Cox and The Trust for Public Land Announce Barbara Duerk as Virginia's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero

$20,000 going to local environmental nonprofits

CHESAPEAKE, Va., July 5, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox and The Trust for Public Land today named Barbara Duerk as Virginia's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero. The Roanoke Valley Chapter of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Duerk's nonprofit beneficiary, will receive $10,000. The three finalists – who were chosen by local judging panels – competed in an online public vote for the title of Virginia's Cox Conserves Hero.

Duerk has long been a visionary force in the Roanoke Valley, known for her tireless pursuit of building a better community and equal opportunity for all residents. Her efforts toward civic endeavors include activities such as preparing and serving food for the homeless, advocating for cycling as a form of transportation and recreation, helping young girls gain confidence and leadership skills through outdoor activities and supporting the preservation of the Appalachian Trail Club and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The two runners-up will each receive $5,000 for their nonprofits of choice. Diana Ramsey represented Hampton Roads and selected Virginia Association for Parks as her nonprofit of choice; Fairfax County finalist Nancy Vehrs chose the Potowmack Chapter of Virginia Native Plant Society.

The Cox Conserves Heroes awards program was created through a partnership with The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications. The program has donated nearly $800,000 to environmental nonprofits, and nearly 200 volunteers have been honored.

Cox Conserves Heroes takes place in Arizona, California, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington and is part of the company's national Cox Conserves sustainability program that is celebrating its 10^th anniversary.

For more information, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com or Facebook.

Social Media: #CoxConservesHeroes and #CoxConservesHero

About Cox Communications:
Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, telephone and home security and automation services over its own nationwide IP network. The third-largest U.S. cable company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses. Cox Business is a facilities-based provider of voice, video and data solutions for commercial customers, and Cox Media is a full-service provider of national and local cable spot and digital media advertising. Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in broadband, voice and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For nine years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity 11 times. More information about Cox Communications, a wholly owned subsidiary of Cox Enterprises, is available at www.cox.com and www.coxmedia.com.

About The Trust for Public Land:
The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come.  Millions of people live within a one-half mile walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year.  To support The Trust for Public Land and share why nature matters to you, visit www.tpl.org.

About Cox Conserves:
Launched in 2007 by Chairman Jim Kennedy, Cox Conserves is Cox Enterprises' national sustainability program. Cox Conserves focuses on reducing waste and energy consumption, as well as conserving water. The program engages each of the company's major subsidiaries (Cox Communications, Cox Automotive and Cox Media Group) and encourages Cox Enterprises' 60,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices.

SOURCE Cox Enterprises

For further information: Cox Communications: Emma Inman, 757-222-8432, emma.inman@cox.com; Cox Enterprises: Joanna Coker, 678-645-7318, joanna.coker@coxinc.com; The Trust for Public Land: Kristen Anderson, 415-495-4014, kristen.anderson@tpl.org