CN
Ten Canadian communities have been awarded $50,000 grants, totaling $500,000, for tree planting and greening projects through the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program, CN reported Feb. 10. Sponsored by the Class I railroad in partnership with Tree Canada, the program invests in community greening projects along CN’s network in Canada.
The 2024 recipient communities are: Prince George, B.C.; Beaver County, A.B.; Melville, S.K.; Saskatoon, S.K.; Portage la Prairie, M.B.; Guelph, O.N.; Quebec, Q.C.; Longueuil, Q.C.; Halifax, N.S.; and Truro, N.S.
In addition to these grants, CN has funded 45 $10,000 grants through Tree Canada’s Community Tree Grants program, supporting municipalities across the country in their efforts to expand and maintain urban forests.
Tree Canada will work closely with grant recipients to help ensure the long-term success of their greening projects.
According to CN, From the Ground Up has funded 263 projects and contributed to planting approximately 149,190 trees and shrubs in urban and rural communities across its rail network since 2012. Together with mass reforestation projects, CN and Tree Canada, along with other partners, have planted more than 2.4 million trees through EcoConnexions initiatives; CN said the goal is to plant a total of 3 million trees by 2030.
“CN is proud to partner with Tree Canada to award these community grants,” CN Senior Vice President and Chief Stakeholder Relations Officer Janet Drysdale said. “The CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program is more than an environmental initiative; it is a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in communities across the country. By creating greener, healthier spaces, we are fostering community engagement, improving local environments, and promoting social well-being. With Tree Canada’s expertise and community involvement, we are planting the seeds for a sustainable and vibrant future for all.”
“Tree Canada is excited to continue its long-standing partnership with CN to increase tree canopy and the well-being of communities across Canada,” added Nicole Hurtubise, CEO of Tree Canada. “These generous grants will help recipients carry out projects that generate tangible environmental and social benefits, from reducing the urban heat island effect to restoring a local park, helping to grow more resilient ecosystems and healthier greener communities.”
As 2024 grant recipients begin planting this spring, communities can now apply for a 2025 From the Ground up grant. For more information, click here.
S&P Global on Feb. 11 released the 2025 Sustainability Yearbook. More than 7,690 companies from its 2024 Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA) were considered for inclusion. Of those companies, 780 were selected based on their CSA scores. CN, UP and Grupo México Transportes were among them. The three railroads were part of the Yearbook’s Transportation and Transportation Infrastructure category, which included 28 companies.
“CN is proud to have been included in this year’s #SPGSustainable1Yearbook,” the railroad reported via LinkedIn. “This recognition reflects our ongoing commitment to Delivering Responsibly.”
Commented Dave Ernsberger and Mark Eramo, Co-Presidents of S&P Global Commodity Insights: “The journey towards a net-zero future is filled with challenges. Climate change is an environmental issue and increasingly, an economic and social imperative. As we all strive towards this goal, we must recognize that the path is complex, multi-dimensional and requires collaboration among businesses, governments, and communities. The transition to a sustainable economy involves rethinking how we as a global community produce and consume, invest in innovative technologies, and foster resilient supply chains. In the face of these challenges, we are inspired by the dedication and resilience of the companies that have embraced sustainability as a core principle of their current operations and forward-looking strategies. Your commitment to transparency, accountability, and innovation is vital in driving change and success.”
BNSF
“When it comes to safety at our Havelock, Nebraska, wheel shop, the team there just keeps on rolling,” BNSF reported via LinkedIn on Feb. 12. “For the second consecutive calendar year, BNSF wheel plant employees worked injury-free.”
According to the Class I, more than 100 of its team members put in approximately 230,000 total hours in 2024—“all done safely without incurring a single injury.”
Earlier this month, BNSF reported via social media that its Helena, Mont., helper crews and road-switcher team reached a safety milestone: seven years injury-free. “These locomotive engineers and conductors on helper locomotives tackle steep mountain grades and extreme winter conditions,” the railroad noted. “They provide the extra power needed to get trains over the Continental Divide, all while keeping safety a top priority.”
