MONTREAL, April 22, 2016 /CNW/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today announced the successful candidates for its 2016 From the Ground Up community tree-planting program. Thirty one communities in Canada were selected amongst the 92 applications to receive grants of up to $25,000 each in this fifth 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. The program aims to enhance environmental and social health of communities.

"CN is committed to making a positive impact on the communities along our network, and we are proud to be part of a program that helps to make these communities better places to live, work and play," said Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of CN. "Since we started this program, more than 50,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in 120 communities across Canada, which not only add beauty, but is another way we positively contribute to a sustainable future one community at a time, as planting trees improve air quality and offset carbon emissions."

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 program partners 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 bringing 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."

"Communities in Bloom is proud to partner with CN and Tree Canada in delivering the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program. The enhancement of green spaces and tree planting provide economic, social and environmental stewardship benefits to the communities for generations to come" said Raymond Carriere, Founding President of Communities in Bloom. "The projects are a demonstration of civic pride, sense of community and feeling of accomplishment through community engagement."

Civic support for the tree-planting program has been strong since CN initiated it in 2012, with over 700 communities applying for funds.  This year's recipients bring the total to 170 communities across Canada and the United States that have benefited from funding through the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program. Details on the program are available at www.cnfromthegroundup.ca.

CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up 2016 successful applicants

Canada:

District of Hope, BC - 6^th Avenue Rail Crossing Beautification
District of Lillooet, BC - Lillooet Gateway Revitalization
Squamish-Lillooet Regional District, BC - Gates Lake Community Park Enhancement Project
City of Vancouver, BC - Restoration of Native Forests
City of Edmonton, AB - Nature to 91^st street
Town of Fahler, AB - Trees for Life
County of Vermilion River, AB - Community Trees
Kneehill County, AB - Three Hills Creek Recreational Area
Town of Kinistino, SK - Walkway through Town
Wakamow Valley Authority, SK - Community Food Farm / Orchard
Grandview & District Recreation Commission, MB - Wilson Park Renewal
Rivers Train Station Restoration Committee, MB – Loco Labyrinth & RV Park
Town of Ste.-Anne, MB - Tree Planting
Town of Atikokan, ON -- Root for Trees
Town of Fort Erie, ON - Emerald Ash Borer Replanting Project
City of Hamilton, ON - Woodlands Literacy Trail
Township of King, ON - Greening Metrus Community Park Development
City of Sarnia, ON - Gateway Project - Howard Watson Nature Trail
City of Sault Ste-Marie, ON - Etienne Brule Orchard Project
Ville de Contrecoeur, QC - Reboisement du développement des Faubourg
Ville de Longueuil, QC - Revitalisation du Parc Christ-Roi
Ville de Mont-Joli, QC - Vert une Jolie Ville
Ville de Pointe-Claire, QC - Protection et restauration du Parc Naturel Terra-Cota
Ville de Rimouski, QC - Parc Gilles-Vigneault et Dominique-Savio
Ville de Saint-Félicien – Landscaping of the « Gare du Meuble »
Municipalité de Sainte-Marie-Salomé, QC - Sentier le Rassembleur
Ville de Vaudreuil-Dorion, QC - Corridor de verdure Floralies
Village of Belledune, NB - Veterans Memorial Park
Ville d'Edmundston, NB - Création d'un parc d'entrainement en plein air
Town of Sackville, NB - Sackville Urban Forest Revitalization Project
Village of Salisbury, NB - Highland Park Revitalization

Click here to view a description of each project.

Click here to access a map of the projects.

About CN
CN transports more than 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 of approximately 20,000 route-miles 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 about 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, 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 2016 Symposium and Awards will be held in Regina, SK from October 27 to 29. For more information about the Communities in Bloom program, visit www.communitiesinbloom.ca. 

SOURCE CN