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CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program
Partnership to protect and restore Terra-Cotta Natural Park
The mayor of the City of Pointe-Claire, Morris Trudeau, is happy to announce new initiatives to protect and restore Terra-Cotta Natural Park thanks to a partnership with CN under the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program.
“Terra-Cotta Natural Park was created to conserve an urban wooded area with great ecological value and to make it accessible to the public for recreational activities that have low environmental impact,” said Mayor Trudeau at a press conference this afternoon at the entrance to the park. “This partnership with CN will enable us to carry out a number of initiatives that will bring about sustainable and environmentally friendly enhancements.”
The CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up program supports and encourages sustainable development through the greening of municipal properties across Canada in order to improve the natural environment and living environment of communities. Pointe-Claire stood out, along with 30 other communities across Canada, from among nearly 100 proposals. As a result of having been chosen, the City will receive a grant of $25,000.
“CN is committed to making a positive impact on the communities along our network, and we are proud to be part of a program that helps to make these communities better places to live, work and play,” said Claude Mongeau, president and chief executive officer of CN. “Since we started this program, more than 50,000 trees and shrubs have been planted in 120 communities across Canada, which not only add beauty, but is another way we positively contribute to a sustainable future one community at a time, as planting trees improve air quality and offset carbon emissions.”
In Pointe-Claire, the project consists in restoring four hectares of the urban forest by planting 2,400 plants by June 2017. Preservation and enhancement of the natural park also includes improvements to close to three kilometres of trails that will help protect wildlife, plants, and the natural habitat of a wide range of birds, reptiles and small mammals.
Other awareness-raising initiatives are planned, including nature days organized for children from Pointe-Claire elementary schools and daycare centres, clean-up and tree-planting activities, development of an interactive online map showing marked trails and a new educational and interactive sign focusing on nature in the park.
Today, some 200 children from École primaire Pointe-Claire each planted a tree as part of the first awareness-raising activity. They also joined in an educational and interactive guided walk through the forest and an interpretive activity on wildlife and plants, both organized as part of nature days.
“We’re delighted to count on the CN’s support through the EcoConnexions program,” says the mayor. “We’re working to improve the quality of our natural environments and promote sustainable development. This is a project that will improve quality of life, and as a community, we’ll all benefit.”
Mayor Morris Trudeau and Mr. Pierre-Yves Boivin, the CN’s Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations, at the entrance to Terra-Cotta Natural Park.
Mayor Morris Trudeau and Mr. Pierre-Yves Boivin, the CN’s Senior Manager, Stakeholder Relations, at the entrance to Terra-Cotta Natural Park.
Source: City of Pointe-Claire
Information: 514-630-1200, communications@pointe-claire.ca