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Voting is open October 6-12, 2025

Cox Conserves Heroes is designed to inspire and encourage individuals and nonprofits who are reducing carbon/energy and water use, or who are eliminating waste. Between Oct. 6 and Oct. 12, anyone can visit CoxConservesHeroes.com to vote for their favorite finalists in each category.

The winner of each category will receive $30,000 from the James M. Cox Foundation for the nonprofit of their choice. Runner ups receive $15,000 and $5,000 for their environmental nonprofits, respectively. Plus, Jim Kennedy, chairman emeritus, Cox Enterprises, and chairman, James M. Cox Foundation, will bestow the Jim Kennedy Conservation Award to the winner in the nonprofit category! 

Adult Hero Finalists - Groundbreaker Award

These Groundbreakers are adults who are hard at work creating a healthier planet for the next generation.
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Eric Grace

Pennsylvania, Maryland

Eric Grace, founder of the Creek Cleanup Project, has spent the past eight years organizing volunteers to remove over 500,000 pounds of litter and 20,000 tires from ConocoCheague Creek along 93 miles in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Through this grassroots initiative, he is helping restore waterways and build environmental pride —one cleanup at a time. 

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Yuri Williams

California

Yuri Williams, founder of A Future Superhero and Friends, has led more than 25 cleanups across Los Angeles, removing more than 3,500 pounds of waste and recycling. He’s mobilized 200 volunteers, combining environmental action, education and empowerment to create cleaner, more connected communities.

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Christy Thrift

North Carolina

Christy Thrift is a river protector in North Carolina focused on restoring the Toe and Cane Rivers. After Hurricane Helene, she rallied her neighbors and volunteers to repair thousands of feet of streambanks, remove toxic debris and safeguard habitats for rare species. By using science-based methods and the power of her community, Christy helps improve water quality, reduce erosion and capture carbon — ensuring rivers stay healthy for both people and wildlife.

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Youth Hero Finalists - Planet Protector Award

These Planet Protectors are youth volunteers who spend their time selflessly making a positive impact on the planet.

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Isaac Nelson

Florida

Isaac Nelson is a middle school student from Florida who started Eco Scouts to encourage his classmates to protect local coastal environments. Through Eco Scouts, Isaac organizes activities like restoring coral reefs and mangroves, testing water quality and cleaning up local beaches. He also distributes oyster mats made without plastic and helps educate other students by creating films, podcasts and hands-on projects focused on caring for coastal ecosystems.

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Rylee Brooke Kamahele

Hawai’i

Rylee Brooke Kamahele, a teen from Hawaiʻi, founded The Catalyst Club to engage youth in conservation projects across the islands. She has brought youth from dozens of organizations together to remove hundreds of pounds of litter from beaches and to advocate for the protection of Hawaiʻi’s land, resources and ocean.

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Mahi Shah

Texas

Mahisha Shah is a high school student from Texas who combines her passion for computer science and sustainability. Inspired by her grandfather, she created AgroEtopia — an AI-powered app that predicts crop yields based on soil bacteria. Mahisha mentors other students, shares helpful resources online and encourages everyone to work together for a more sustainable future.

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Nonprofit Hero Finalists - The Jim Kennedy Conservation Award

The Jim Kennedy Conservation Award finalists are nonprofit organizations that use their collective forces to make our planet better.

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Northern Virginia Conservation Trust

Virginia

The Northern Virginia Conservation Trust works to protect land and water in urban, suburban and rural areas to support wildlife, recreation and healthy communities. The organization uses conservation easements and partnerships to save natural spaces, and it involves the community through education and volunteer opportunities. NVCT has conserved over 9,000 acres across five Northern Virginia counties and previously partnered with Ducks Unlimited to support its mission.

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Common Ground Relief

Louisiana

Common Ground Relief was founded after Hurricane Katrina as a grassroots group providing aid and rebuilding support in New Orleans. Today, it is an environmental nonprofit dedicated to coastal restoration, wetlands reforestation and building community resilience. CGR works closely with local communities and runs a volunteer-driven program that plants about 5,000 trees and 16,000 marsh grass plugs each year to stabilize shorelines and restore natural ecosystems. Volunteers from around the world support CGR’s mission to promote sustainability and environmental justice throughout Louisiana.

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Plastic Ocean Project

North Carolina

The Plastic Ocean Project, based in Wilmington, North Carolina, is a youth-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to finding science-based solutions to the global plastic pollution crisis. Through research, education and outreach, the organization empowers individuals to make informed choices that benefit both human and environmental health. Their hands-on initiatives include trash cleanups and a unique reforestation effort — planting one tree for every 25 pounds of trash collected. In 2019, they planted more than 1,500 trees, and in 2020, that number grew to 2,000+, reinforcing their commitment to sustainability and caring for the environment.

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