Second Edition of CN EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up program a nationwide success

Second Edition of CN EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up program a nationwide success


MONTREAL, May 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ - CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today
announced the successful candidates for its 2013 From the Ground Up program. Of the 115 applications received in the program's second year,
30 communities were selected to receive grants of up to $25,000 each.
The program's objective is to promote the greening of municipal
properties across Canada, especially areas in close proximity to rail
lines. CN, with its partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom, will
help Canadian municipalities establish tree planting and green space
enhancement initiatives in a sustainable, environmentally responsible
manner.



"CN is absolutely delighted with the outstanding response to our CN
EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up program," said Claude Mongeau, CN President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We are especially proud of the links being developed between
and amongst the various participants - CN, Communities in Bloom, Tree
Canada, dozens of communities across Canada, local groups and
organizations, environmental associations - all being brought together
to promote a common goal: environmentally sustainable greening projects
across the country."



CN and its partners are pleased with the response and the quality of the
applications. The vast majority of the projects submitted clearly
demonstrated the importance of tree planting and green spaces in the
development and wellbeing of communities.



The funds provided by CN will allow the communities to put into action
environmental initiatives and to engage local stakeholders in community
sustainable development plans.



Successful candidates were chosen on the basis of rigourous selection
criteria designed 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. CN
then selected final candidates from the top-ranked communities.



"CN thanks the highly qualified judges provided by Tree Canada and
Communities in Bloom, who have the difficult task of selecting from so
many deserving applications," said Mr. Mongeau. "We are confident that
the selected projects offer solid benefits to the communities
involved."



Tree planting and green spaces enhancement projects will begin in the
coming months in the selected communities. The work will be guided and
supported by Communities in Bloom and Tree Canada to ensure the
long-term viability of each project.



"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 Aboriginal 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 looking forward to working with the communities
in providing solutions to our environmental challenges," said Raymond
Carrière, Founding President of Communities in Bloom. "The CN
EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up projects will be excellent demonstrations of environmental stewardship
and sustainability."


CN EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up 2013 successful applicants

Click here to view a description of each project.

Click here to access a map of the projects.


Sea to Sky Clean Air Society (Squamish - Whistler), BC

Fraser Valley Regional District, BC

Town of Smithers, BC

Tit'q'et First Nation, BC

Town of Whitecourt, AB

Hamlet of Lac La Biche, AB

Westlock Blooms Foundation (Town of Westlock), AB

City of Lloydminster, AB

Town of Ituna, SK

Town of Hudson Bay, SK

Town of Rosetown, SK

Gilbert Plains Recreation Commission (Town of Gilbert Plains), MB

Town of The Pas, MB

Upper Assiniboine River Conservation District (RM of Ellice), MB

Northern Ontario Railroad Museum and Heritage Centre (Town of Capreol),
ON

Town of Parry Sound, ON

City of Thunder Bay, ON

City of Belleville, ON

Rainy River First Nation, ON

Johnsview Village (City of Markham), ON

YMCA of Quebec, Éco-quartier Sud-Ouest (City of Montreal), QC

City of Beloeil, QC

City of Varennes, QC

Municipality of McMasterville, QC

Atlantic Coastal Action Program (ACAP), (City of Saint John), NB

Kennebecasis Watershed Restoration Committee (Town of Sussex), NB

City of Campbellton, NB

Town of Truro, NS

Windsor Communities in Bloom (Town of Windsor), NS

Halifax Regional Municipality, NS


About CN

CN 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, from the
Atlantic and Pacific oceans to the Gulf of Mexico. CN - Canadian
National Railway Company, along with its operating railway subsidiaries
-- serves the ports of Vancouver, Prince Rupert, B.C., Montreal,
Halifax, New Orleans, and Mobile, Ala., and the metropolitan areas of
Toronto, 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 78
million trees have been planted, 500 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

SOURCE CN

CN

CONTACT: For CN
Jim Feeny
Director, Public & Government Affairs
(514) 399-4768
jim.feeny@cn.caFor Tree Canada
Richard Walker
Dir., Comm. & Event planning
(613) 567-5545, ext.224
rwalker@treecanada.ca
For Communities in Bloom
Vivian Shum
Marketing and Communications
(514) 694-8871
communication@cib-cef.com


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