ACTIVITIES IN 
     
     PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND 
     
     NATIONAL PARK 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     (with this issue we begin what we hope will become a regular feature - NEWS 
     
     FROM THE NATIONAL PARK. In this way our members have the opportunity to become 
     
     better informed and thereby more involved in the activities offered by the park.) 
     
    
   
   
    
     This summer will be an action-packed one at Prince Edward Island National 
     
     Park. Along with our regular Interpretive Program, seVeral special programs 
     
     are being planned to take place throughout the summer. 
     
    

    
     To herald the long awaited arrival of spring, our annual event, Birds and 
     
     Breakfast will be held again this year on May 29. This special program has 
     
     been a favourite in the past and is popular with "birders" and "non-birders" 
     
     alike. Bring the whole family and your friends. We will be meeting at Rustico 
     
     Island Campground at 6:30 a.m. sharp. Park Interpreters will lead small groups 
     
     into different habitats to look for recent arrivals of spring migrants to the 
     
     Prak. At about 8:00 a.m., everyone.will gather for a hearty breakfast, prepared 
     
     by a local Women's Institute and available for a small fee. Bring your own 
     
     binoculars and bird identification books, if you have them, and be prepared to 
     
     have a wonderful time! 
     
    

    
     Another special program is being planned this summer which will be of 
     
     interest tobird lovers. Recent studies have shown that increased use of some 
     
     of the Park beaches has resulted in a marked decrease in nesting success for the 
     
     Piping Plover, a small migrant shorebird, whose numbers are decreasing yearly. 
     
     Twenty pairs, representing 1% of the world's dwindling population, are known 
     
     to nest on the shores of Prince Edward Island National Park. Due to concern for 
     
     this bird, considered to be a threatened species, Parks Canada plans to take 
     
     action to alleviate the situation. Further details about this program will be 
     
     announced later in May through the media. 
     
    

    
     Later on in the summer, another annual special event will be held. Islander 
     
     gay, an all day extravaganza, will take place on the first Saturday in August. 
     
    

    
     A giant Sandsculpturing Contest will be held and prizes will be given for the 
     
     best creation in sand depicting the theme of the day. This special day is full 
     
     of fun with summer activities for the whole family. 
     
    

    
     The Park Players Theatre Troupe will be back this year to entertain 
     
     everyone with their lighthearted portrayal of natural and human history. They 
     
     are likely to turn up anywhere, at any time, to perform, so keep an eye out 
     
     for them. Details of their whereabouts will be posted on bulletin boards 
     
     in the Park. 
     
    

    
     -Our regular Interpretive Program will include evening programs and guided 
     
     walks held on a regular basis in the Cavendish and Dalvay areas. The content 
     
     of these programs ranges from edible wilds to the indepth field hikes relating 
     
     to the geology, dunes and history found within the Park. The full details will 
     
     be given in our newsletter on Park Activities which is printed three times 
     
     during the summer. Specific dates for special events will be included in this 
     
     brochure and posted on our bulletin boards. 
     
    

    
     We're looking forward to seeing you at our many events this summer at P.E.I. 
     
     National Park. For more detailed information, call an Interpreter at the Park, 
     
     672-2211. 
     
    
   
   
    
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