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A LITTLE INTERVENTION

Certain of our Provincial Parks have had diminished attendance over the past several years and at least a part of the reason has been biting insects, either mosquitoes or blackflies or both. The Branch has not been using insecticides for "fogging" the area around campsites for several years and has been enduring the com- plaints. This was particularly the case in rainy periods.

This year, sparked by the apparent satisfaction in the Dunk River district with the use of a bacteriological product which targets only those species, a pilot project has been started in four parks. The choice was based upon complaints received. The ob~ ject of the program is to control infestations which seem to have passed the comfort level for park users rather than eradication. The parks are Brudenell and Northumberland in the eastern region and Green Park and Cabot Beach in the west. As you may know, there is no more beautiful or peaceful park in the system than Green Park and yet it has consistently had the lowest rate of usage in recent years. You may not know that there are several species of mosquito native to PEI and the area surrounding that park provides ideal habitat for more than a couple. Brudenell and Cabot Beach are also being treated for mosquitoes and Northum- berland is being treated for blackflies.

Three Parks staff took a course on application of the bac- teriological agent this spring and are now making the third of four applications necessary to combat the life cycle of the in- sects. Application over salt marsh areas has been done from the air and more accessible and contained areas have been broadcast by hand. Staff are also learning other methods to control the problems and have filled in several potholes in the parks which had accumulated standing water.

The project target is improved satisfaction for visitors. An evaluation will be c;nducted during the month of July in each of the four parks. Campers, day—users, nearby residents and staff will be asked a series of questions which hopefully will provide information for continuation or expansion of the program in 1992.

PARKS DAY this year is on Sunday, July 21. watch the papers for

activity schedules. There are also regularly scheduled ac- tivities at most parks throughout the summer. Call the park for confirmation of times. Telephone numbers are in the blue edged

pages in your telephone book under Tourism and Parks, Parks Branch.

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