CSX and ACTrees Commemorate Star-Spangled 200

BALTIMORE, Sept. 20, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CSX and the Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) today completed the final tree plantings of the 1812 Trees Initiative, a multi-year campaign to plant 1,812 trees in Baltimore. The initiative celebrates the Star-Spangled 200, the bicentennial celebration of America's national anthem, which was written in Baltimore during the War of 1812.

This event follows CSX's recent sponsorship of the Star-Spangled Spectacular, a 10-day celebration of the bicentennial in Baltimore, as part of the company's commitment to support the communities in which it operates.

During today's service event, volunteers from CSX and ACTrees' local member, the Parks & People Foundation, planted 30 trees in Carroll Park in the Pigtown neighborhood of Baltimore. Their efforts mark the completion of the initiative, which began with a planting event in the fall of 2012.

"CSX is deeply committed to improving the environment and making every community we reach on our network a cleaner and greener place to live," said Tori Kaplan, assistant vice president-corporate social responsibility at CSX. "Given our strong ties to the city of Baltimore – dating back to our origins with the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and continuing today as one of our division headquarters – we are pleased to support the addition of so many trees to Baltimore's green spaces."

Since 2009, CSX and ACTrees have partnered to provide and promote urban and community tree planting, care, conservation and education. Together, CSX employees and ACTrees members have planted more than 22,600 trees across the country.

"We appreciate CSX's longstanding commitment to environmental conservation, and we're honored to partner with CSX and our member the Parks & People Foundation on this initiative," said Executive Director Carrie Gallagher, executive director of ACTrees. "CSX employees understand that trees do more than simply beautify the community. Trees also bring important economic and environmental benefits that help communities thrive."

To learn more about opportunities to get involved, interested volunteers can find their local ACTrees member organization at www.ACTrees.org.

About CSX

CSX, based in Jacksonville, Florida, is a premier transportation company. It provides rail, intermodal and rail-to-truck transload services and solutions to customers across a broad array of markets, including energy, industrial, construction, agricultural, and consumer products. For more than 185 years, CSX has played a critical role in the nation's economic expansion and industrial development. Its network connects every major metropolitan area in the eastern United States, where nearly two-thirds of the nation's population resides. It also links more than 240 short-line railroads and more than 70 ocean, river and lake ports with major population centers and small farming towns alike. More information about CSX Corporation and its subsidiaries is available at www.csx.com. Like us on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/OfficialCSX) and follow us on Twitter (http://twitter.com/CSX).

About ACTrees

Alliance for Community Trees (ACTrees) is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the health and livability of cities by planting and caring for trees. Alliance for Community Trees engages volunteers to take action to improve the environment where over 90% of people live: in cities, towns, and metropolitan areas. Together Alliance for Community Trees member organizations have planted and cared for more than 15 million trees with help from over 5 million volunteers. Learn more about our mission at www.ACTrees.org and follow us on Facebook and Twitter @alliance4trees.

About the Parks & People Foundation

Since 1984, the Parks & People Foundation has worked to improve the quality of life in Baltimore's neighborhoods. The staff, volunteers and partners in the community have developed innovative solutions to issues facing Baltimore including the restoration of neighborhoods and their natural resources as well as the academic enrichment and motivation of children. The Parks & People Foundation is dedicated to supporting a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities; creating and sustaining beautiful and lively parks; and promoting a healthy natural environment for Baltimore. Learn more about the Parks & People Foundation at www.parksandpeople.org.

SOURCE CSX