Cox Conserves Heroes Award nominations open through Aug. 15

Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land are accepting nominations through Saturday, Aug. 15 for the Cox Conserves Heroes program, which honors environmental volunteers who create, preserve or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities.

This year, the program will group nominees into four regions: West, South, Midwest and Northeast.

Whether coordinating cleanups to reduce the impact to the environment or restoring seal life, the program seeks volunteers making a positive impact on our planet and ecosystem.

To submit a nomination and view past winners, visit coxconservesheroes.com.

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 become finalists for the National Cox Conserves Hero honor that will be voted on by the public Oct. 1–15. The national Cox Conserves Hero will be announced Oct. 22 and will receive an additional $50,000 to donate to his or her 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;

· 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.

The 2018 national honoree was San Diegan Phil Pryde, a volunteer with the San Diego River Park Foundation. Past Cox Conserves Heroes honorees from San Diego also include Mel Lions with Wild Willow Farm in South San Diego and Michael McCoy for his work with the Tijuana Estuary Reserve.

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.