Natural HistoD) Society news

The December 1 meeting of the Natural History Society was very well— attended and combined lots of business with a thoroughly enjoyable talk and slide show by Katherine Clough about mushrooms. It seems that a lot of work will have to be done if we are to get a Natural History Curator for the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation. Minister of Community and Cultural Affairs Gilbert Clements responded to a letter from the NHS on the subject by saying that it was highly unlikely that the government would be able to respond at this time because of the deficit and lack of resources. Other avenues are being looked into.

Dan McAskill told members of the Education Coalition that has been formed (including the’NHS, Women's Institute and Island Nature Trust) to discuss the education of school children on natural history and resources on P.E.I. The provincial Conservation Strategy recommended that environ— mental education be brought into the schools, and the group is looking for support for a study to see what's in the school's now and what should be there. A motion was carried to indicate to the Institute of Island Studies that they modify their original proposal to bring the cost down to $50,000. This did not preclude NHS support for anyone else doing the study. A call went out for slides of natural history for the Department of Tourism to use in its 'Touch Nature' campaign for 1988, which David Suzuki has agreed to be honorary chairperson.

Rosemary Curley, Paul McGuigan and Gary Schneider formed the nomina- ting committee for the 1988 executive. Pat Wooton told members that the Wildlife Management Area at Orwell Cove has two farmers that want to have their land removed from management. Diane Griffin recommended that the NHS communicate its concern to government and ask that a crop depradation fund be established. While the area gives birds a place to feed, it is also used to concentrate birds to improve hunting in the adjoining areaz.

Dr. Clough, Managing Director of Headland Nature Tours, impressed everyone with artistic slides and the meeting ran late as people stayed to ask questions and talk about mushrooms.

Twenty seven people attended the January meeting, postponed to the 12th due to bad weather, and as usual the annual meeting was very active. Susan Stephenson read out-going president Rosemary Curley's year-end re— port on the busy year. Everyone agreed that Rosemary played a major role in making 1987 such a successful year with her hard work. Following the lead of the Lady's Slipper Naturalists, the NHS will now report on each meeting by issuing a press release to the Guardian.

Dan McAskill reported that the Island Nature Trust has purchased an- other property at DesRoches Pond, and will soon finalize a deal for part of MacKinnon's bog in Cardross. He also told memebers about the plans for the Canadian Nature Federation's annual meet— ing in June of 1989. The CNF is working on a forestry poli- cy paper and has started an education committee. A motion was passed for Gary Schneider to draft a letter (with the approval of the executive) in response to the proposed En— vironmental Management Act for the province. The is concern that the act should focus more on protection than manage- ment. Members discussed David Suzuki's change of-mind regarding being involved with the Department of Tourism's Touch Nature promotion.

It was also moved that the Society send a letter to the provincial and federal negotiators regarding the upcoming Forest Resource Develop— ment Agreement to voice our support for multiple—use forestry. The fixed link came up at the meeting. The was not time for much discussion and n. stand was taken, although it will undoubtably be brought up again at future meetings. Finally, in the midst of all the snow, Jim Campbell gave us a taste of the Caribbean. The underwater photography of life around a coral reef was very much appreciated and a nice break for everyone.

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