WHEREAS, the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center, a nonprofit organization in Danville, provides care to orphaned and injured wild animals and promotes the importance of protecting wildlife and conserving the Commonwealth's valuable natural resources; and

WHEREAS, established by Tanya Lovern, the region's only state licensed and permitted wildlife rehabilitator, the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center accepts all wild animals at no charge to the rescuer; and

WHEREAS, Tanya Lovern, who has more than 25 years of experience rehabilitating wild animals, worked out of her home for several years before opening the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center in 2012; and

WHEREAS, active in the Counties of Franklin, Halifax, Henry, Patrick, and Pittsylvania, the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center cares for hundreds of animals each year; and

WHEREAS, the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center also educates students and other members of the public on how to properly interact with wildlife; and

WHEREAS, the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center has fulfilled its mission with the leadership of its board of directors, the hard work of many volunteers, and donations and support from local game wardens, veterinarians, community members, and the Danville Area Humane Society; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, That the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center be commended for its compassionate work to rehabilitate wild animals and release them back into their natural habitat; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Tanya Lovern, head of the Southside Virginia Wildlife Center, as an expression of the House of Delegates' admiration for the center's contributions to the Southside Virginia community.