NATU RAL H ISTO.RY”’UT5’DATE“

The final meeting of the season was held May 7.

The C.N.F. report included the disturbing news that the status of the PIPING PLOVER has been changed from threatened to ENDANGERED - a sign that despite efforts to protect the nesting sites from outside disturbances, the species is not holding its own.

The Island Nature Trust had a good spring: a successful fund-raising dinner was held in April; several sources provided funding for land purchases, including more acreage at DeRoche.

Unfortunately, the Trust was unable to find money to offer a second contract to Diane Griffin, Executive Director, so that she and her family have returned to Alberta. I'm sure the Trust will miss her fund—raising talents.

The evening concluded with the member's annual slide show, under the "Judgement" of John Sylvester. From the enjoyable selection, John selected the following winners: lst Marion Copleston

2nd Andy Dean 3rd Mary Beth Harris Congratulations to all and thanks to those who entered their slides.

Thanks also to Beth Robinson and the volunteers of the lunch committee - delicious goodies every month — '

Joyce MacLeod needs any reports of sightings of PIPING PLOVERS — nests, birds etc. - write to Joyce at 12 Greenfield Ave. Charlottetown or call 89u-h182

Colonial Nesting Birds Committee project needs volunteers to help survey the off-shore islands in eastern P.E.I. - particularly Glenfinnan, St. Peter's and Governor's Islands. Please call the committee at Beaconsfield -M.EETINGS- 892 _91-27 ' __ October: The topic of this month's meeting is Art and Nature. Running through the history of art is a steady stream of images taken from nature. These plants and animals usually had some religious or symbolic meaning and it 15 only in fairly recent times that artists began to depict nature for its own sake. In this illustrated slide talk, Reg Porter will explore man's relationship with plants and animals as it appears through centuries of artistic evolution. .

November: The speaker for November's meeting is Rosemary Curley who will discuss Prince Edward Island's involvement in the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas Preject.

' ' f his December: December's speaker is Andy Dean Wlth another 0 wonderful slide shows, this one called "An Average Sort of House on an Ordinary Lot". It is a 45 monute venture into the natural history throughout the seasons in his own

Charlottetown back yard. 4