our area was not surprising considering the barren nature of the habitat - mostly lizhen, with mosses and sedges on wetter ground. 0f greater importance to the ecosystem and the Inuit are the sea mammals. White whales, or belugas, were once very important food for the Inuit, but now only a small herd of fifty animals remains in the area. Baleen whales, narwhales, and walrus also occurred off northern Quebec, but the animals we saw most.often were the seals: ringed, harbour and harp seals would often poke their snouts out of the water, or crawl up onto the icepans to bask in the sun. '

Unfortunately, this beautiful, serene ecosystem is being threatened by the activities of man. Caribou, white whales, and eiders have already declined in numbers through shooting. Narwhales and baleen whales have decreased because of the whaling industry. Sea mammals and especially seabirds are threatened by the oil industry developing in Hudson's Bay, oil spills often killing thousands of birds. And even the activities of scientific researchers can disturb animals enough to prevent them from breeding successfully.

CNF NEWS

CANADIAN NATURE FEDERATION REPORT by J. Dan McAskill

Several issues of interest to Island members of the Canadian Nature Federation were discussed at the November meetings of the CNF’s Environmental Action Committee and the Board. The CNF's revised Wolf Policy was approved and the upcoming Nature Canada issue will carry an article on wolves. The Youth and Education Committee is working on a draft letter prepared by Mary Majka on educational needs, and those with an interest in this area should contact me by phone (569-4351) or at the next NHS meeting. The 1984 Annual Meeting of the Federation will be hebd in Vancouver in the first week of July, and information on field trips and agendas will be published in Nature Canada as it becomes available. Resolutions for the Annual Meeting are due in April and these should be submitted as soon as possible, either to the CNF directly, if they are to represent an individual's concern, or to the NHS if they are to represent the society’s concern as a whole.

The financial situation of the Federation has improved but further assistance is still required to turn the deficit around. Membership packages are available at NHS meetings and a year’s membership {$20.00) provides an individual with 4 issues of one of the best outdoor magazines in canada as well as discounts on a wide selection of nature books, art prints, binoculars, telescopes, greeting cards, etc., plus access to field trips throughout the country. Please join the Federation and support its fight for sensibfe land management.

:CN’T FORGET TO BEN W ICU? 351353.3133? I]: THE FIATCFAL HISTORY SOCIETY FOR 1984