Cox and The Trust For Public Land Announce Lee Heller as California's 2016 Cox Conserves Hero

$20,000 going to local environmental nonprofits

SAN DIEGO, June 20, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox and The Trust for Public Land today named Lee Heller as California's 2016 Cox Conserves Hero. Environmental Defense Center, Heller's nonprofit beneficiary, will receive $10,000. Representing Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbara, the three finalists were chosen by local judging panels. The finalists then competed in an online public vote for the title of California's Cox Conserves Hero.

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.

The two runners-up each will each receive $5,000 for their nonprofits of choice. Andrea Ramos, representing Orange County, selected Inside The Outdoors as her nonprofit of choice; San Diego finalist Margaret Godshalk chose Environmental Health Coalition.

The Cox Conserves Heroes awards program was created through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications. The program honors volunteers who create, preserve or enhance shared outdoor spaces. In California, the Cox Conserves Heroes program has honored more than 70 environmental volunteers and donated more than $275,000 to their local nonprofits of choice. The program is sponsored in San Diego by Subaru.

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.

Social Media: #CoxConservesHeroes and #CoxConservesHero

SOURCE Cox Communications

For further information: Cox Communications: Ceanne Guerra, 858-836-7306, ceanne.guerra@cox.com; Cox Enterprises: Elizabeth Olmstead, 678-645-0762, elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com; The Trust for Public Land: Kristen Anderson, 415-495-4014, kristen.anderson@tpl.org