Rebecca Claassen Named Santa Barbara's 2014 Cox Conserves Hero

$15,000 donated to environmental nonprofits in Santa Barbara

SANTA BARBARA, Calif., Aug. 26, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land  announced Rebecca Claassen as Santa Barbara's 2014 Cox Conserves Hero. As her nonprofit of choice, the Environmental Defense Center will receive $10,000.

Inspired by her two-year old daughter, Claassen used her healthcare background to educate local citizens on the impact of toxins in the local water supply. She's been the catalyst behind creating a group of informed and engaged volunteers who promote clean water.

Andrea Adams-Morden was the program's runner up and selected the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden to receive $5,000 on her behalf.

Susan Epstein and Martin Camp are previous recipients of Santa Barbara's Cox Conserves Heroes award.

The Cox Conserves Heroes program recognizes volunteers for creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces. The program was created through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications. Cox Conserves Heroes takes place in Arizona (Phoenix and Tucson); California (Orange County, San Diego and Santa Barbara); Georgia (Atlanta); Louisiana (Acadiana, Baton Rouge and New Orleans); Virginia (Fairfax County/Fredericksburg, Hampton Roads and Roanoke); and Washington (Seattle).

Since being launched in 2008, the Cox Conserves Heroes program has donated more than $400,000 to environmental nonprofits and recognized more than 130 volunteers.

Social Media: #CoxConservesHeroes and #CoxConservesHero

About Cox Communications
Serving California communities in San Diego, Orange County, Palos Verdes, and Santa Barbara, Cox Communications is a broadband communications and entertainment company, providing advanced digital video, Internet, and telephone services over its own nationwide IP network. Cox also offers home security and automation services to residential customers. The third-largest U.S. cable TV company, Cox serves approximately 6 million residences and businesses nationwide. 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 new media advertising.

Cox is known for its pioneering efforts in cable telephone and commercial services, industry-leading customer care and its outstanding workplaces. For seven years, Cox has been recognized as the top operator for women by Women in Cable Telecommunications; for seven years, Cox has ranked among DiversityInc's Top 50 Companies for Diversity. 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. Nearly ten million people live within a ten-minute walk of a Trust for Public Land park, garden, or natural area, and millions more visit these sites every year. Learn more at www.tpl.org.

About Cox Conserves
Launched in 2007 by Chairman James C. 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 Media Group and Cox Automotive) and encourages Cox Enterprises' 50,000 employees and their families to engage in eco-friendly practices. The company's sustainability goals are to send zero waste to landfill in the next 7-10 years and become carbon and water neutral in the next 25-30 years.

SOURCE Cox Communications

For further information: Cox Communications: Kirsten McLaughlin, (805) 681-3606, kirsten.mclaughlin@cox.com, Cox Enterprises: Elizabeth Olmstead, 678-645-0762, elizabeth.olmstead@coxinc.com, The Trust for Public Land: Kristen Anderson, 415-495-4014, kristen.anderson@tpl.org