NATURAL HISTORY UPDATE *

DECEMBER MEETING: Dan MacAskill reported on the Canadian Nature Feder— ation's reaction to the federal government cuts in the wildlife ser- vice (see article in this newsletter) and encouraged members of the Natural History Society to write to the Federal Minister of Environ- ment to protest this and the cuts in interpretive programs in the National Parks. Rosie Curley and Joyce MacLeod spoke about their trip to Halifax for the Canadian Environment; Network meeting. The govern- ments cuts and the six new nuclear plants planned for N.B. were on the agenda. A report on acid rain was given by Evelyn Meader and members will be interested to note that acid rain reports are available by ,calling Bill Stafford. Jordan Hill provided information on the life of the honey bee as well as the overwintering projects now in progress. '

JANUARY MEETING: After reports from Dan MacAskill (CNF), Pat Doyle (Is. Nature Trust), Rosemary Curley (Can. Environment Network) and Winston Johnston (financial statement), the nominating committee (headed by Arlene MacGuigan) presented its recommendations. The fol- lowing people were nominated and duly voted in as the new executive:

President - Jane Symmes '

Vice-President - Pat Wooton

Sec. Treasurer — Margaret Mallett

assisted by - Joyce MacLeod Directors - Rosemary Curley — Evelyn Meader

Geoff Hogan presented the president's report which summarized a very busy year. Edith Robinson thanked Geoff for his hard work on behalf of the NHS over the past three years. New business included the intro- duction of the new president, who conducted the rest of the meeting. Evelyn Meader presented her monthly acid rain report in which she en- couraged members to write to NE Premier Richard Hatfield protesting the plan to construct six new nuclear plants in that province. The society also agreed to pay the exchange rate for sending in money collected from the 2 official Christmas bird counts (the US rate went up to $3 - members paid $3 Can.) The evening's speaker was Glen MacEarchern — an elementary school teacher. He presented a truly en— joyable slide collection that involved hours of patience to acquire the shots he took - fox cubs at play; a muskrat on its daily path; as well as beautifull ice-crystal shots.

FEBRUARY MEETING: Rosemary Curley will give a talk on the Saint John River Flood Plain.

MARCH MEETING: Tuesday, March 5 will feature Barb MacDonald, who will talk about the Galapos Islands.

APRIL MEETING: Our yearly visit from Dr. Lawson Drake of UPEI's Bio— logy Dept., a true rite of spring. Dr. Drake will talk on grasshoppers and their relatives.

MAY MEETING: The annual Memembers' Slide Show is always a popular event. Any entries should be ready to be handed in at April's meeting.

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