The Trust for Public Land and Cox Launch Louisiana’s 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes Awards Program

The Trust for Public Land and Cox Communications today launched Louisiana’s 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes program to honor local environmental volunteers. Nominations are being accepted at CoxConservesHeroes.com for volunteers in Cox’s service areas in Acadiana, Baton Rouge and New Orleans who are creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces.

A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the winner and finalists. Nominee activities must be performed on a volunteer basis and may not be part of an individual’s paid job.

A judging panel of civic and environmental leaders will select three finalists who will then compete to be named Louisiana’s 2015 Cox Conserves Hero. The winner will be chosen through an online public vote.

Louisiana’s Cox Conserves Heroes Timeline:

Nominations: June 1 – 30
Voting: August 24 – September 14
Winner Announcement: October 1

Matt Thomas, Bart Everson and Jenga Mwendo are Louisiana’s previous Cox Conserves Heroes. Thomas helps preserve Baton Rouge’s lake system to provide a safe, healthy and beautiful setting for local citizens and visitors to enjoy. Everson helped create a 3.1 mile trail that links the French Quarter, Tremé, Mid City and Lakeview areas of New Orleans to create a safe, non-motorized transportation route. Mwendo transformed an overgrown lot from a dumping ground into a beautiful centerpiece for the community.

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, Georgia, Florida, Massachusetts and Virginia. Nearly $500,000 has been donated to local nonprofits and more than 140 volunteers have been honored through the Cox Conserves Heroes program.