in the program
by communities across Canada," said Sean Finn, CN Executive
Vice-President, Corporate Services, and Chief Legal Officer. "The
projects we're seeing are outstanding for their scope and creativity.
What is especially impressive is the connection being made between CN
and these communities - we're all learning that greening and
sustainability are objectives we have in common and can work together
to achieve.
CN's EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program will continue to invite applications for tree planting and
other green spaces programs each year in communities across its
network. Planting trees and improving green spaces in these locations
will not only help beautify these areas, but will also provide natural
noise and visual barriers, help purify air, provide shade and habitat
for songbirds, and decrease soil erosion.
CN works in partnership with two prominent national organizations on the
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 in enhancing green spaces. These have worked with CN in developing
and implementing the program to ensure quality greening projects
established across the country.
"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."
"The projects undertaken in 2012 and 2013 have exceeded our
expectations," said Raymond Carrière, Founding President of Communities
in Bloom. "Not only has the From the Ground Up program enabled communities to create green spaces, it has also
demonstrated sustainability such as creating environments to learn
about urban forestry and composting, provide play areas in much needed
areas, establish natural buffer areas, and much more.
CN's EcoConnexions From the Ground Up program will provide grants 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. CN is now accepting
applications for the 2014 program. Complete details on the program and
an application form are available at www.cnfromthegroundup.ca.
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. 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, almost 80 million
trees have been planted, 540 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 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