Co-Lin receives Canadian Railroad grant
November 19, 2019
Co-Lin has received a $20,000 grant for tree planting and beautification throughout campus. The projects include developing a community fruit orchard and campus landscaping. The Mississippi Urban Forest Council wrote the grant and will help with all aspects of project implementation. Co-Lin students, employees and community members will participate in the project.
“We are so excited to participate in this initiative for both campus beautification and the educational opportunities it will provide,” said Dr. Jane Hulon, Co-Lin President.
The Town of Wesson also received a beautification grant for $12,500 from CN Railway and America in Bloom which funded the planting of many trees and flowers throughout the small town. With a large number of volunteers and the Wesson Garden Clubs help and support, landscaping was added to the Old Wesson School and the courtyard fountain area on Main Street along with other areas. Work will continue with more trees being planted throughout the town and around the park.
“Wesson is looking alive again,” said Curtis Howington, a longtime resident of Wesson. “It is great to see people come together to make our home beautiful.”
A joint press event with representatives from the CN, America in Bloom and the MS Urban Forest Council was held on the Wesson Campus at the Ewing Administration Building in Rea Auditorium on November 13.
“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 Copiah-Lincoln Community College 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.
CUTLINE: On hand to celebrate Co-Lin and the town of Wesson receiving beautification grants was from left, Co-Lin Associate Vice President of Instructional Services Jackie Martin; Co-Lin WIOA Recruiter Tuwanna Williams; Reed Harrington of Canadian National Railroad; Wesson City Clerk Angela Hester; Co-Lin President Dr. Jane Hulon; America In Bloom representative Bill Hahn; Wesson Garden Club members Debbie Smith, Jennifer Peets, Debbie Hoaglin, Denise Jackson, and Jean Ricks. Photo by Scarlett Hart.