Matt Thomas Named Louisiana's 2014 Cox Conserves Hero

$15,000 going to environmental nonprofits

BATON ROUGE, La., Sept. 19, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land today announced that Matt Thomas was selected as Louisiana's 2014 Cox Conserves Hero. As his nonprofit of choice, The University Lakes Improvement and Preservation Association (TULIPA) will receive $10,000.

Thomas helps preserve Baton Rouge's lake system to provide a safe, healthy and beautiful setting for local citizens and visitors to enjoy. He organizes work days to remove invasive plants and debris that cause water quality problems. The area is frequently used by fans attending sporting events, so Thomas installed trash bins to prevent littering.

As finalists, Earl Antwine and Benjamin Goliwas each received $2,500 to donate to their nonprofits of choice. They selected Parkway Partners and The Lake Pontchartrain Basin Foundation, respectively.

"Cox is proud to celebrate and recognize incredible conservation activists in Louisiana," said Jacqui Vines, senior vice president and region manager of Cox Southeast Region. "Congratulations to Matt Thomas for inspiring us with his dedication to the LSU Lakes and to our two finalists. Each has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the people, land and waterways of our state."

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, to honor local conservation volunteers. Cox Conserves Heroes takes place in Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson); California (Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbara); Georgia (Atlanta); Louisiana (Acadiana, Baton Rouge and New Orleans); Virginia (Fairfax County/Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads and Roanoke) and Washington (Seattle).

Through the Cox Conserves Heroes program, nearly $475,000 has been donated to environmental nonprofits and more than 130 volunteers have been recognized.

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 and telephone 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 nine times, including the last eight 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 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 Media Group and Cox Automotive) 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 in the next 7-10 years and become carbon and water neutral in the next 25-30 years.

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SOURCE Cox Communications

For further information: Sharon Bethea, Cox Communications, 225-237-5141, sharon.bethea@cox.com; Elizabeth Olmstead, Cox Enterprises, 678-645-0762, elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com; Kristen Anderson, The Trust for Public Land, 415-800-5178, kristen.anderson@tpl.org