NEWS AND NOTES

FEBRUARY MEETING REPORT. The Feb. lst meeting was held at Beaconsfield, attended by about 40 members. Rosemary Curley reported on the recent meeting held by the Island Nature Trust in Tracadie to obtain public input on management options for Deroche Point. The new representative from the NHS to the Nature Trust is Pat Doyle. Some responses have begun coming in to the committee attempting to locate Island natural history specimens held in museums elsewhere. A letter from P.E.I. National Park invited the NHS to attend a public meeting Tater this winter to help develop a management plan for Piping Plovers within the park.

Speaker for the evening was Mary Herbert of the Nova Scotia Museum in Halifax. Her excellent presentation provided an overview of a museum actively involved in collecting, preserving and displaying artifacts and specimens; researching; and in presenting a wide range of educational services across the province. It really opened our eyes to the potential a provincial museum of man and nature can have in this province.

MARCH MEETING REPORT. Some 35 members attended the March lst meeting held at Beaconsfieid. P.E.I. has been invited to send a delegate to a meeting of Environc mental Non-Government Organizations (ENGO) to be held in Ottawa in late April. A committee was established to make input to the National Park on Piping Plover man- agement. It was decided to investigate the possibility of clearing out the old road between Suffolk and York for use as a hiking trail. A planning committee was set up for the CNF regional meeting to be held in Charlottetown this fall. A request for financial support from a Nova Scotia group against the spraying of herbicides was tabled pending receipt of further information. Submissions were invited for a new and distinctive name for the Natural History Society Newsletter. ‘

The evening's speaker was Katherine Clough, who introduced us to the wonderful world of fungi to be found in our woodlands, fields, gardens, lawns and even refrigerators. Her excellent slides and comments were a great help to mushroom watchers and aspiring mushroom watchers. Anyone interested in participating in spring mushroom walks should leave his name with Katherine at 894-8390.

HELEN DUFFEY. It was with deep sadness that the Society recently learned of the death of Miss Helen Duffey. One of our senior members, Helen, in her quiet and unassuming manner, has contributed much to the society over the years, particularly in her capacity as assistant to the Secretary-Treasurer. She will be greatly missed.

ROBIE TUFTS. The death last fall of Dr. Robie H. Tufts of Holfville, N.S. marked the close of a most remarkable life. For almost a century Robie Tufts had been studying, protecting, writing and educating people about birds. For many years Dr. Tufts was the federal migratory birds officer for the Maritimes, but is probably best remembered as the author of The Birds of Nova Scotia and as mentor to several generations of students of ornithology.

FINAL RENEWAL REMINDER FROM THE SECRETARY-TREASURER. One month from the date that this newsletter goes out, the mailing list will be checked over for 1982 members who have not renewed membership. These names will be removed from the mailing list. Sorry about that.

NATURE SLIDE CONTEST. Members are invited to submit up to ten slides to the annual nature slide contest. Entries should be forwarded to Margaret Mallett by April 5th. Only slides which have not been entered in previous NHS contests are eligible. Entries will be shown at the May meeting, at which time prizes will be awarded.

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