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Finalists Named for Orlando's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Program, Public Asked to VoteORLANDO, Fla., Nov. 7, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- WFTV Channel 9, and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Finalists for Orlando's Cox Conserves Heroes program were announced today, and the public is being asked to vote for the winner now through November 20. To vote, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com and select the Orlando area. A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists. Finalists have already secured a $5,000 donation for their environmental nonprofits of choice and are now competing for an additional $5,000 – bringing the total award to $10,000 for the winner's nonprofit of choice. Orlando's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists Jennifer Ferrell created the LESA garden at Lawton Elementary School in Oviedo several years ago. The robust garden includes a vegetable, herb and flower garden, along with a chicken coop, bat house and a pond, which is home to turtles, frogs, and other wildlife. Ferrell, along with several volunteers, conducts educational programs for the school, teaching students about the importance of caring for the earth. Her LESA garden recently qualified for the Bright Future's Volunteer Program, which now allows the garden and its learning program to be accessible to high school students as well. Her nonprofit of choice is LESA Garden. Audrey Swindal is known locally as "Mother Nature" to generations of campers, counselors and volunteers at the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs – Wekiva Youth Camp (FFGC). Swindal was dubbed "Mother Nature" because of her extensive knowledge of flora, as well as her vivid storytelling ability. She has served the camp for more than 40 years and played an instrumental role in the development of the environmental camp located in the Wekiva Springs State Park. Not only does she lead by example in environmental stewardship, but she also takes time share knowledge and legislative updates within the conservation community. Her nonprofit of choice is Wekiva Youth Camp. Chuck O'Neal and Shanta Barton-Stubbs are previous recipients of Orlando's Cox Conserves Heroes award. The national Cox Conserves Heroes 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, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington and is part of the company's national Cox Conserves sustainability program that is celebrating its 10th anniversary. For more information, visit CoxConservesHeroes.com or Facebook. Social Media: #CoxConservesHeroes and #CoxConservesHero About Cox Media Group Orlando: About Cox Media Group: About The Trust for Public Land: About Cox Conserves: View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/finalists-named-for-orlandos-2017-cox-conserves-heroes-program-public-asked-to-vote-300550123.html SOURCE Cox Enterprises |