NEWS FROM ABOUT: Compiled by J. Dan McAskill

Congratulations to the 1999 winners of the PEI Environmental Awards. They are: Dennis Hopping of Mill's Point in the Individual Category, BBEMA in the Organization Category, Georgetown Environmental Team of Georgetown Elementary School for Youth Category, Charlottetown Rural Envirothon Team for ’ Education, and Printer Works (Laser Solutions Inc.) in the business category.

In May, many National and regional newspapers carried reports of the changes to the Environmental Protection Act and its potential to cause improvements in our environment. Former Ministers of the Environment who sat on the committee reviewing the Act revisions were particularly critical of the weakening of the proposed legislation caused by the lobbying of industrial representatives (adapted from CNF's Conservation News consolidation).

Good news! The Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association and the Southeast Environmental Association recently received Eco Action Program funding from Environment Canada.

This funding will support green home visits, farm visits and associated community events meant to reduce water and energy consumption in homes and on farms and to increase biodiversity around homes and farms. The ultimate goal is reducing climate change, maintaining air quality, and preserving and enhancing nature (adapted from SEA release June 9, 1999).

Care to really test you birding skills or complete an immersion day in birding? Do you have 2 to 5 friends of a similar persuasion? Perhaps you would be interested in the Taverner Cup competition which features a serious competitive level one and a more fun level two competition. This birding event was founded by Jeff Harrison who is affiliated with Vanier College in Montreal. it is held at a similar time to the Bain Bird Count. Only serious teams anticipate a 200 species day but all share in the fun. The count area is centred on Arnprior Ontario and runs from Longueuil, QC to Huntsville, ON. This count is designed to raise bird awareness, increase ecotourism, and raise conservation funds through sponsorship for teams and participant fees (adapted from David Bird's "Birds Eye View" column in Montreal Gazette, May 1, 1999 - article fonivarded by Neil and Sally Bennett).

Despite the advent on computers and efforts to encourage recycling, consumption of paper products increased sixfold between 1975 and 1998. 95% of all information is kept on a paper base (adapted from a FERlC Bulletin abstract on L. Lachapelle article in National Post Nov. 11, 1998 p. C11).

Ducks Unlimited Canada will provide $500,000 over a five year period to the University of Saskatchewan for the eco-agriculture enhancement chair. The position will expand research into improved winter wheat varieties and sustainable, conservation based farming (adapted from Jan. 12, 1999 The Saskatoon Star Phoenix article by Renee Tratch carried in CNF's Conservation News consolidation).

What do snowshoe hare and Chanel No. 5 have in common? They were used to trap live capture four lynx in British Columbia for re-introduction to Colorado. The females were released first into the San Juan Mountains at 310 metres elevation. This was done as they establish territories which were hoped to attract the males which would be released later. (adapted from "Bilateral Lynx" a National Post article of Feb. 10, 1999 carried in CNF's Conservation News consolidation).

Limber pine discovered in the Whaleback area of southwest Alberta are 575 years old and stands of Douglas fir 400 years old have also been identified there. These ancient trees are part of a 250 square kilometre area that is a candidate for Special Places protection.

HIGH TIDES:

Expressed as date - time in Atlantic Standard Time on 24 hour clock eg. 1300 = 1 pm (Please adjust for Daylight Savings Time when appropriate).