Channel 2 WSB-TV, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land, launched Atlanta's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes to honor local environmental volunteers.

Nominations for volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing outdoor spaces are being accepted at wsbtv.com/coxconservesheroes through 5 p.m. on August 21.

Eligibility Criteria

• Nominee's activity creates, protects and/or beautifies an outdoor community space; 

• Nominee's activity is done on a volunteer basis and is not part of his or her paid employment;

• Nominee's activity inspires others to engage in community conservation.

A judging panel, comprised of local civic and environmental leaders, will select three finalists. The winner, chosen through an online public vote, will be named Atlanta's 2017 Cox Conserves Hero and receive $10,000 to donate to his or her environmental nonprofit of choice. The two finalists will each receive $5,000 for their nonprofits of choice.

Nonprofit of Choice Criteria

• The organization must be a public 501(c)(3).

• The organization's efforts must focus on environmental improvement.

Atlanta's Cox Conserves Heroes Timeline:

• Public Nominations:  July 10 – August 21

• Public Voting:  October

• Winner Announcement: November 14

Previous recipients of Atlanta's Cox Conserves Heroes award are Linda Cotten-Taylor, Tom Branch, Bob Scott, John Gordon, Donna Shearer, Na'Taki Osborne-Jelks, Angel Poventud and Don Wells.