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2001 SESSION

010586888
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 580
Offered January 10, 2001
Prefiled January 8, 2001
Commending the citizens of Reston.
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Patrons-- Plum; Senators: Howell and Mims
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WHEREAS, the citizens of Reston have worked hard over the past two years to turn their community into a home for wildlife and a model of environmental stewardship; and

WHEREAS, in recognition of these efforts, the National Wildlife Federation officially designated Reston as a certified Community Wildlife Habitat, the first in Virginia and only the third in the country; and

WHEREAS, the program is an expansion of the federation's well-known Backyard Wildlife Habitat program, which has resulted in the certification of more than 28,000 back yards nationwide, including 1,351 in Virginia and 409 in Fairfax County; and

WHEREAS, the Community Wildlife Habitat program recognizes the community's efforts to provide the four essential elements for wildlife to thrive: food, water, shelter, and places to raise their young; and

WHEREAS, with the enthusiastic participation of many Reston residents, the effort--headed by the Reston Association--resulted in 150 certified habitats in residential back yards, cluster neighborhoods, apartment complexes, churches, schoolyards, and businesses; and

WHEREAS, Reston's successful effort was led by Claudia Thompson-Deahl, the environmental resource manager for the Reston Association, who assembled a team of Reston homeowners to organize the program; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Wildlife Federation, Reston has set an "excellent standard" for other communities across the country and has proved that "nature and suburbia can truly coexist"; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly commend the citizens of Reston on winning for their community the designation of Community Wildlife Habitat; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Reston Association as an expression of the General Assembly's congratulations on earning this rare and valuable distinction.