Finalists Named for Louisiana's 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote

Program to donate $20,000 to local environmental nonprofits

BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 24, 2015  /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Patrick Armstrong, Gretchen Vanicor and Chip Vosburg have been selected as finalists for Louisiana's 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes program, and the public is being asked to vote now through September 14 at CoxConservesHeroes.com.

A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists. Each finalist has secured a $5,000 donation for his or her environmental nonprofit of choice. The finalists 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.

Louisiana's 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists

Patrick Armstrong is the co-leader of NOLA Trash Mob, a group of volunteers who clean up public lands. Patrick organizes bi-weekly trash cleanups through social media. Since 2013, the group has held over 70 cleanups and picked up nearly 10 tons of litter from New Orleans public outdoor spaces. Under Patrick's leadership, NOLA Trash Mob has grown to more than 1,100 volunteers through innovative partnerships with neighborhood associations, rotary clubs, universities and Friends of the Lafitte Corridor. His nonprofit of choice is Friends of the Lafitte Corridor.

Gretchen Vanicor is a committed volunteer and philanthropy co-chair of the705, a young professionals' service organization for Acadiana. Gretchen's love and knowledge of trees inspired her to apply for a grant to beautify three underserved Lafayette public parks. She selected 260 native trees and gave input on optimal placement to create much-needed shade for playgrounds, walking trails and gathering areas for generations to come. Her nonprofit of choice is the newest philanthropic initiative of the705 – ReCover Acadiana.

Chip Vosburg is a leader in wildlife conservation and innovative farming techniques. By sharing best practices on preventing soil erosion and improving water quality on his model farm, he is encouraging other farmers to adopt no-till, cover crops, advanced ditch design and buffers on their farmland. He also is an advocate for proper wildlife management and habitat protection. His nonprofit of choice is Quality Deer Management Association – Louisiana State Chapter.

As either a finalist or winner's nonprofit of choice, the following Louisiana organizations have received financial support from the Cox Conserves Heroes program: Friends of Lafitte Corridor; Jefferson Beautification, Inc.; Lafayette Square Conservancy; Louisiana Environmental Action Network; New Orleans Food and Farm Network; Operation Sudden Impact; Parkway Partners; The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation and The University Lakes Improvement and Preservation Association.

Cox Conserves Heroes also takes place in Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and Virginia. Through the overall Cox Conserves Heroes program, more than $525,000 has been donated to environmental nonprofits and more than 150 volunteers have been honored.

For more information, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com or Facebook.

Social Media: #CoxConservesHeroes and #CoxConservesHero

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 TV 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 new 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. Nearly ten million people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. Learn more at 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' 50,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices.

The company's sustainability goals are to send zero waste to landfill by 2024 and become carbon and water neutral by 2044. The company also presents the Cox Conserves Sustainability Survey, a nationwide survey that examines sustainability opportunities and challenges for small and medium-sized businesses.

SOURCE Cox Conserves

For further information: Jeremy Theriot, Cox Communications, 225-237-5167, jeremy.theriot@cox.com, or Jami Buck-Vance, Cox Enterprises, 678-645-0074, jami.buck-vance@coxinc.com, or Kristen Anderson, The Trust for Public Land, 415-800-5178, kristen.anderson@tpl.org