.I feel the formation of a national grasslands park is long over— due in the national park system. The Killdeer—Val Marie area of southern Saskatchewan is one qf the last large areas of undisturbed short—grass prairie and should be preserved as a national park to protect endangered species and for the enjoyment of future generations.

A concerned Canadian, 0

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P.E.I. PROVINCIAL PARKS CLASSIFICATION

In October 1973, a task force was appointed to work on a classification system for the provincial parks on P. E. I. . The overall view was

to have parks which would present natural and cultural experiences to present and future generations of park users. In its final report,

the task force envisaged a system of parks consisting of five classes. 1) Nature preserve

2) Recreation park

3) Natural environment park

4) Wayside/beach access park

5) Historic park

The objective of the.nature preserve will be to protect and perpet— uate in an undisturbed state, individual features of unique natural significance. These-features shall possess inherent scientific and/ or educational value. In the preserve, visitation levels will be established to ensure maintenance and quality of the natural feature. No campgrounds or motorized transportation will be allowed.

The objective of the natural environment park is to set aside certain natural lands to acquaint'the user with aesthetic values of the natural landscape and associated compatible forms of recreation. Where campsites are provided, they shall be sufficiently secluded and arranged to be compatible with the landscape. 'Campsites will not necessarily be provided with vehicle access.

The parks described above, as well as, the historic park will have interpretive programs , in the majority of cases. '

Diane Griffin, Prov. Naturalist, Dept. of Environment

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THE LAST WORD

This is the first issue of our newsletter. We hope to publish one bimonthly, if not monthly. Our next issue will be out in early May. We need your support. If you hear of upcoming events of interest to P. E. I. natural historians or know of an interesting place for a hike, drop a line to Margaret Mallett, 53 Fitzroy St., Ch'town, or phone 894—9595. We urge you to contribute an article, poetry, interesting observations, etc. Let us know what you think of our first newsletter, and how we can make it more relevant to natural historians on P. E. I..