Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land Launch National Cox Conserves Heroes Awards

Nominations for stellar California environmental volunteers are open through Aug.1

CALIFORNIA (August 6, 2020) – Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land are accepting nominations for the Cox Conserves Heroes program through Aug. 15. This year, the program has expanded nationwide, with nominees grouped into four regions: West, South, Midwest and Northeast. The Cox Conserves Heroes program serves to honor environmental volunteers who create, preserve or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities.

“Each year, it’s amazing to see how people across the U.S. are making a positive impact on the planet,” said Maury Wolfe, assistant vice president of corporate responsibility and public affairs for Cox Enterprises, parent company of Cox Communications. “From coordinating cleanups to reduce our impact on the environment to restoring seal life and regional fisheries, each volunteer’s contribution is vitally important to our ecosystem.”
 
A panel of local and environmental leaders will select the winner in each region. The winners will then become candidates for the national title. Twelve nominees will be recognized: four finalists will be awarded $10,000 each to donate to their environmental nonprofit of choice; four regional runners-up will be awarded $7,500 each; and four regional second runners-up will be awarded $5,000 each.
 
The top four finalists will enter the National Cox Conserves Hero contest that’s voted on Oct. 1–15 by the public. The sole contest winner will be announced Oct. 22 and will receive an additional $50,000 to donate to their local environmental nonprofit of choice. All award donations are courtesy of the James M. Cox Foundation.
 
Nominees must meet the following eligibility criteria:
 

• creates, protects and/or beautifies an outdoor community space;  
• their activity is done on a volunteer basis and is not part of paid employment; and
• their work inspires others to engage in community conservation.

 
Since 2008, Cox has honored more than 200 volunteers across the nation, including volunteers from San Diego, Orange County and Santa Barbara, who made a significant impact on conservation and environmental protection in our communities. In partnership with The Trust for Public Land and through the Cox Conserves Heroes Program, the James M. Cox Foundation has contributed over $1.1 million to environmental nonprofits.
 
To submit a nomination and to view past winners, visit coxconservesheroes.com