The 2018 Cox Corporate Social Responsibility Report CEI_2018_CSR_Report | Page 29

COX CONSERVES HEROES:
Spotlighting Extraordinary
Community Action
In communities across the country there are quiet leaders working tirelessly to create, preserve and enhance
outdoor spaces. Cox Enterprises, in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, launched the Cox Conserves Heroes
program 10 years ago to spotlight these exceptional environmental volunteers.
Each July, in eight markets we serve across the country, the program calls for nominees from the public. A panel of
local civic and environmental leaders selects one finalist in each community, who then competes for the national
Cox Conserves Hero title. Each finalist is profiled online in a locally produced video that tells their unique story and
is awarded $10,000 by the James M. Cox Foundation to donate to the environmental nonprofit of their choice. The
national winner, who is selected by the public in an online vote, is awarded an additional $50,000 for their
chosen nonprofit. Since its inception, the initiative has generated $860,000 in James M. Cox Foundation donations
to environmental nonprofits nationwide.
2018 Cox Conserves National Hero:
Phil Pryde, California
Phil Pryde’s leadership of conservation groups in
the San Diego area spans nearly half a century. His
activism has resulted in protection of thousands of
acres of wildlife habitat, allowed waterways to run free
and created greater access to nature in the region.
Decades ago Phil’s pioneering leadership was
essential to preventing the channelization of the
San Diego River. Today he serves on the board of
directors for the San Diego River Park Foundation
and the Anza-Borrego Foundation.

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