The Mississippi School of the Arts (MSA) has received a grant from Canadian National Railroad (CN) and America In Bloom for beautification throughout campus. The project includes developing campus landscaping by building flower beds around many of the historic buildings on campus. The Mississippi Urban Forest Council wrote the grant and will help with all aspects of project implementation. MSA students, employees and community groups and volunteers will participate in the project.
“We are appreciative and excited to participate in this campus beautification initiative to not only be enjoyed by our students, faculty and visitors but by the entire community,” said Suzanne Hirsch, MSA’s Executive Director.
“These types of activities are significant improvements to the community. The social impact of green space, trees and gardens can be particularly pronounced when public spaces are transformed into places of beauty that foster safe places for neighborhood interaction, economic and property value enhancement, and improves the lives of those that live in or visit the community,” said Donna Yowell, Executive Director of the MUFC.
Canadian National Railroad Company (CN) is a true backbone of the economy, transporting approximately $250 billion worth of goods annually for the wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network spanning Canada and mid-America. CN, along with its operating railway subsidiaries—serves the cities and ports of Vancouver, Montreal, New Orleans, Mobile and Jackson, MS with connections to all points in North America.
America in Bloom envisions communities across the country as welcoming and vibrant places to live, work and play –benefitting from colorful plants and trees; enjoying clean environments; celebrating heritage; and planting pride through volunteerism. America in Bloom promotes nationwide beautification through education and community involvement by encouraging the use of flowers, plants, trees and other environmental and lifestyle enhancements. America in Bloom is an independent non-profit 501©3 organization and contributions to AIB are tax deductible. www.americainbloom.org. For more details on the grant program, visit www.AmericaInBloom.org/CN .
The Mississippi Urban Forest Council is Mississippi’s own statewide nonprofit that works with communities and local groups to improve quality of life and support strong communities for economic success on a local level. MUFC was recently recognized by the MS Business Journal as one of Mississippi’s best nonprofits. We are thrilled to work so very closely with The Mississippi School of the Arts to provide this opportunity for more enhancement to our state. These projects will begin a series of Arboretums in the state and these cities will become part of the Mississippi Arboretum Trail.
Help Green Our Communities. Trees enhance property values, improve the look and feel of commercial areas, and even help reduce crime! The Mississippi Urban Forest Council and its’ volunteers, the Urban Forest Masters have planted over 379,000 trees and donated over 3 million flower bulbs in Mississippi since 2010. For more information on Mississippi programs visit www.msurbanforest.com.
