CN to help fund 30 Canadian communities' environmental projects

CN on Friday announced it chose 30 Canadian communities as the grant recipients for its 2014 "From the Ground Up" program. Each will receive grants up to $25,000.

The CN EcoConnexions - From the Ground Up program aims to "promote the greening of municipal properties across Canada," especially areas in close proximity to rail lines," CN officials said in a press release. This year's recipients bring the total number of communities helped by the program — now in its third edition — to 85.
 
Successful candidates are chosen based on a rigorous criteria developed and overseen by program partners Tree Canada and Communities in Bloom, CN officials said. The two organizations rate each application and present a ranked list of programs to CN, which selects the final candidates from among the top-ranked communities. Communities in Bloom and Tree Canada then provide guidance in the achievement of the chosen projects.

"CN is pleased to contribute to the projects that will provide environmental, health and social benefits to the communities," said President and Chief Executive Officer Claude Mongeau. "The projects we're seeing are outstanding for their scope and creativity."