Cox Virginia, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land (TPL), launched Virginia’s 2^nd Annual Cox Conserves Heroes program. Nominations are being accepted now through March 11 at CoxConservesHeroes.com for volunteers in the Hampton Roads area who are helping to create, preserve or enhance our shared outdoor spaces. A total of $15,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the finalists. One finalist will be selected from the Hampton Roads area to represent the region in the statewide competition for Virginia’s 2012 Cox Conserves Hero. A group of Hampton Roads leaders will comprise the judging panel to select the Hampton Roads area finalist from the submitted nominations and the winner will be chosen through an online public vote.

Eligible work must be done on a volunteer basis and may not be part of an individual’s job. By improving our shared environment, these unsung heroes help make Hampton Roads and the state a better place for everyone to live.

A group of Hampton Roads leaders will comprise the judging panel to select the Hampton Roads area finalist from the submitted nominations.

Virginia’s Cox Conserves Heroes Timeline:

• Nominations: February 13 - March 11
• Voting: Early April
• WInner Announcement: Mid May

Chris Clifford, of Gloucester, was named Virginia’s 2011 Cox Conserves Hero and selected Park Partners, Inc. to receive $5,000. He helped construct fifteen athletic fields at local schools and parks, as well as a park entrance road and a wildlife habitat pond. Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission; Lynnhaven River Now; Newport News Green Foundation; and Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation have also received donations through the Cox Conserves Heroes program.

For more information, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com or find us on Facebook.