Atlanta – October 16, 2026 -- Cox Enterprises awarded $30,000 grants from the James M. Cox Foundation to each of its three 2026 Cox Conserves Heroes: David Schick, Nithya Tammana and Detroit Hives. Each winner directs the funds to an environmental nonprofit of their choice.
The winners were announced at a ceremony on Oct. 14. Since 2008, the program has recognized more than 200 individuals and nonprofits. Its criteria align with Cox's corporate goals to save energy and water, reduce waste, and protect and restore natural habitats and species.
Cox pledges 1 billion pounds of plastic diversion by 2034
The awards come as Cox widens its environmental agenda. In 2026, the company added habitat and species protection to its existing goals on water, waste and carbon. Cox has invested $3 billion in cleantech businesses and, with the James M. Cox Foundation, contributed more than $800 million to philanthropic causes.
By 2034, Cox aims to:
- Protect and restore land and ecosystems at a scale that reflects its footprint.
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 1 million metric tons and source 80% of electricity from renewable energy.
- Replenish and reduce hundreds of millions of gallons of water.
- Divert and return 1 billion pounds of post-use plastic to the circular economy.
Schick trains hundreds on open-source plastic recycling
David Schick won the Groundbreaker Award in the adult category. Through Precious Plastics Monterey Bay in California, he trains volunteers, students and nonprofits to turn plastic waste into durable products such as furniture. He has partnered with students from 20 Bay Area schools and five University of California campuses, as well as Stanford University, Loyola Marymount University and Pitzer College. He also works with businesses, hospitals and environmental organizations. The global Precious Plastics network he draws on includes more than 450 groups.
Nine-year-old founder's lead filter reaches 1 million people
Nithya Tammana won the Planet Protector Award and the youth category. She founded Save Drop in Monroe Township, New Jersey, at age 9. Her BioLayer water filter reduced lead to non-detectable levels in testing. It earned recognition in the 2026 Mott Million-Dollar Challenge and the 2026 3M Young Scientist Challenge.
Save Drop has reached more than 1 million people, launched more than 100 student clubs and partnered with 22 restaurants across 11 states. Tammana also wrote to all 50 governors urging action on water conservation and safety.
Detroit Hives manages 2.5 million bees on 38 reclaimed lots
Detroit Hives won the Jim Kennedy Conservation Award, named for Cox Chairman Emeritus Jim Kennedy, who started Cox Conserves in 2007. The nonprofit has revitalized more than 38 vacant lots and manages urban hives home to more than 2.5 million honeybees. It harvests more than 1,000 pounds of honey annually and educates thousands of children each year about beekeeping and pollinator health.
Runners-up receive $15,000 and $5,000 grants
Second- and third-place winners in each category received $15,000 and $5,000, respectively, for nonprofits of their choice.
- Adult: Benjamin Miller (Indianapolis, Indiana) placed second; Russell Pilegaard (Ruthton, Minnesota) placed third.
- Youth: Brandon Lin (Hillsborough, California) placed second; Sammie Vance (Fort Wayne, Indiana) placed third.
- Nonprofit: Keep Golden Isles Beautiful (Georgia) placed second; Ocean Defenders Alliance (California and Hawaii) placed third.
Amit Vyas, vice president of Environmental Sustainability at Cox Enterprises, said meaningful progress starts with action, the principle behind Cox's environmental strategy.