DIANE GRIFFIN ELECTED PRESIDENT OF CANADIAN NAIURE FEDERATION

by Kathy Martin

Diane Griffin, a native of Traveller's Rest, Prince Edward Island was elected president of the Canadian Nature Federation at its annual meeting which was held from May 28 to June 3, 1979. This meeting was held at MacDonald College in Ste. Anne de Bellevue, Quebec. The Canadian Nature Federation (GNP) has approximately 20,000 members and represents individuals and naturalists' groups across Canada. It produces the only national nature magazine, "Nature Canada", and has a strong voice in national and local environmental issues.

Diane has been a director of the Canadian Nature Federation since 1973. She has served on the executive for three years, and for one of those was a vice-president of the federation. As a director, Diane initiated CNP involvement in many issues and served on a number of committees, notably the youth and protected areas committees. Largely due to her efforts, the Canadian Nature Federation has taken an active interest in environmental affairs on Prince Edward Island. It supported stands taken by the Natural History Society of P. E. I. for the protection of Oulton's Island and DeRoche Point. In 1978 the ON? held its annual conference in Charlottetown, the first national nature meeting ever held on Prince Edward Island.

Diane graduated from Saint Dunstan's University in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree. In 1973 she received a Masters of Science Degree in botany from Acadia University. Diane did her research on plant ecology on Prince Edward Island sand dunes. In late summer 1973, she joined the Prince Edward Island Department of Tourism, Parks and Conservation as a provincial naturalist.

From 1973 to 1977, Diane became actively involved in almost every conser- vation and natural history group in the Province. She was instrumental in establishing a course on Island plants and wildlife which was offered in

a number of community schools. She also assisted in the production of

two books about Island nature, "Our Adventures at Warren Grove" and "Winds

of Sea and Wood". Many briefs concerning the Island environment were

written by her on behalf of the Environmental Advisory Council of P.E.I., 3.0; The National History Society of P.E.I. and the Canadian Nature Federation.

Diane was most actively involved with the Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island and served as its president for two years. Under her dynamic and energetic leadership, the society grew in membership and stature. She was responsible for arranging financing for the society newsletter and distributing it to schools in Unit 3.

Diane is married to Kevin Griffin of Emyvale, Prince Edward Island and they have one child, Sharleen. In September 1977, the Griffin's moved

to Edmonton, Alberta, where Diane is presently working as the Natural Areas Coordinator with the Alberta Energy and Natural Resources Department. She is responsible for setting up a system of ecological reserves to preserve representative habitat types in Alberta.

In her new capacity as President of the Canadian Nature Federation, Diane will undoubtedly keep the environmental concerns of Prince Edward Island firmly in mind.