Finalists Named for California's Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote for Winner

Finalists from Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbara competing for statewide title

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May 18, 2015, 12:00 ET

SAN DIEGO, May 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Finalists for California's Cox Conserves Heroes award program are being announced today, and the public is being asked to vote for the winner now through May 31. To vote, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com and select the California area.

A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists, who were selected to represent Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbara and compete for the overall recognition of California's Cox Conserves Hero.

As a finalist, each individual has secured a $5,000 donation for his or her environmental nonprofit of choice. The finalists are now competing for an additional $5,000 – bringing the total award to $10,000 for the winner's nonprofit of choice. The winner will be chosen through an online public vote.

California's 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists

Orange County: James Pribram protects and preserves oceans, beaches and waterways. He is responsible for at least five Adopt-A-Beach cleanups in Laguna Beach per year and helped place recycling bins on the beach. His philosophy is to educate, activate and motivate individuals and groups to be part of the solution in their own respective communities. His environmental nonprofit of choice is ECO-Warrior Foundation.

San Diego: Derryl Williams has helped bring desperately-needed environmental improvements to his community in Southeastern San Diego by raising more than $1 million for creek and park restoration projects. He also rolls up his sleeves to build trails and clean neighborhood canyons, making them safe and beautiful for community use. He has recruited hundreds of area youth to help make a difference. His environmental nonprofit of choice is Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek.

Santa Barbara: Jordan benShea has been instrumental in growing public awareness about the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens and is committed to the urban farm model. She also serves on the boards of the Community Environmental Council and Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association. She volunteers as a spokesperson for the organizations at community events to share her eco-experiences and encourage others to live a sustainable life. Her environmental nonprofit of choice is Community Environmental Council.

California's Cox Conserves Hero will be announced in early June. The program is sponsored locally by Bank of America and the University of San Diego, as well as supported by Orange County's KX 93.5.

Cox Conserves Heroes also takes place in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Virginia. Nearly $500,000 has been donated to local nonprofits and more than 140 volunteers have been honored through the Cox Conserves Heroes program.

For more information, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com or Facebook.

Social Media: #CoxConservesHeroes and #CoxConservesHero

About Cox Communications:

Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and new media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For eight years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity nine times, including the last eight years. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About The Trust for Public Land:

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Nearly ten million people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. Learn more at tpl.org.

About Cox Conserves:

Launched in 2007 by Chairman Jim Kennedy, Cox Conserves is Cox Enterprises' national sustainability program. Cox Conserves focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption, as well as conserving water. The program engages each of the company's major subsidiaries (Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Media Group) and encourages Cox Enterprises' 50,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices.

The company's sustainability goals are to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become carbon and water neutral by 2044. The company also presents the Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey, a nationwide survey that examines sustainability opportunities and challenges for small and medium-sized businesses.

http://www.coxconserves.com/heroes

SOURCE Cox Communications