The International Wildlife Rehabilitation Council (IWRC) will hold its annual Education Symposium at the Virginia Beach Resort Hotel and Conference Center, 2800 Shore Drive, from Tuesday, Nov. 10 through Saturday, Nov. 14. The conference draws more than 250 wildlife veterinarians, rehabilitators, conservationists, and other professionals from around the world. They are committed to restoring the health, ensuring the welfare and safeguarding the future of wildlife.

Virginia’s “Virginia Green” designation for resorts and conference centers was a strong deciding factor in making Virginia Beach the IWRC’s destination of choice over additional proposals submitted by other North American locations and wildlife rehabilitation organizations.

The IWRC has worked since 1972 to support wildlife and provide resources for wildlife rehabilitators on an international level. In 1972, a consortium of wildlife rehabilitators in California's Bay area began to develop a professional organization for North American rehabilitators to network and access information.  By 1974, the consortium realized its goals and had attracted international members, increasing alliances with agencies, conservation groups, and others working in wildlife care and protection.  The organization expanded to meet the needs of a global community and has held seminars outside of the Americas, most recently in Aegina, Greece, and Ankara, Turkey.  

Wildlife Response, Inc., (WRI), will host the IWRC’s annual International Education Symposium in Virginia Beach. WRI also hosted the IWRC’s annual Education Symposium in Virginia Beach in 1995.  Wildlife Response, Inc. (WRI) is southeastern Virginia’s oldest wildlife rehabilitation organization dedicated solely to the rehabilitation of native wildlife. Formed in 1992, WRI has helped thousands of southeastern Virginia wild birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians. WRI is also committed to educating the public about their wild neighbors.

For more information on the conference, go to www.iwrc-online.org or call WRI President Lisa Barlow at (757) 235-3189 or buteosvr@aol.com.        

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