KIRO 7 Announces Jan Holmes as Western Washington's 2010 Cox Conserves Hero

SEATTLE, Dec. 2, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- KIRO 7 and The Trust for Public Land (TPL) announced that Jan Holmes is Western Washington's 2010 Cox Conserves Hero. She was shortlisted for the award from a long list of local nominees, selected as a finalist by local environmental leaders and ultimately named as the Hero after receiving the most votes in an online public poll. Holmes has selected WSU Island County Beach Watchers to receive the $5,000 award.

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Holmes was nominated for her volunteer work with the area's marine environment. Her leadership has created extensive research and data collection on more than 30 beaches, and her thirst for knowledge is contagious. She frequently speaks with students and at public education events, both indoors and on the shore, to motivate others to get involved.

"It's not just the plants and animals that live here," said Holmes. "Everyone has a connection with the shoreline environment. Things we do at home, and on our city streets impact the beach, and it's important to keep educating people."

Each of the other four finalists received $1,250 to donate to their environmental nonprofits of choice:

• Forrest Clark (Forest Fire Lookout Association – Western Washington)
• Barbara Downward (King Conservation District)
• Robert Girvin (Green Tacoma Partnership)
• Bob Jackson (EarthCorps)

In addition, a $1,250 donation was given to the Greater Metro Parks Foundation in Charlotte Valbert's honor. Valbert was a previous Cox Conserves Hero finalist who passed away earlier this year.

This is the third year the Cox Conserves Heroes program has taken place in Western Washington. Gary Colley was named Western Washington's Cox Conserves Hero in 2009 and selected the North Olympic Land Trust to receive $5,000. Mike Town was named the inaugural Cox Conserves Hero in 2008 and The Washington Wilderness Coalition was his environmental nonprofit of choice.

The Cox Conserves Heroes program was created through a partnership between The Trust for Public Land and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of KIRO 7, to honor everyday conservationists. The program also runs in Atlanta, New Orleans, San Diego and San Francisco. For more information, visit www.CoxConservesHeroes.com or find us on Facebook.

About KIRO 7

Part of Cox Media Group, KIRO 7 is a CBS affiliate and is Western Washington's source for the latest in breaking news, weather and traffic.

Cox Media Group, Inc., a subsidiary of Atlanta-based Cox Enterprises, is an integrated broadcasting, publishing and digital media company that includes Valpak and the national advertising rep firms of Cox Reps. With revenues of $1.8 billion, the company operations include 15 broadcast television stations and one local cable channel, 86 radio stations, four metro newspapers and more than a dozen non-daily publications, and more than 100 digital services.  Additionally, Cox Media Group owns and operates Valpak, one of the leading direct marketing companies in North America.    

About The Trust for Public Land

The Trust for Public Land (TPL) is a national nonprofit land conservation organization that conserves land for people to enjoy as parks, gardens, and natural areas, ensuring livable communities for generations to come. Since 1972, TPL completed close to 4,000 land conservation projects in 47 states, protecting 2.8 million acres, including over 73,000 acres in Washington. TPL has helped states and communities craft and pass over 380 ballot measures, generating $36 billion in new conservation-related funding. Our work in Washington stretches from the shores of the Puget Sound to the working lands east of the Cascades, as we strive to save special places as diverse and beautiful as the state itself, conserving the best of Washington for everyone to enjoy.

SOURCE Cox Conserves