Updaie on NHS activities

The Natural History Society meeting held on Oct. 7 was chaired by past—president Jane Symmes, who filled in for Rosemary Curley. The . Society renewed their membership in the Canadian Nature Federation and Dan McAskill gave an update on the latest CNF news. Diane Griffin told members about the property recently purchased on Courtin Island in Mal— peque Bay and shared the Island Nature Trust's views on recent purchase by developers by land in Greenwich. The INT had put a bid in on the pro— perty and still hope to get some part of the area for a public trust.

The land in question is valued both for its natural environment and as an archaelogical site. The Society donated $100 to the INT towards the purchase of Courtin Island.

,Society member Bruce Smith is now hard at work co—ordinating the development of a conservation strategy for P.E.I. The provincial govern— ment has donated two full-time people and groups are now at work dealing with issues such as landscape protection, soil degradations and water quality. February 1 has been set as the deadline for completion. We hope to have Bruce keep members informed of the progress, perhaps through a story for the newsletter.

John DeGrace, a professor at UPEI, was the guest speaker and gave members a great lesson in geology. Using both slides and samples, he really gave the subject life.

The November meeting was a lively one, with a lot of issues being discussed during the business part of the meeting. Many members have ex- pressed their dissatisfactionwith the present meeting room and a move to the Farm Centre was discussed. A final decision should be reached soon and we'll let you know where to go.

Dan McAskill gave a report from the CNF, bearing bad news from coast to coast. He told of several wilderness areas being threatened.

And here on PEI, the Lake of Shining Waters came up again. The con- sultants report on the proposed bridge is now available and people will get a chance to commenton it. The consultant's report downgrades the impact of the bridge, but a culture report has opposed it. A motion was passed to oppose in principle the building of a bridge over the lake.

Rosemary will coordinate the Christmas Bird Counts, and areas will be handed out at the DeCember meeting (or contact Rosemary at 651—2585 for more information). The first count will take place at the National Park on December 20;:thetsecond in the Hillsborough area on the 27th; and the Montague count is on January 3. .

While slipping in numerous plugs for his favourite tree, the red oak, Dan gave a talk on the eight trees nominated for the provincial tree.

CNF re-elects member as VP

Natural History Society members will be pleased to hear that Dan was re—elected as a vice president of the Canadian Nature Federation at the Federation's annual meeting in St. John's in July. He is also chair- man of the Environmental Advisory committee which deals with all the en- vironmental issues in which the CNF is involved across Canada.

The Federation is interested in strengthening its ties with its af- filiated groups in an effort to improve effectiveness for environmental protection. If you have any suggestions, please forward them to Dan. He is usually present at each NHS meeting to report on CNF activities.

-6_ C