effectively. It was apparent in all cases that their research had instilled 
     
     a respect for wildlife in general particularly in the species of their 
     
     choice. 
     
    

    
     Megan Murphy is a grade 6 student at Queen Elizabeth Elementary in 
     
     Kensington. Her project was simply named "Skunks". Megan spent a lot of 
     
     time explaining the biology of the skunk. I was quite impressed with her 
     
     knowledge and just when I thought she was finished she opened a folder with 
     
     the results of over 400 surveys completed by teachers and students in her 
     
     school. She reported that less than 60 of 455 people surveyed said they have 
     
     never had a personal encounter with a skunk. 
     
    

    
     Adam Pollard is a grade 5 student at Elliot River School. He chose the 
     
     beaver for his project because there appeared to be lots of information on 
     
     it. He mastered the information and built a very attractive display complete 
     
     with dam, a real beaver, and even a beaver trapping device. Do you know what 
     
     the value of a beaver was to a trapper in PEI in 1997? Answer $38.55. 
     
    

    
     Matthew Yates and James Sullivan from Montague called their project 
     
     "We're for the Birds". If the names sound familiar, its because these boys 
     
     were recipients of a Natural History Prize last year at the Science Fair. 
     
    

    
     The project looked at different species at city feeders and rural feeders. 
     
     They sent out some surveys to further support their own findings. Their logs 
     
     and sightings were very interesting and informative. A special highlight for 
     
     them was an unusual hawk (the species name I've forgotten) dropping by the 
     
     city feeder for lunch. 
     
    
   
   
    
     BUILDING THE MACPHAIL NATURE CENTRE by Fred Horne 
     
    
   
   
    
     The proposed Macphail Natural History Centre will start with the 
     
     reconstruction of an on—site building measuring 70' x 22'. It will have a 
     
     cathedral ceiling for about 1/3 of its length and the remaining 2/3 will have 
     
     an upper floor. To implement this ambitious project, support is required 
     
     from the naturalist community on the Island and elsewhere. Perhaps you have 
     
     some of the following components sitting around from your renovation projects 
     
     or an older field book that you've replaced. Maybe you can help by pledging 
     
     the monies for one or more or part of one of the following requirements or 
     
     you might have an animal mount in good condition or equipment that is 
     
     required. If you have particular skills and the appropriate licenses for 
     
     plumbing or wiring or have skills in pouring and polishing concrete, roofing, 
     
     taxidermy, or other associated skill for the tasks below you can be of 
     
     invaluable aid in the completion of this much needed undertaking. 
     
    

    
     The needs are as follows: 
     
    

    
     Exterior: 
     
    

    
     1) Construct a Foundation - footing, 4 foot frost wall, slab on 
     
    

    
     grade, insulation under slab, lifting and re—settling building. 
     
    

    
     2) Roofing - 25 year shingles, 2800 sq. ft. 
     
    

    
     3) Insulation - (r20) 4,500 sq. ft. plus vapour barrier & sealant 
     
    

    
     4) Wall & Ceiling covering: 3,500 sq ft. 
     
    

    
     5) Wall finishing and nails 
     
    

    
     6) Floor covering, second story: 1,200 sq. ft. 
     
    

    
     7) Two exterior doors with hardware 
     
    
   
   
    
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