San Diego CA— Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces, and have announced that Jinger Wallace has been named California’s 2019 Cox Conserves Hero. Wallace will receive $10,000 to donate to her environmental nonprofit of choice, and is now a finalist in the national Cox Conserves Heroes program.
As a co-founder of the Laguna Bluebelt Coalition, Wallace brought together community groups and concerned citizens to gain endorsement for Laguna Beach’s citywide network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), a key part of the statewide network to protect and restore California’s unique sea life and regional fisheries. Her work helped create a unique contiguous greenbelt/bluebelt surrounding the city of Laguna Beach for the benefit of the environment, residents and more than eight million annual visitors.
The public can vote for the national Cox Conserves Hero now through October 15 by visiting CoxConservesHeroes.com and selecting the California area. The finalist with the most public votes will be named the national Cox Conserves Hero and will receive $50,000 for his or her environmental nonprofit of choice, courtesy of the James M. Cox Foundation.
In California, the Cox Conserves Heroes program has recognized more than 70 environmental volunteers and donated more than $250,000 to their local nonprofits of choice.
Last year, Phil Pryde, a volunteer with the San Diego River Park Foundation, was named the first-ever national Cox Conserves Hero. Pryde has been credited with helping to conserve thousands of acres of wildlife habitat and allow waterways to run free, and serve as an inspiration to others to become active in protecting open spaces. He designated the San Diego River Park Foundation as his nonprofit of choice to receive the $50,000 donation.
In partnership with The Trust for Public Land, the national Cox Conserves Heroes program has contributed nearly $1 million to environmental nonprofits and honored more than 200 volunteers. The Cox Conserves Heroes program also takes place in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington, and is part of the company’s national Cox Conserves sustainability program.
The winner of the 2019 National Cox Conserves Hero award will be announced in late October.
For more information, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com.
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