The City of Brandon Celebrates Grant Funding ‘From the Ground Up’

May 1, 2015

Brandon, MB – Today, the City of Brandon joined with Canadian National Railway and Communities in Bloom in marking National Railway Safety Week and celebrating its receipt of a ‘green’ funding grant from CN Rail with an educational event and ceremonial tree planting.

The City of Brandon is a 2015 recipient of a $25,000 grant through Canadian National Railway’s EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up grant program. This morning, Brandon Deputy Mayor Jeff Harwood was joined by grant partners CN Rail and Communities in Bloom, along with Grade 5 & 6 students from J.R. Reid and Linden Lanes schools, in planting approximately 100 caliper trees at the recently-established ball diamonds on Van Horne Avenue East.

“On behalf of Brandon Mayor and Council, I am extremely pleased to see our From the Ground Up grant funding in action at one of Brandon’s fledgling outdoor recreational spaces,” said Harwood. “In addition to beautifying the area, the shade, shelter from the elements, and noise reduction that these trees will provide will be a benefit for generations of Brandon residents to come.”

Earlier in the day, students in attendance also received a presentation from CN Railway Police personnel on railway safety, after which each class was given a tree to plant at their school, courtesy of CN Railway. Students were also treated to interactive and educational eco-learning crafts and games, led by staff with the Brandon Community Garden Network.

The City of Brandon would like to thank its partners, CN Railway and Communities in Bloom, for their generosity and attendance at today’s event.