SMGA is Finalist for National Conservation Award

Sherwood with Lacey Ellis, Land Conservation Coordinator with the Great Springs Project.

The San Marcos Greenbelt Alliance is one of four national finalists for the 2020 Cox Conserves Heroes award, sponsored by Cox Enterprises and the Trust for Public Lands.

The $50,000 award will go to the finalist who wins the most online votes between Oct. 1-15 at https://www.coxconservesheroes.com/vote.

Founded in 1998, the mission of the SMGA is to create and conserve an interconnected system of parks and natural areas around San Marcos for future generations.

“The SMGA has helped acquire and build trails on over 3,500 acres of natural areas around San Marcos,” said Sherwood Bishop, SMGA president. SMGA is also working with other organizations to create connected green belts from San Marcos to Austin.

As one of four finalists, SMGA has received a $10,000 award representing the southern quarter of the US.

Brief videos of the finalists are posted at Cox Conserves Heroes. People anywhere in the world can cast a vote—one vote per email.

Bishop urges individuals and organizations to share the information and encourage voting for SMGA.

Written by Melissa Millecam, former Director of Communications, City of San Marcos