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Community Corner

Finalists Named for OC's Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to Vote

Cox Communications and The Trust for Public Land  announced Evan Brown, Frank Capalupo and George Sutherland as the 2014 finalists for Orange County's Cox Conserves Heroes program, which recognizes volunteers for creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces.

The public is being asked to vote through August 6 to determine the winner. 

To vote, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com and select the Orange County area. A total of $15,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists. As a finalist, each individual has secured a $2,500 donation for his or her environmental nonprofit of choice. The finalists are now competing for an additional $7,500 – bringing the total award to $10,000 for the winner's nonprofit of choice.

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Orange County's 2014 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists
Evan Brown has volunteered hundreds of hours at Earthroots Field School. By leading outdoor field trips and classes for individuals of all ages, he connects people with nature. He also leads by example to encourage individuals to embrace sustainable habits such as rain harvesting and organic gardening. His environmental nonprofit of choice is Earthroots Field School.

Frank Capalupo brings educational tours at the Ocean Conservancy to life for children, inspiring them to learn more about the ocean and how it impacts our lives. He also speaks at local clubs and organizations about the importance of environmental education and ocean awareness. His environmental nonprofit of choice is Ocean Institute.

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George Sutherland restores stream habitat and migration opportunities for Southern California's endangered steelhead fish. By improving water quality for the steelhead, he is enhancing the conditions for other native aquatic and wildlife species. Orange County citizens also benefit from the cool-pollution-free water. His environmental nonprofit of choice is the South Coast Chapter of Trout Unlimited.

Orange County's Cox Conserves Hero will be announced in mid-August. Alice Apkarian and Michael Beannan are previous recipients of Orange County's Cox Conserves Heroes award.

The Cox Conserves Heroes program was created through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of Cox Communications. The program is sponsored locally by KX 93.5.

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