LARGE ACORN CROP

For the first time in several years the acorn crop at the Royalty Oaks Natural Area was good. While it was not a bumper seed year (these are expected at 6 to 12 year intervals) there should be many new seedlings next summer.

SOCIETY HINS ENVIRONMENT AWARD

Pat Nootton, the current president of the Natural History Society, had the honour on behalf of the Society of receiving the 1989 P.E.I. Environmental Award for environmental conservation by a group. In addition, Sue Stephenson, the former president of the Society, received the individual achievement award. The Hon. Gilbert R. Clements presented the awards in October. The other recipients were: the Bird's Eye Nature Store (business category) and Glen MacEachern (educator category). Congratulations to all the winners for their contributions to a better environment on the Island.

PIPING PLOVER MEETING

The Atlantic Region Piping Plover Recovery Team held its second annual meeting in Sackville on November 8th. Dan McAskill attended the meeting on behalf of the Society and the Canadian Nature Federation. The most exciting news presented at the meeting was the incredible work being done by a new Magdalen Islands conservation group created to focus attention on the plight of ~ the Piping Plover. Lucie D'Amour presented their report on a host of awareness projects including brochures, signage, newspaper releases, radio spots, sand building displays, information booths, and other projects. They started with in kind contributions and accessed an $18,000 RENEW project.

The big event for the future with regard to the Piping Plover is the range wide survey planned for the first week in June of 1991. The Society will require a number of volunteers to cover our beaches so that this inventory can be carried out successfully. If you can help out with the planning or implementation of this survey or if you would like further information on the meeting contact Dan McAskill at 569-4351 (evenings).

ENVIRONMENTAL CALENDAR

Jan. 26: This marks the deadlines for nominations for P.E.I. Environment Awards. This is a prestigious award on the Island and if you know an individual, industry, educator, or group who is deserving you should forward a nomination to the Environmental Advisory Council, Box 2000, Charlottetown, P.E.I. CIA 7N8. Further information is available from the Conservation Strategy office at 368-5905.

Feb. 6: Natural History Society meeting at 7:30 p.m. at the Farm Centre. Rosemary Curley will speak on the Maritimes Bird Atlas project and update us on what has to be completed this summer.

Early Feb.: ECOPEI will hold its annual meeting in the Charlottetown area. Watch your local newspapers or listen to the radio PSAs for announcements.

Feb. 16 - 17: The Department of Environment is hosting a conference titled

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