Island seeks

Pro vin cial Tree

BY ROSEMARY CURLEY

Across Canada, The Canadian Institute of Forestry is promoting the selection of Provincial Trees, and the PEI chapter is initiating a selection process here on the Island. A number of groups have already' supported the basic idead of legislating a Provincial Tree and have had some input into the criteria which should be used in selecting this symbol. A committee has been struck, with members from our own so— ciety, the Island Nature Trust, the Prov— incial Forestry Department and of course,

RED OAK the Canadian Institute of Forestry. As well, other groups such as the Rural Beautification Society will be con- tacted to help promote the idea.

Briefly stated, the symbol should be a native tree species which has played a significant role in Island life, either historically, or in the present. Trees already proclaimed as Provincial symbols, i.e. the Lodge— pole Pine (Alberta) and the White Pine (Ontario) will not be considered as candidates. Further, the selection process should be used to increase public appreciation of trees, and such a process has been defined.

Candidates will be nominated by any individual or group, with the support of 20 signatures. the closing date for nominations will be Oct— ober 15, 1986, so if the Natural History Society decides to nominate a a tree, we will do so at our October meeting. A vote will be held in Nov— ember after suitable lobbying time for the various nominees. Finally, a proclamation should be drafted by November 30, to be presented to the Legislature by the Minister of Energy and Forestry, Allison Ellis.

If you have a favourite tree that meets the selection criteria, be ready to state your choice in October and back it in a public vote in November! Dogs are excluded from the vote.

********************

Just in case this newsletter gets out in record time, Terry Power is leading a field trip to the Townsend Woodlot near Souris on Saturday, July 26. Anyone interested should meet at 9 a.m. in the Provincial Build— ing's parking lot, across from Beaconsfield, armed with lunch and bino— culars. People living in the eastern part of the Island can meet Terry at Pooles Corner (9:30) or Dingwells Mills (9:50). The woodlot should be a good site for birds, wildflowers and of course trees.

*********************‘k

For anyone interested in sending in bird sightings, articles or art— work for the September-October issue of the Island Naturalist, the dead- line will be September 1.