Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications in Arizona, and The Trust for Public Land have issued a final call for nominations for the Cox Conserves Heroes Awards due by August 15. The program serves to honor local environmental volunteers who create, preserve or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their communities.
Celebrating its 12th year, the Cox Conserves Heroes program recognizes Arizonans working in their community to make our state a better place. In Arizona, numerous volunteers have been recognized by the Cox Conserves program and more than $115,000 granted to organizations in recognition of their environmental stewardship. Arizonans Melinda Gullick, McDowell Sonoran Conservancy; Brad Lancaster, Desert Harvesters; and Greg Clark, Wild at Heart; are just a few of the previous recipients of the Cox Conserves Heroes award.
Nominations, including self-nominations, of Arizona environmental volunteers are being accepted by completing a brief online form on coxconservesheroes.com now through August 15, 2020. Nominations are also being accepted from other Cox markets in the Northeast, Midwest and Southern regions of the country.
“Each year, it’s amazing to see how people across the U.S. are making a positive impact on the planet,” said John Wolfe, Senior Vice President and Region Manager Cox Southwest Region. “From Todd Hornback’s work with the White Tank Mountain’s Conservancy to Mike Birrer’s efforts with Serve Tucson cleaning up schools and neighborhoods, each volunteer’s contribution is vitally important to our communities.”
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:
• Their activity creates, protects and/or beautifies an outdoor community space.
• Their activity is on a volunteer basis and is not part of paid employment.
• Their activity inspires others to engage in community conservation.
Since 2008, Cox has honored more than 200 volunteers across the nation 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.
National public voting starts Oct. 1, and anyone can nominate at the local level or cast a ballot for their favorite finalist in the national competition. The winner of the national competition will be announced in late October.
