Cox Enterprises Partners with Ocean Conservancy for Cleanup in Dana Point, Calif.

Volunteer event part of Cox Conserves, the company's national sustainability program

DANA POINT, Calif., June 30, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of National Oceans Month, Cox Enterprises and Ocean Conservancy joined forces for a shore cleanup at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif. The cleanup took place on June 27 and removed nearly 650 pounds of trash. Doheny State Beach is one of California's most popular state beaches and attracts almost one million visitors per year.

"A healthy ocean is our number one priority," said Amelia Montjoy, vice president of resource development for Ocean Conservancy. "This partnership underscores what is possible when individuals are empowered to take matters into their own hands and protect the beaches and waterways they love."

More than 200 Cox Enterprises' employees from its AutoTrader.com, Cox Communications, Kelley Blue Book and Manheim properties in Southern Calif. volunteered for the cleanup.

"Through Cox Conserves, we are encouraging sustainable behavior in our operations, employees and communities," said Bob Jimenez, Cox Enterprises' senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs. "Our company operates on each of the nation's major shorelines, and we're proud to partner with Ocean Conservancy to protect these important areas."

Cox Enterprises' Chairman Jim Kennedy spoke at Fortune's Brainstorm Green conference last month, which was also held in Dana Point, and announced a national employee solar program. The national program was piloted in California and provides financial incentives for employees who choose to install solar panel systems on their homes.

In Southern Calif. alone, Cox Enterprises is saving more than one million gallons of water each year and preventing nearly 14,000 tons of carbon from entering the environment each year through its alternative energy projects. The company has energy conservation initiatives such HVAC controls and lighting upgrades throughout the area, as well as an energy storage system at Manheim Southern California in Fontana.

Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book is the current recipient of the Cox Conserves Chairman's Cup, an annual company recognition program, for developing a companywide recycling committee and encouraging an environmentally responsible lifestyle at work.

Cox Enterprises expanded its sustainability goals earlier this year and plans to send zero waste to landfill in the next 7-10 years and become carbon and water neutral in the next 25-30 years.  Cox Enterprises and its affiliated foundations have invested more than $100 million in sustainability and conservation through operations projects and grants to environmental nonprofits.  In addition to Ocean Conservancy, Cox Enterprises has national environmental partnerships with American Rivers and The Trust for Public Land.

Multimedia:

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About Cox Enterprises:
Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues of nearly $16 billion and approximately 50,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed Internet access, telephone, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Manheim (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); Cox Media Group (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers and advertising sales rep firms); and AutoTrader Group (automotive media and software solutions). The company's national consumer brands include AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, Savings.com and Valpak.

About Ocean Conservancy:
Ocean Conservancy educates and empowers citizens to take action on behalf of the ocean. From the Arctic to the Gulf of Mexico to the halls of Congress, Ocean Conservancy brings people together to find solutions for our water planet. Informed by science, our work guides policy and engages people in protecting the ocean and its wildlife for future generations.  www.oceanconservancy.org

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140630/123151
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140630/123150

SOURCE Cox Enterprises

For further information: Cox Enterprises, Elizabeth Olmstead, 678-645-0762, elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com; Ocean Conservancy, Julia Roberson, 202-351-0476, jroberson@oceanconservancy.org