The Cox (News - Alert) Conserves Heroes program, a partnership venture between TPL and Cox Enterprises, came out with the names of this year’s Cox Conserves Heroes at a special ceremony hosted by Hotel Solamar, an eco-friendly Kimpton hotel.

Denise Stillinger and teen Isabel Herrera have been named San Diego's 2011 Cox Conserves Heroes. Under the Cox Conserves Heroes program, Cox Communications, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land (TPL), honor everyday conservationists. Sponsored locally by Think Blue San Diego, Cox Conserves Heroes honors individuals who are creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor places for everyone to enjoy.

Since the launch of the program in 2008, more than $150,000 has been donated to local environmental nonprofits. Cox Conserves Heroes also runs in Atlanta, Hampton Roads, Va., San Francisco and Seattle.

In a press release, Cox announced that Cardiff resident Denise Stillinger and San Diego resident and recent graduate of Hoover High School, Isabel Herrera were nominated for the program in the adult and youth categories, respectively, selected as two of six finalists by local environmental leaders, and ultimately, named the Heroes after receiving the most votes in an online public poll.

The Cox Conserves Heroes and finalists were presented with a total of $35,000 to donate to their favorite environmental nonprofit organization.

All finalists were also recognized on the field at the Padres game and treated to an evening of baseball with their friends and family.

Denise Stillinger volunteers in wetlands conservation and education. According to the press release, she helped to create the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, to preserve the lagoon and its watershed. Stillinger's nonprofit of choice, the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy, will receive $10,000.

Isabel Herrera, 18, has spent the last three years inspiring people to protect the ocean and enlighten others about environmental issues. Herrera's nonprofit of choice, Ocean Discovery Institute, will receive $10,000.

The $35,000 award money was provided by the James M. Cox Foundation and the Cox Kids Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cox Communications in San Diego. The Cox Kids Foundation is funded by Cox employees, who donate a portion of their paychecks that is matched 100 percent by the company.

In a separate release the names of the finalists for the Bay Area's 2011 Cox Conserves Heroes program was announced by KTVU Channel 2, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land (TPL). According to the release, the winning Hero, to be chosen by an online public vote, will be awarded $5,000 to donate to the environmental nonprofit of his or her choice. The four finalists each will receive $1,250 to donate to their nonprofits of choice.

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