Cox Enterprises Partners with Ocean Conservancy for Calif. Cleanup

In celebration of National Oceans Month, Cox Enterprises and Ocean Conservancy joined forces for a shore cleanup at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point, Calif. The cleanup took place on June 27 and removed nearly 650 pounds of trash. Doheny State Beach is one of California's most popular state beaches and attracts almost one million visitors per year.

“A healthy ocean is our number one priority,” said Amelia Montjoy, vice president of resource development for Ocean Conservancy. “This partnership underscores what is possible when individuals are empowered to take matters into their own hands and protect the beaches and waterways they love.”

More than 200 Cox Enterprises’ employees from its AutoTrader.com, Cox Communications, Kelley Blue Book and Manheim properties in Southern Calif. volunteered for the cleanup.

“Through Cox Conserves, we are encouraging sustainable behavior in our operations, employees and communities,” said Bob Jimenez, Cox Enterprises’ senior vice president of corporate communications and public affairs. “Our company operates on each of the nation’s major shorelines, and we’re proud to partner with Ocean Conservancy to protect these important areas.”

Cox Enterprises’ Chairman Jim Kennedy spoke at Fortune’s Brainstorm Green conference last month, which was also held in Dana Point, and announced a national employee solar program. The national program was piloted in California and provides financial incentives for employees who choose to install solar panel systems on their homes.

In Southern Calif. alone, Cox Enterprises is saving more than one million gallons of water each year and preventing nearly 14,000 tons of carbon from entering the environment each year through its alternative energy projects. The company has energy conservation initiatives such HVAC controls and lighting upgrades throughout the area, as well as an energy storage system at Manheim Southern California in Fontana.

Irvine-based Kelley Blue Book is the current recipient of the Cox Conserves Chairman's Cup, an annual company recognition program, for developing a companywide recycling committee and encouraging an environmentally responsible lifestyle at work.

Cox Enterprises expanded its sustainability goals earlier this year and plans to send zero waste to landfill in the next 7-10 years and become carbon and water neutral in the next 25-30 years.  Cox Enterprises and its affiliated foundations have invested more than $100 million in sustainability and conservation through operations projects and grants to environmental nonprofits.  In addition to Ocean Conservancy, Cox Enterprises has national environmental partnerships with American Rivers and The Trust for Public Land.