NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS » by Barb Currie June 1989 to December 1990

Canadian Nature Federation Conference Hosted - The Society cooperated with the Island Nature Trust and the CNF to host the CNF Conference at U.P.E.I., June 11th to 14th. The Society donated its share of the profit ($806) to the Trust for further land acquisitions.

Royal Commission on Land Use - A brief was submitted to the Commission expressing the concerns and recommendations of the Society.

Tanker Safety - A submission was made to the Public Review Panel on Tanker Safety and Marine Spills Response Capability.

Conservation Award Received - The Society received the Minister of Environment's Environmental Award for Associations in recognition of the activities of the Society.

Land Purchase - $100 was donated to the mock deed program of the Island Nature Trust to purchase 1/4 acre of land at Deroche Pond.

History Prepared - Margaret Mallett, a charter member, prepared a history of the Natural History Society in celebration of its 20th anniversary.

Beaches Cleaned - During Environment Week, the NHS cooperated with the Island Nature Trust and the P.E.I. Shellfisherman's Association on a Clean Up the Beaches Campaign. 260 students took part.

Green Plan Consultations - Members of the Society attended and participated in hearings on the Federal Green Plan, "A Framework for Discussion on the Environment" in April and June.

Letters to the Government - the Society made written representations to the Minister of Environment on our position against killing of cormorants, the need to use paper wisely by printing government documents on both sides of the page, and the need to hire a non-game biologist to develop and coordinate non-game programs with the Fish and Wildlife Division. The Society also contacted the Deputy-Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture regarding 100 empty or partly empty oil cans found near Thomas Island in Murray Harbour.

Boughton Island - Sue Stephenson continued the Society's efforts to protect Boughton Island by representing the Society at committee meetings and meeting with government officials to press for proper enforcement of the conditions placed on the development permit.

Ongoing Events - The Society continued the following programs: sponsorship of the National Park, Hillsborough, and Montague Christmas Bird Counts and the Bain Birdathon; provision of prizes and judging of the Natural History competition at the Science Fair; support of the Rails to Trails initiative; provision of the publication "American Birds" to the U.P.E.I. Library; providing a representative to the General Council of the Island Nature Trust; sales of its colouring book Island Wings; support of the Canadian Nature Federation's programs; participation in the Environment Week Planning Committee; hosting of the annual slide competition, and bimonthly publication of its newsletter, “Island Naturalist".

Conferences - Society representatives attended the conference “Our Island Environment", an environmental project update session, and the Red Cross Exploration Symposium.

Programs - The Society continued its education programs at its monthly meetings with videos on bird feeders, the bird count, the South Moresby Caravan, Piping Plover, Water and the Economy, and Estuaries being shown. Speakers made presentations on the Maritimes Breeding Bird Atlas, the Eagles of Prince Edward Island, the caribou of Newfoundland, the terns of Atlantic Canada, and non-game bird use of managed and unmanaged forest habitats. In addition, the Society

- 3 -