4

EWS AND NOTES ‘

YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP. The Canadian Nature Fed— eration has recently announced plans for a Youth 'Leadership Camp to be held in the Ministick Hills south east of Edmonton, Alberta during the sum- mer of 1980. Dates are not yet finalized but the camp will take place for 3 weeks between mid July and mid August. CNF will pay all costs associated with air travel, accommodation and instruction. Activities at the camp will include development of naturalist skills such as plant and animal identification; nature photography and sketching; soil, water and air testing; record ‘1;

keeping; interpretation of environmental relation~

ships; and the development of an ethical envir-

onmental philosophy. Participants must be 17 or

18 years old, have leadership potential and a

demonstrated naturalist interest and ability. The NHS of P.E.I. has been asked 5

to select one participant from this province. If you are interested or know some— . one who might be, contact Winifred Cairns or M rgaret Mallett (see phone numbers and addresses inside front cover). Deadline is January 15, 1980.

DEEVTBER MEETING REEORT. The presentation of a $1500 cheque to the Island Nature Trust highlighted the December 4th meeting. The presentation was made by Eflnston Johnston on behalf of the NHS and was accepted by Ian MacQuarrie for the Nature Trust. In his remarks Dr. MacQuarrie outlined the activity of the International Biological Program (IBP) in the late 1960's which identified and recommended protection for 14 natural areas on the Island. The Natural Areas Advisory Com— mittee later recommended protection for an additional number of sites. In the last 13 years only the Townsend‘s woodlot site at Harmony‘hnction has received full protection. Several other areas are partially protected by virtue of already

being within park boundaries. However one—quarter to one—half of the sites have

been disturbed and several have been destroyed since they were originally identified as candidates for protection. Many others, especially sand dune systems are now threatened. Sand-mining at Black Pond has caused destabilization and the dunes there are on the move. A proposed 300 lot sub-division currently threatens the unique dunes and wetlands of the Greenwich-Cable Head area. Dr. MacQuarrie feels that if

something significant is not done soon most of t e designated natural areas won't ‘ be worth preserving in ten years time. The realization that ownership is the only ¥ Sure way to protect natural areas, led to the formation of the Island Nature

Trust earlier this year. The Trust is at present working towards acquisition of

the Deroche ?oint site. Hembership in the Island Ea‘u_e Trust is available by ‘ contacting Bruce Smith (re .: 36 Belvedere Ave., Ch‘town; bus.: c/o Dept. of

Tourism, Parks and Conservation, Box 2000, Ch'town). Membership fee is $5.00. .