The foregoing article has been published in the Spring Issue of the P.E.l. Environeer (published by the P.E.|. Dept. of Environment) and a number of votes have come in already. The interest shown is gratifying with a wide segment of the population from across the Island voting. Newspaper ads planned for Environment Week should really bring in the votes - get yours in now.

YOUNG NATURALIST CLUBS IN THE SCHOOLS

Young naturalists? Where? At present, the education of the young with re- gard to natural history and the environment is chancy. School courses cover some aspects of these topics, and the Boy Scouts, Girl Guides and the Red Cross con- tribute their share. With due respect to our educational system, it is fair to say that limitations result from a lack of expertise of our teachers and a lack of direction from the Department of Education and the school boards.

Young Naturalist clubs are not seen as a major solution to the problem of the fragmentary education now received in this field. They would, however, stimu- late interest and provide an outlet for students who are already interested in natural history.

A committee of the Natural History Society has been set up for some time to investigate and plan for the establishment of a young naturalists chapter of our society in the schools. The idea has received wide support among the member- ship and from a number of teachers to whom the major task of getting such a club I'rolling” would fall.

Committee members Eileen Stewart, Liz Millen and Rosemary Curley are presently compiling lists of resource material including records, filmstrips, films, posters, suggested projects and literature for use by the clubs. If all goes well, a package of resource material should be ready by September for any teachers who are interested in establishing clubs in their school.

MARITIME NEST RECORDS SCHEME

Results from the 197A nest record card submissions were released in April. Twenty co-operators from P.E.|. submitted 225 cards with Natural History Society members, Kathy Martin, Geoff Hogan, and John Wright contributing a total of il8 cards. This brings the total of nest record cards submitted since l960 for P.E.l. to 1,877. This year five species, the Mourning Dove, Black-backed Three-teed Wood- pecker, Cliff Swallow, Ovenbird and Rose-breasted Grosbeak were new to the island file. The following is a summary of l975 contributions:

Co-operators No. of cards

Kathy Martin (Univ.P.E.l., several with others) . . . . . . . . . . Ah Geoff Hogan (Charlottetown) . . . . . . .'. . . . . . . . . . . . . ho Roger Burrows ( P.E.|. Nat. Park) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39 John A. Wright (Montague) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Rosemary Curley (Charlottetown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Nelson Hurry (Charlottetown); Margaret Mallett (Ch'town). . . . . . 9 each Mary Willms (Charlottetown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Earle Hickey (Charlottetown). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Randy Dibblee (Charlottetown) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rick Swain (Charlottetown); Bob Thompson (Ch'town). . . . . . . Jessie Cook (Murray River). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . James Bacskai (Head of Montague); Lenore Andrew (P.E.|. Nat. Park); Allan Godfrey (Charlottetown); Gerard Maclntyre (Charlottetown); Eugene Martin (Hunter River); H. Arthur Smith (Charlottetown); Andrew Forsythe (P.E.|. Nat. Park) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l each

each

Total cards received for P.E.l. - l975 225

The Maritime Nest Record Scheme is designed to collect information on

the breeding success, nesting biology and breeding distribution of native birds. If you come across a few nests each year, you can contribute by simply filling out a nest record card. Contact Margaret Mallett, 53 Fitzroy St., Charlottetown,for cards and information on how to record your data. For a more detailed report on the Maritime Nest Records Scheme, write to A.D. Smith, Co-ordinator, Maritime Nest Records Scheme, Canadian Wildlife Service, P.0. Box l590, Sackville, New Bruns- wick EOA 3C0 ‘