Elachee volunteer named conservation award finalist

GAINESVILLE - Elachee Nature Science Center volunteer Lane Hurst has been named a finalist in the Cox Conserves Heroes Program.

The program is sponsored by WSB-TV, in partnership with The Trust for Public Land (TPL).

The Cox Conserves Heroes program was created by TPL and Cox Enterprises, the parent company of WSB-TV, to honor "everyday" conservationists. Since the program launched in 2008, nearly $150,000 has been donated to environmental nonprofits.

Cox Conserves Heroes also runs in Hampton Roads, Va.; Phoenix, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.

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.

Voting continues through November 7. To vote, visit http://www.wsbtv.com/coxconservesheroes/

Atlanta's 2011 Cox Conserves Hero will be announced November 18.

The finalists were selected by a judging circle comprised of environmental leaders, including:

* 2009 Cox Conserves Hero Don Wells
*2010 Cox Conserves Hero Angel Poventud
*New House LLC President Lewis Perkins
*Southface's Chief Operating Officer Michael Halicki
*Chattahoochee Hills' Director of Parks and Recreation Diane Harnell Cohen
*State of Georgia's Director of Land Resources Division Curt Soper

This is the third year for Atlanta's Cox Conserves Heroes program.