On July 16, 1993 the Honourable Monique Landry, Secretary of State and the Minister of State of Communications, announced a third new national park will be established under the Green Plan at Old Crow Flats in the northern Yukon. This outstanding wetland community was recognized by the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance. It will be known by its Gwitchen name of Vuntut and its entire area of 4,400 square kilometers will be established as a Special Management Area under cooperative management with the Gwitchen. (A Canada’s Green Plan Release)

Lisa Fleming, a Biology Major at U.P.E.I. was awarded an Orville Erickson Memorial Scholarship by the Canadian Wildlife Federation (Canadian Wildlife Federation Annual Report, 1992-93).

B.C. Premier Mike Harcourt announced that one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in the world, the Tatshenshini-Alsek River ecosystem in northwestern British Columbia, will be permanently preserved as a provincial park (adapted from Tatshenshini Saved in Canadian Nature Federation’s Nature Alert 3:3, Summer/93).

Oshawa’s Second Marsh has been saved and secured after 25 years of commitment by the Second Marsh Defense Association. The federal government has now turned the marsh over to the City of Oshawa which has made a commitment to preserve and enhance it for future generations. (adapted from the Toronto Field Naturalist No. 434)

CHRISTMAS GIFT IDEAS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

At this time of year, each of us is deluged by requests for assistance and financial support by many groups that we would like to support somehow with the limited resources in our possession. Doing this successfully is certainly a challenge and for many of these groups your success in meeting this challenge is a critical issue in their survival during this difficult financial period. Perhaps one of the ways to address part of this difficulty is giving a gift which supports one or more of the groups which struggle to implement programs which are in keeping with your desires for an improved environment or life style. Some of the following gift ideas might allow you to support their (your) cause while finding something unique or special for someone that has touched your life in a positive way.

NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY MEMBERSHIP - A membership in the Society is $ 12 annually (refer to page 2 for details) which brings a wealth of information to readers, particularly on bird sightings. ISLAND NATURE TRUST HONOURARY DEED - This unique present can be a permanent gift to commemorate your family or someone special by providing a donation towards the purchase of a specific natural area on P.E.I. They cost $100 and you receive a framable certificate for 1/4 acre of the Deroche Pond (Blooming Point) or Herring Island Natural Area for presentation to those concerned. Contact Jackie Waddell at 566-9150 or fax at 628—6331

PROJECT FEEDERWATCH — allows winter bird feeders to contribute sightings of the birds at their feeders to the monitoring of bird populations in North America while financially supporting the survey analysis. The cost is only $ 16 (send name, address, and cheque to Project FeederWatch, Long Point Bird Observatory. P.O. Box 160, Port Rowan, Ontario, NOE 1M0 or call 519—586-3531) and members receive a very informative newsletter on winter bird trends and feeding tips (refer to page 6 articles).

ISLAND NATURE TRUST T—SHIRT — The profits from this sale support the vital work of the Trust in natural areas conservation on Prince Edward Island. The T- shirts and sweat-shirts are

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