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     Canadian Nature Federation Conference Report 
     
    
   
   
    
     Memories of the 1978 Canadian Nature Federation Conference are . 
     
     probably still as fresh as the blueberries we served there, but for the 
     
     record, here are some highlights. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Response to the program was nothing less than enthusiastic. All 
     
     presentations were of very high calibre; those by Freeman Patterson, 
     
     Betty Howatt and Elizabeth May were nothing short of outstanding. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Those who sat through the annual general meeting remember it was 
     
     very long. One item on the agenda was of particular interest to > 
     
     Islanders — the resolution indicating support for the preservation of the 
     
     Deroche Point wetland and dune system. 
     
    
   
   
    
     New Brunswick field trips were filled to capacity and something to 
     
     write home about, if there had been time. Likewise the P.E.I. field 
     
     trips were full of adventure and intrigue, including a bus break-down 
     
     on the first trip. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Lobstering tested the drylander"s abilities to hold down their 
     
     dinners, but most found their sea—legs early. Unfortunately bad weather 
     
     forced cancellation of lobster and mackrel fishing on the second day. On 
     
     the remainder of the trips the weather was more than co-operative, some- 
     
     times too co—operative. Some on~the.Blooming Point trip ended up with 
     
     sunburned feet. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The Basin Head trip was a problem because there just didn't seem to 
     
     be enough time to explore, but the only complaint about the photography 
     
     course was that there was no strawberry Shortcake to eat at coffee breaks. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The early morning bird trips were well attended by both people and 
     
     birds. Late risers outdid the early birds in spotting rare visitants. 
     
     For the record a Little Gull was seen August 18 by Martin Edwards, 
     
     Jan Dexter and others, and later in the week by Simon Lunn and Wayne Neilly. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The conference was not totally a naturalists outing. At night the 
     
     residences were the scenes of impromptu get-togethers and there were also 
     
     organized receptions and banquets. The reception on Friday night was 
     
     followed by a rowsing square-dance, where under the guidance of caller 
     
     Joe Murphy we learned that 1.’ square dancing is easier than it looks, 
     
    

    
     2. square dancing is fun, 3."square dancing is regorous exercise for 
     
     our-of—shape naturalists. A good time was had by all. 
     
    
   
   
    
     The banquet was equally satisfying despite the late hour. Waiting 
     
     for the lobster just made it taste better and provided the time for us to 
     
     hear two original lobster jokes. Father Bolger treated us with tales of 
     
     L.M. Montgomery, and we drove home by the light of the full moon. (as 
     
     planned by Vera Beck). 
     
    
   
   
    
     We are pleased to announce that the 255 registrants at the conference 
     
     were happy to come and sad to leave. Their participation made the con- 
     
     ference the success it was and we thank them for coming. We're looking 
     
     forward to the next C.N.F. Conference in Montreal. 
     
    
   
   
    
     Rosemary Curley 
     
     Conference Chairman