Representatives of government, labour, business, youth, science, and non-government organizations from 34 nations met in Bergen, Norway between May 8th and 16th and produced the “Joint Agenda for Action". This was subsequently revised by the Ministers to produce a Ministerial Declaration on sustainable development. This document dealt with national indicators of sustainable development, debt service burdens when they affect the ability to ensure environmental protection, industrial pollution prevention strategies, energy efficiency, and other matters. (From "Action for a Common Future“ # 6, 1990)

The initial part of the team review of the federal pesticide registration system in Canada has culminated with the publication "Proposal for a Revised Pesticide Registration System". Public comments are being solicited on the proposed revisions (P.E.I.'s meeting is scheduled for afternoon and evening of September 25th). This document proposes a much more public process with definite improvements in may parts of the system. If you are concerned about how pesticides are evaluated and the rules that govern approval and cancellation of pesticide registrations, you should obtain a copy of the proposal, read it carefully and decide how you feel about it. Whether you are in favour of this proposal, a stricter one, or a weaker one, you should take advantage of this opportunity. Please ensure you book a time to make your comments. Contact the Pesticide Registration Review Team at 613-990-d1437

The summer issue of Working for Wildlife (World Wildlife Fund Canada) reported that the Hon. Gaston Blackburn, Quebec's Minister of Recreation, Fish, and Game, announced that twenty sites totalling more than 36,000 square kilometers had been set aside for future parks. These areas are now protected frOm logging, mining, and hydro development.

The June 1990 Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) list indicates that 195 species are now in danger of extinction in Canada. Three new species were listed as endangered, five as threatened, and four as vulnerable. Since the listing process began, only the White Pelican has been delisted and only the Wood Bison has been downlisted.

UNDER THE SPREADING OAK TREE by Patrick Wootton

Some five or six years ago, the Natural History Society kindly presented Ann and myself with a well grown red oak tree on Arbor Day. It had grown rather slowly but strongly since then but recently it got its roots down and it has jumped in height and spread.

At a well attended Natural History Society Pot-luck Barbeque held at our home on Saturday, July let, it was a very hot, sunny afternoon. When Margaret Mallett arrived, she asked me for a shaded area for her car. We have few high trees, so I pointed to the red oak. Lo and behold, it threw sufficient shade to keep her car and its contents pleasantly cool. A joy to behold!

A HASP CHALLENGES A HUMMINGBIRD by Patrick Wootton

During the summer months our hummingbird feeder, just outside one of our sunroom windows, is much frequented by at least four regular "feeders" that hum in and away at great speed or, at another time, climb or drop vertically to avoid another hummingbird's displeasure or desire to take over the feeder. As there are four feeding places, its strange that they can't learn to feed all at the same time!

However, a change of events took place on August 15th. What a surprise for us to find the feeder under the sole control of a wasp who had hid inside the feeder's drinking hole and then, on the arrival of the hummingbird, chased out

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