Celebrating its 11th year, the Cox Conserves Heroes program has opened the nomination process through July 31 for this year’s Cox Conserves Heroes awards. Sponsored by Cox Enterprises, Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land, the program this year will honor environmental volunteers from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington.
Winners in each market will designate a local environmental nonprofit of their choice to receive a $10,000 grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. A national winner will be selected from the pool of state winners to receive a $50,000 grant, also from the James M. Cox Foundation, for a nonprofit they designate.
It’s worth the time and effort to nominate a volunteer who you know creates, protects and/or beautifies an outdoor community space. We asked Cox Communications’ Andrea Katsenes to answer some questions about the awards.
Who is eligible and how are the winners chosen?
Nominations, including self-nominations, of environmental volunteers are being accepted by completing a brief online form on coxconservesheroes.com now through July 31, 2019. A panel of local and environmental leaders will select the local winner of a $10,000 grant they will designate for an environmental nonprofit of their choice. The winners will then become candidates for the national title, with the national winner’s designated nonprofit receiving $50,000 from the James M. Cox Foundation.
What are the eligibility criteria?
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.
How can members of the public in each market nominate their local conservation hero?
The public can nominate their local conservation hero at coxconservesheroes.com through July 31.
When does public voting for the national winner begin?
National voting starts Oct. 1, and anyone can cast a ballot for their favorite finalist in the national competition. The winner of the national competition will be announced in late October.
