When Cox Biodiversity launched last year, it did so as part of Cox Enterprises’ and the James M. Cox Foundation’s commitment to conservation and the environment. It represented a purposeful investment in protecting critical species and their habitats.
Since then, the Foundation has actively pursued opportunities to make significant impacts on some of the world’s most beautiful places and iconic creatures. Two organizations recently received gifts from the Foundation to help them shape a better future for these vital ecosystems.
ATLANTIC SALMON FEDERATION
Founded in 1948 by conservation-minded anglers, the Atlantic Salmon Federation works to conserve, protect and restore wild Atlantic salmon and their habitats. The Foundation has committed $35 million to reconnect Maine’s Kennebec River to the sea by removing four priority dams, protecting 74 million acres of habitat and ensuring salmon have access to abundant prey.
This work will help fight back against three of the most significant threats to salmon today: habitat protection, marine mortality and salmon farming. Over the next 15-20 years, these projects are expected to increase the number of adult Atlantic salmon returning to North America by 300,000.
"We launched Cox Biodiversity to support the protection of endangered wildlife and the habitats they call home. The Foundation's gifts to the Atlantic Salmon Federation and The Nature Conservancy deliver on our commitment to safeguard these critical ecosystems."
Alex Taylor
Chairman and CEO, Cox Enterprises
"We support organizations like these because when these special places are gone, they are gone forever. We want to help repair and protect these areas so they can be experienced and appreciated by future generations."
Jim Kennedy
Chairman Emeritus, Cox Enterprises, and Chairman, James M. Cox Foundation
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY
As a global environmental nonprofit, The Nature Conservancy has partnered with other organizations on an initiative to protect Hacienda Puchegüín. This 328,000-acre property in Chile’s Northern Patagonia is known for its ancient forests, pristine lakes, glaciers and local communities.
With a $20 million gift from the Foundation, the goal is to safeguard a critical section of land located within a 4-million-acre biological corridor. This will help protect its biodiversity and preserve a globally significant area that absorbs large amounts of carbon from the air. The region is also known for granite walls that rise more than 3,000 feet, as well as its rivers, waterfalls, alerce trees, and many endangered and endemic species. Long term, this land will become a national park protected into perpetuity.
In addition to Cox Biodiversity, the James M. Cox Foundation has also helped support many other causes in 2025.
SANTA BARBARA PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION — SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA
With the Foundation’s support, the Santa Barbara Public Library will add a second “Library on the Go” van. This will expand early literacy initiatives, parent education workshops and educational activities for underserved communities.
CHASTAIN PARK CONSERVANCY — ATLANTA
A Foundation gift of $1 million will help open 40 acres of underutilized parkland, connect the park to the Atlanta Beltline, provide more green space and improve pedestrian safety. These enhancements will positively impact an estimated 3.2 million annual visitors.
CHILDREN’ S NEBRASKA — OMAHA
Scheduled to open in early 2026, a new Behavioral Health & Wellness Center at Children’s Nebraska will provide cutting-edge technology thanks to a $5.5 million donation from the Foundation. This gift will enhance accessibility, effectiveness and efficiency in treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes. EDEN VILLAGE OF TULSA — TULSA, OKLAHOMA Eden Village provides safe, supportive housing for individuals who have formerly experienced homelessness. With help from the Foundation, the organization is building a farm to provide fresh produce and offer residents opportunities to learn new skills and earn income.
EDEN VILLAGE OF TULSA — TULSA, OKLAHOMA
Eden Village provides safe, supportive housing for individuals who have formerly experienced homelessness. With help from the Foundation, the organization is building a farm to provide fresh produce and offer residents opportunities to learn new skills and earn income.