OREANDA-NEWS. May 26, 2016. 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 program were announced today, and the public is being asked to vote for the winner now through June 10. 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 California's Cox Conserves Hero title.

Finalists have already secured a \\$5,000 donation for their environmental nonprofits of choice, and 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 2016 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists

Orange County: Andrea Ramos' volunteerism is distinguished by partnership, innovation and integration. Under Ramos' leadership, students at Brea-Olinda High School created a campus recycling program, planted a school garden and performed habitat restoration at Randolph Creek. She partners with local organizations to expose students to environmental careers and adult mentors. Encouraging students to become environmental ambassadors is Ramos' enduring legacy. Her environmental nonprofit of choice is Inside The Outdoors.

San Diego: Margaret Godshalk is a retired teacher who is helping transform the blighted Westside area of National City into a healthy and safe neighborhood. She has volunteered with the Environmental Health Coalition for 25 years and led the community effort to transform Paradise Creek from a polluted health risk into a thriving ecosystem with a park, nature walk and amphitheater. Her work created a beautiful area for outdoor recreation and environmental education. Her environmental nonprofit of choice is Environmental Health Coalition.

Santa Barbara: Lee Heller advocates for outdoor recreation for individuals and their companion animals. Recognizing that Summerland Beach was being impacted by leaking and abandoned oil wells, she organized a coalition of concerned stakeholders to address the issue. Thanks to Heller's advocacy, the State Lands Commission is currently working toward future remediation opportunities. Her environmental nonprofit of choice is Environmental Defense Center.

In California, the Cox Conserves Heroes program has honored nearly 70 environmental volunteers and donated nearly \\$250,000 to their local nonprofits of choice. The program is sponsored in San Diego by Subaru.

The Cox Conserves Heroes program was created through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications. Cox Conserves Heroes also takes place in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington.

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 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 digital 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 10 times, including the last nine 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.  Millions of people live within a one-half mile walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year.  To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit http://www.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' 55,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices.