$10,000 prize money

'Cox Conserves' Seeks Environmental Star In Your Neighborhood

Cox Communications is once again inviting the public to nominate San Diegans who inspire neighborhood conservation efforts through its popular Cox Conserves Heroes program. The awards program, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land and sponsored by Think Blue San Diego, is seeking the public’s help to nominate and vote for those individuals who have taken it upon themselves to create, preserve or enhance places for everyone to enjoy such as parks, greenways, gardens, waterways, plazas, streets and public squares.

Anyone can nominate a Cox Conserves Hero in two categories: “Under 18” and “18 and Over.” A total of six finalists will be selected (three from each category), and the public will vote online for the winners. Last year, three adult and three youth finalists were honored for their work in planting and restoring a mid-city canyon and watershed; recycling efforts at an East County high school; the removal of trash and non-native plants from an urban canyon; clean up and restoration of a South Bay park; creation of a North County community garden; and protection of a North County watershed.

First-, second- and third-place winners in each category will receive $10,000, $5,000 and $2,500 respectively to donate to a local environmental non-profit organization of their choice.

The $35,000 in award money will be provided by the James M. Cox Foundation and The Cox Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications. The Cox Kids Foundation is funded by Cox employees, who donate money directly from their paychecks and is then matched 100 percent by the company.

The public can visit 4sd.com to nominate.