Finalists Named for Virginia's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote

Program to donate $20,000 to environmental nonprofits in Virginia

CHESAPEAKE, Va., May 16, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Finalists for Virginia's Cox Conserves Heroes program were announced today, and the public is being asked to vote now through Tuesday, June 6. To vote, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com and select the Virginia area.

A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists, who were selected to represent the Fairfax County/Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads and Roanoke areas and compete for Virginia'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.

Virginia's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists
Fairfax County/Fredericksburg: Nancy Vehrs is an advocate for the use and protection of Virginia native plants.  Nancy currently serves as the president of the Virginia Native Plant Society and she is also a member of the steering teams for the Plant NOVA Natives campaign, the Plant Central Rapp Natives campaign and the Virginia Native Plants Marketing Partnership. Nancy often works behind the scenes to preserve Virginia's native vegetation for its social, ecological and economic benefits.

Hampton Roads: Diana Ramsey became a volunteer with False Cape State Park in 2011. Diana organizes weekly volunteer projects bi-annually, assists in the operation of the park visitor center, helps organize events with the public and organizes beach cleanups monthly and fundraisers. She is currently the Friends of False Cape President where she advocates for False Cape & Virginia State Parks and was recently been as the Treasurer for the Virginia Association of State Parks.

Roanoke: Barbara Norris Duerk has long been an ebullient visionary force in the Roanoke Valley, known for her tireless and outspoken pursuit of building a better community and equal opportunity for all residents. Barbara's efforts toward civic endeavors includes efforts such as, preparing and serving food for the homeless, advocating for cycling as a form of transportation and recreation, helping young girls gain confidence and leadership skills through outdoor activities and supporting the preservation of the Appalachian Trail Club and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Heidi Ketler, Brian Batteiger, Bill Gordge, Anne Little, Chris Clifford and Alan Ford are previous recipients of Virginia's Cox Conserves Heroes award.

As either a finalist or winner's nonprofit of choice, the following Virginia organizations have received financial support from the Cox Conserves Heroes program: Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, Downtown Greens Friends of Green Spring Gardens, Friends of Norfolk's Environment, Herndon Environmental Network, Lynnhaven River Now, Newport News Green Foundation, Park Partners, Pathfinders for Greenways, Roanoke Valley Chapter of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, South Norfolk Neighborhood Watch, Tree Fredericksburg,  Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission, Virginia Beach Parks, VB Clean Community Volunteers and Recreation Foundation and Virginia Living Museum, Potowmack Chapter.

Cox Conserves Heroes was created through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications, to honor local conservation volunteers.

In partnership with The Trust for Public Land, the national Cox Conserves Heroes program has donated nearly $800,000 to environmental nonprofits and nearly 200 volunteers have been honored. Cox Conserves Heroes also takes place in Arizona, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Washington and is part of the company's national Cox Conserves sustainability program that is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

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 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 broadband, voice and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For nine 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 11 times. 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 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' 60,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices.

SOURCE Cox Enterprises

For further information: Cox Communications: Emma Inman, 757-222-8432, emma.inman@cox.com; Cox Enterprises: Joanna Coker, 678-645-7318, joanna.coker@coxinc.com ; The Trust for Public Land: Kristen Anderson, 415-495-4014, kristen.anderson@tpl.org