Deadline: 1-Nov-22
The America in Bloom (AIB) and the CN Railway have partnered to create the “EcoConnexions From the Ground Up” grants program.
With a true transcontinental network that extends to three North American coasts, CN passes through a wide range of urban and rural communities. They encourage communities along the CN corridor to take environmental action by improving their communities through healthy urban forests, natural landscaping, groundcover improvement, and flower displays.
Objectives
CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up supports collaborative community greening projects that enhance landscapes in communities neighboring CN rail lines to meet the following objectives:
- Enhance the quality of life in cities, villages, and townships.
- Promote public health benefits through the proper planting and care of trees and plants.
- Ensure that community landscapes provide ecosystem services – clean air and water, increased property values, reduced erosion and stormwater runoff, wildlife habitat, moderated temperatures, lessened energy demands, and year-round enjoyment.
- Enhance community tree canopy by properly planting diverse, quality trees for long-term sustainability and resistance to future pests.
- Beautify community gateways and create significant landscapes demonstrating the contribution of flowers and plants to growing community pride and economic vitality.
- Leverage CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up grant support to catalyze strong and enduring community partnerships to undertake and sustain community greening efforts.
- Provide opportunities for CN and its neighbors to work together towards shared goals of environmental stewardship.
- Support long-term community greening through ongoing involvement in America in Bloom.
Funding Information
- CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up will provide funding , however it will not fund more than 50% of project costs.
- Preference will be given to projects that can demonstrate multiple funding sources. A minimum of 50% matching funding must come from other sources (such as municipalities, service clubs, donations, etc.) and can include in-kind contributions.
- Priority will be given to high-profile, significant landscapes that are accessible to the public and are in need of beautification.
- The following components are not eligible for funding under this program:
- Hard landscaping such as paving stones, fencing.
- Urban furniture.
- Play structures.
- Annual maintenance (although plans must show how annual maintenance will be performed).
Eligibility Criteria
Municipalities, townships, other local governments and locally active non-profit groups in communities neighboring CN rail lines in the US.
For more information, visit https://americainbloom.org/programs/cn-grant/