Cox and The Trust for Public Land Announce John Walther as Louisiana's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero

BATON ROUGE, La., Nov. 8, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land last night named John Walther as Louisiana's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero during an opening reception at the Center for Planning Excellence's (CPEX) Louisiana Smart Growth Summit. Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA Louisiana), Walther's nonprofit beneficiary, will receive $10,000. Walther was among the three finalists who were nominated by the public then chosen by local judging panels to compete in an online vote for the title of Louisiana's Cox Conserves Hero.

Walther is a long-time volunteer of Coastal Conservation Association of Louisiana (CCA Louisiana) and has been the guiding force behind 20 unique artificial reef deployments across Louisiana's coast. He pioneered the use of recycled concrete materials in artificial reef projects in Louisiana and has also been the driving force behind the annual Derelict Crab Trap Removal Program. One of his most significant accomplishments is the installation of 20 reefs ? with an additional two coming down the pipeline. He has the vision and determination to enhance the fishing experience in Louisiana.

The two runners-up will each receive $5,000 for their nonprofits of choice. Kristy Hitchcock selected Urban Conservancy as her nonprofit of choice; Scott Howard chose NOLA Parks for All.

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 also takes place in Arizona, California, Georgia, Florida, 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 12 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