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Hayden Rosenberg

Southwest Wildlife & Desert Awareness

Volunteer Wins $50,000 For Conservation Center
Diane Vaszily wins award by being one-of-a-kind volunteer.

(SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.) – At Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center (SWCC)

volunteers play a very important role in their mission to save our wildlife, one life at a
time. However, sometimes some volunteers stand out over others.
Each year, Cox Enterprises, and the Trust for Public Land, select one winner for the Cox
Conserves Heroes Award. The program serves to honor environmental volunteers who
create, preserve, or enhance shared outdoor spaces in their local communities.
Diane Vaszily, a Southwest Wildlife & Desert Awareness Committee Volunteer, was
nominated earlier this year as the western region nominee, winning $10,000 just from the
nomination. Then, a $50,000 prize was put up to an online vote with all the nominees.
Through a grassroots voting campaign, Vaszily was able to take the title for this year’s
Cox Conserves Heroes Award receiving $60,000 ($10,000 for being nominated, $50,000
for winning) in total to help SWCC and its’ conservation efforts.
“We are truly honored that
Diane was chosen as the 2021
conservation hero by Cox
Enterprises and The Trust for
Public Land,” said Linda
Searles, Executive Director
of Southwest Wildlife
Conservation Center. “The
work Diane does to educate
the public on the importance
of wildlife in a healthy
ecosystem and how to coexist
with wildlife advances our
mission to save our wildlife,
Vaszily teaching young ones about conservation. one life at a time.”
The $60,000 in total will be
able to assist SWCC in many ways including contributing toward SWCC’s goal of
moving from their current 10-acre location up to a 100-acre one.
“Our ability to rescue, rehabilitate, and release mammals of the southwest and offer
sanctuary for those animals who are non-releasable will be greatly impacted by this
generous gift. These funds will also help us in the future as we work toward our goal of
moving from our current 10-acre location to our future home: up to 100 acres in the
McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Southwest Wildlife would like to thank Cox
Enterprises, The Trust for Public Land, and everyone who voted for Diane. Your
incredible support makes Southwest Wildlife possible, and your passion and care for the
environment will sustain our wild spaces for years to come,” said Searles.
Vaszily, who has been proactive community member and worked to support education
efforts at both the Desert Awareness Committee and Southwest Wildlife was honored to
receive the award.
“I am ecstatic and delighted to have been chosen as the 2021 conservation hero by The
Cox Enterprises and The Trust for Public Land. I am proud to contribute to the expansion
of the environmental and conservation efforts of Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center
where hundreds of other volunteers join to make things happen,” Vaszily said. “With this
gift, our land conservation program, education classes, and wildlife rehabilitation efforts
will be able to expand to ensure our continued mission! A huge thank you to all who
voted and to Cox for creating this miracle!”
Each year volunteers just like Vaszily. are nominated for the Cox Conserves Heroes
award with the goal to inspire and encourage individuals who are making a positive
impact on the planet by honoring them with financial support for their nonprofit of
choice. SWCC is both grateful and humbled thrilled to be that choice.

Southwest Wildlife Conservation Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and operates solely

from the public’s support and relies on donations and grants to keep the facility
open with trained volunteers and veterinarians caring for the animals 24/7. 

Established in 1994, SWCC rescues and rehabilitates wildlife that has been injured,
displaced, and orphaned. Once rehabilitated, they are returned to the wild. Sanctuary is
provided to animals that cannot be released back to the wild. SWCC also offers
educational programs and opportunities in the field of conservation medicine. Wildlife
education includes advice on living with wildlife and the importance of native wildlife to
healthy ecosystems. For more information or to donate go to
https://www.southwestwildlife.org/.

To make a donation or for more information on how you can sponsor an animal please
visit https://www.southwestwildlife.org/donate/ The nonprofit Scottsdale animal refuge
has listed preferred donations on a wish list on its website and an Amazon wish
list. That list includes enrichment toys for the animals, as well as other items SWCC
needs.

For media inquiries please contact Jennifer Parks Sturgeon at (480) 495-3806 or by
email JParks-Sturgeon@RoseMoserAllynPR.com.