Finalists Named for Virginia’s Cox Conserves Heroes Program

The Trust for Public Land and Cox Communications today announced the finalists for Virginia’s 5th annual Cox Conserves Heroes program. The public is asked to vote now through June 19 at CoxConservesHeroes.com.

A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists, who were selected to represent the Fairfax County/Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads and Roanoke areas and compete for the overall recognition of Virginia’s Cox Conserves Hero.

As a finalist, each individual has secured a $5,000 donation for his or her environmental nonprofit of choice. The finalists are now competing for an additional $5,000 – bringing the total award to $10,000 for the winner’s nonprofit of choice. The winner will be chosen through an online public vote.

Virginia’s 2015 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists

Fairfax County/Fredericksburg: Jason Gallant has volunteered at Downtown Greens for more than two decades. His work has helped reduce pollutant runoff into the Rappahannock River, reduce storm water runoff by 67 percent and create a rain garden. Gallant’s work is preserving an urban oasis for the community and future generations. His environmental nonprofit of choice is Downtown Greens.

Hampton Roads: Nancy Degges has volunteered more than 2,000 hours with the Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission by managing events and the organization’s budget. She has been a driving force behind the City of Virginia Beach’s Clean the Bay Day by organizing volunteers, recruiting local sponsors and leading the event’s picnic lunch and entertainment. Her environmental nonprofit of choice is the VB Clean Community Volunteers, Inc.

Roanoke: Heidi Ketler has volunteered more than 2,000 hours with the Blue Ridge Parkway by clearing trails, cleaning overlooks and building community connections. She has engaged more than 200 volunteers and helped remove more than 2,500 pounds of trash and 1,800 pounds of recyclables from the Parkway. Her environmental nonprofit of choice is the Roanoke Valley Chapter of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Virginia’s Cox Conserves Hero will be announced on June 25.

Brian Batteiger, Bill Gordge, Anne Little, Chris Clifford are previous recipients of Virginia’s Cox Conserves Heroes award.

As either a finalist or winner’s nonprofit of choice, the following Virginia organizations have received financial support from the Cox Conserves Heroes program: Blue Ridge Land Conservancy, Friends of Green Spring Gardens, Friends of Norfolk’s Environment, Herndon Environmental Network, Lynnhaven River Now, Newport News Green Foundation, Park Partners, Pathfinders for Greenways, South Norfolk Neighborhood Watch, Tree Fredericksburg, Virginia Beach Clean Community Commission, Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Foundation and Virginia Living Museum.

Cox Conserves Heroes also takes place in Arizona, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Massachusetts. Nearly $500,000 has been donated to local nonprofits and more than 140 volunteers have been honored through the Cox Conserves Heroes program.