Nominations are now open through July 31 for the Cox Conserves Heroes program offered by Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land.

The program honors environmental volunteers who create, preserve or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities, and $10,000 will be awarded to a finalist from the Wood River Valley.

The public can nominate volunteers by completing a brief online form at https://www.coxconservesheroes.com/nominate-a-volunteer/idaho

A panel of local civic and environmental leaders will determine local finalists, who will be announced in October. Local winners will receive $10,000 and move to the national competition. The public can vote for the national title and corresponding $50,000 prize beginning Oct. 1. The winner of the national competition will be announced in late October. 

Nominees must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Their activity creates, protects and/or beautifies an outdoor community space.  

• Their activity is on a volunteer basis and is not part of paid employment.

• Their activity inspires others to engage in community conservation.

Over the past 11 years, the Cox Conserves Heroes program has contributed nearly $1 million to environmental nonprofits and honored more than 200 volunteers across the country.

In the Wood River Valley, the Cox Conserves Heroes program is supported by Cox Communications, which provides telecommunications and entertainment services to residences and businesses in Sun Valley, Ketchum, Hailey and Bellevue. 

Cox Enterprises is dedicated to building a better future through its leading communications, automotive services and media companies. Founded in 1898 by Ohio Governor James M. Cox, the company is a family-owned business committed to its people, communities and the planet. To learn more, visit www.coxenterprises.com or follow the company on Twitter via @CoxEnterprises and @AlexTaylor_Cox.

The Trust for Public Land creates parks and protects land for people, ensuring healthy, livable communities for generations to come. Millions of people live near 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.