Malden resident in the running for $50,000 conservation award

Boston 25, in partnership with our parent company, Cox Enterprises and the Trust For Public Land has announced Karen Buck as the winner of Boston's Cox Conserves Hero Award. The award program recognizes environmental volunteers across the country working to improve outdoor spaces.

Karen has long advocated for the transformation of the neglected Malden River, a tributary to the well-known Mystic River. She's led cleanups, helped install a trash boom and collects data to stop trash from flowing into stormwater systems that would eventually end up in our oceans.  Karen is a community builder and citizen scientist who works tirelessly to revitalize the river banks, create access for boating and improve wildlife habitats along the Malden River. She volunteers as a water quality monitor for the Mystic River Watershed Association and leads The Friends of the Malden River. Karen's volunteer outreach has helped an entire community see the river's potential and unite to create more public access to the waterway.

As Boston 25’s local winner, Karen will receive $10,000 to donate to Mystic River Watershed Association.

Now she's competing against winners in other cities in a national vote. She's in the running for an additional $50,000 award to support her conservation efforts. Voting is open to the public now through October 15. Let's all help Karen win the big prize. Watch her full video and vote here.

Cox Media Group