Cox and The Trust For Public Land Announce Jordan benShea as California’s 2015 Cox Conserves Hero

SAN DIEGO, June 8, 2015 /3BL Media/ — Cox and The Trust for Public Land today announced Jordan benShea as California’s 2015 Cox Conserves Hero. Community Environmental Council, benShea’s nonprofit beneficiary, received $10,000. Representing Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbara, the three finalists were chosen by judging panels from Cox’s California service areas. The finalists then competed in an online public vote to be named California’s Cox Conserves Hero.

benShea has been instrumental in growing public awareness about the Center for Urban Agriculture at Fairview Gardens and is committed to the urban farm model. She also serves on the boards of the Community Environmental Council and Santa Barbara Beekeepers Association. She volunteers as a spokesperson for the organizations at community events to share her eco-experiences and encourage others to live a sustainable life.

The two runners-up each received $5,000 for their nonprofits of choice. James Pribram, representing Orange County, selected ECO-Warrior Foundation as his nonprofit of choice; San Diego finalist Derryl Williams chose Groundwork San Diego-Chollas Creek.

The program is sponsored locally by Bank of America and the University of San Diego and is supported by Orange County’s KX 93.5.

Cox Conserves Heroes recognizes volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces. benShea is the national program’s 41st winner. 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. 

Through the Cox Conserves Heroes program, more than $500,000 has been donated to environmental nonprofits and nearly 150 volunteers have been honored. Cox Conserves Heroes also takes place in Arizona, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts and Virginia.

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 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 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.

Media Contacts

• Cox Communications: Ceanne Guerra, 858-836-7306, ceanne.guerra@cox.com
• Cox Enterprises: Elizabeth Olmstead, 678-645-0762, elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com
• The Trust for Public Land: Kristen Anderson, 415-495-4014, kristen.anderson@tpl.org