​BRAMPTON, ON (October 22, 2021) – Today, Mayor Patrick Brown, Councillors, and representatives from Tree Canada and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) announced a $25,000 grant from CN and Tree Canada to help restore the Batsman Park woodlot in Brampton.

The City has been working with the TRCA and students from the Eco Club at Louise Arbour Secondary School and students from Lougheed Middle School to restore the woodlot. The woodlot, located in Batsman Park at 389 Father Tobin Road, has been damaged from the Emerald Ash Borer, the 2013 ice storm, and invasive species. This funding will allow the City and its partners to develop a planting and monitoring plan and new features for the woodlot, as well as plant 1,000 native trees and shrubs.

Trees play an important role in mitigating and adapting to climate change, growing the urban forest and making spaces more beautiful, and supporting public health. It is a vital green infrastructure with environmental, economic, and societal benefits for our community. The trees planted in Batsman woodlot will count towards the City’s goal to plant One Million Trees by 2040.

This grant is part of the CN EcoConnexions – From the Ground Up initiative that invests more than a half a million dollars in community greening projects across Canada. CN has been greening communities through this initiative since 2012 with sustainable, environmentally responsible tree-planting projects. Through its various tree planting programs, including From the Ground Up, CN has planted more than two million trees across Canada.

About Tree Canada
Tree Canada is the only national non-profit organization dedicated to planting and nurturing trees in rural and urban environments. Through our programs, research and engagement efforts, we have helped restore tree cover in areas hit by natural disasters, guided communities in managing their urban forests, supported over 700 schoolyard greening projects and organized urban forest conferences. To date, with our community partners and sponsors, we have planted more than 83 million trees. For more information visit treecanada.ca.

About CN
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. As the only railroad connecting Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through a 19,500-mile rail network, CN, and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
 
Quotes
“We are excited to have secured a $25,000 grant from CN and Tree Canada to support our restoration of the Batsman Park woodlot. Brampton is a Green City, and together with our partners, we are dedicated to increasing Brampton’s tree canopy, protecting our urban forest, and keeping our city green and beautiful.”
- Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

“This grant will directly contribute to Brampton’s sustainability and climate goals. Trees are an important part of our community, helping clean our air, provide greater shade, expand our urban forest, and beautify our city.”
- Rowena Santos, Regional Councillor, Wards 1 & 5; Chair, Community Services, City of Brampton

“City staff are dedicated to bringing investments to Brampton, and we welcome this funding from CN and Tree Canada. Students in the Batsman Park area and our entire community will benefit greatly from this restoration. Together with our stakeholders, we are committed to building a greener future.”
- David Barrick, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Brampton

“Toronto and Region Conservation Authority is pleased to partner with the City of Brampton, Tree Canada and local schools to plant 1,000 native trees and shrubs to help restore Batsman woodlot. This fantastic initiative provides an opportunity for students to learn about the benefits of tree planting in urban spaces and encourages students to become aware of the role they play as stewards of the natural environment.”
- Jennifer Innis, Chair, TRCA Board of Directors

“Tree Canada, Canada’s only national tree-planting non-profit, is excited to continue our partnership with CN to bring CN EcoConnexions From the Ground Up to deserving communities across Canada. With this program, CN is creating a lasting legacy of sustainability for present and future generations, providing funding and much-needed awareness to the value of trees and green spaces to our health and well-being, as well as the environment.”
- Danielle St-Aubin, CEO, Tree Canada

“At CN, we want to make a positive impact on the communities along our network, and together with our employees, retirees, and partners we are committed to fostering safe and sustainable communities wherever we do business. Since the creation of this program in 2012, with the support of our partner, Tree Canada, we have helped plant over 2 million trees in municipalities and Indigenous communities from coast to coast. By doing so, we are contributing to a sustainable future, one community at a time.”
- Sean Finn, Executive Vice-President, Corporate Services and Chief Legal Officer, CN

“The staff and students at Louise Arbour Secondary School are thrilled to be a part of the restoration and stewardship of the Batsman Park woodlot. Having the opportunity to work with the City in planning and monitoring the success of the restored native trees will provide students with ongoing, real-world learning opportunities and introduce them to a range of career paths in the environmental field.”
- Linda Ryan, Acting Head of Science, Louise Arbour Secondary School

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As one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada, Brampton is home to more than 700,000 people and 75,000 businesses. People are at the heart of everything we do. We are energized by our diverse communities, we attract investment, and we are embarking on a journey to lead technological and environmental innovation. We partner for progress to build a healthy city that is safe, sustainable and successful. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Learn more at www.brampton.ca.

MEDIA CONTACTS
Christine Sharma
Senior Advisor, Media Relations, City of Brampton
647.242.4319 | christine.sharma@brampton.ca  

Carol Burnup
Director, Communications and Marketing, Tree Canada
613-567-5545 ext. 230 (office) | cburnup@treecanada.ca

Mathieu Gaudreault
Senior Advisor, Media Relations, CN
1-833-946-3342 | media@cn.ca