Channel 2 WSB-TV and The Trust for Public Land are recognizing volunteers who are creating, preserving or enhancing shared outdoor spaces. Finalists for Atlanta's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes program were announced today, and the public is being asked to vote for the winner now through Oct. 30. To vote, visit wsbtv.com/coxconservesheroes. A total of $20,000 will be donated to local environmental nonprofits on behalf of the three finalists.

Atlanta's 2017 Cox Conserves Heroes Finalists

Dale Higdon retired from the Georgia Forestry Commission in 2008 and began devoting countless hours volunteering for environmental organizations. To name a couple, Higdon is a hands-on board member of the Georgia Urban Forest Council, an organization that seeks to help Georgia communities build strong community tree programs. He also volunteers for the Georgia Piedmont Land Trust, helping to preserve land and protect water quality, tree canopy and historic sites. Higdon also volunteers with the Georgia Chapter of the American Chestnut Foundation, as well as the Mill Creek Nature Preserve. His nonprofit of choice is Georgia Piedmont Land Trust.

Michelle Rice inspires the community to engage children in hands-on gardening and encourages people to have a love for the outdoors. For the past eight years, Rice has led the organic edible garden program at Atlanta Public School's Burgess-Peterson Academy, which is now recognized as one of the most successful school gardens in Georgia. Rice has volunteered 2,000 hours teaching more than 650 children how to grow and enjoy fresh foods and has helped teachers incorporate these concepts into standards-based math, science and reading lessons. Her nonprofit of choice is East Atlanta Community Association.

Stephen Causby led the grassroots transformation of an overgrown lot on English Ave. The lot is now boasting picnic areas, garden beds, a mural, a playground, newly sodded play fields and a brand-new community center. Causby led every phase of the development, managing cleanups, executing programming, grant writing and soliciting community support. Causby and his team have created a space for neighbors to gather, as well as a safe area for children to play. By engaging residents to participate in the park's improvement, he developed a team of neighborhood leaders who help with maintenance and programming. His nonprofit of choice is Park Pride.

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.

In partnership with The Trust for Public Land, 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, Florida, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Virginia and Washington and is part of the company's national Cox Conserves sustainability program that is celebrating its 10th anniversary.