NEWS FROM ABOUT: Compiled by J. Dan McAskill 
     
    
   
   
    
     Congratulations to the 1999 winners of the PEI Environmental Awards. They are: Dennis Hopping 
     
     of Mill's Point in the Individual Category, BBEMA in the Organization Category, Georgetown Environmental 
     
     Team of Georgetown Elementary School for Youth Category, Charlottetown Rural Envirothon Team for ’ 
     
     Education, and Printer Works (Laser Solutions Inc.) in the business category. 
     
    

    
     In May, many National and regional newspapers carried reports of the changes to the 
     
     Environmental Protection Act and its potential to cause improvements in our environment. Former 
     
     Ministers of the Environment who sat on the committee reviewing the Act revisions were particularly critical 
     
     of the weakening of the proposed legislation caused by the lobbying of industrial representatives (adapted 
     
     from CNF's Conservation News consolidation). 
     
    

    
     Good news! The Bedeque Bay Environmental Management Association and the Southeast 
     
     Environmental Association recently received Eco Action Program funding from Environment Canada. 
     
    

    
     This funding will support green home visits, farm visits and associated community events meant to reduce 
     
     water and energy consumption in homes and on farms and to increase biodiversity around homes and 
     
     farms. The ultimate goal is reducing climate change, maintaining air quality, and preserving and 
     
     enhancing nature (adapted from SEA release June 9, 1999). 
     
    

    
     Care to really test you birding skills or complete an immersion day in birding? Do you have 2 to 5 
     
     friends of a similar persuasion? Perhaps you would be interested in the Taverner Cup competition which 
     
     features a serious competitive level one and a more fun level two competition. This birding event was 
     
     founded by Jeff Harrison who is affiliated with Vanier College in Montreal. it is held at a similar time to the 
     
     Bain Bird Count. Only serious teams anticipate a 200 species day but all share in the fun. The count area 
     
     is centred on Arnprior Ontario and runs from Longueuil, QC to Huntsville, ON. This count is designed to 
     
     raise bird awareness, increase ecotourism, and raise conservation funds through sponsorship for teams 
     
     and participant fees (adapted from David Bird's "Birds Eye View" column in Montreal Gazette, May 1, 1999 
     
     - article fonivarded by Neil and Sally Bennett). 
     
    

    
     Despite the advent on computers and efforts to encourage recycling, consumption of paper 
     
     products increased sixfold between 1975 and 1998. 95% of all information is kept on a paper base 
     
     (adapted from a FERlC Bulletin abstract on L. Lachapelle article in National Post Nov. 11, 1998 p. C11). 
     
    

    
     Ducks Unlimited Canada will provide $500,000 over a five year period to the University of 
     
     Saskatchewan for the eco-agriculture enhancement chair. The position will expand research into 
     
     improved winter wheat varieties and sustainable, conservation based farming (adapted from Jan. 12, 1999 
     
     The Saskatoon Star Phoenix article by Renee Tratch carried in CNF's Conservation News consolidation). 
     
    

    
     What do snowshoe hare and Chanel No. 5 have in common? They were used to trap live capture 
     
     four lynx in British Columbia for re-introduction to Colorado. The females were released first into the San 
     
     Juan Mountains at 310 metres elevation. This was done as they establish territories which were hoped to 
     
     attract the males which would be released later. (adapted from "Bilateral Lynx" a National Post article of 
     
     Feb. 10, 1999 carried in CNF's Conservation News consolidation). 
     
    

    
     Limber pine discovered in the Whaleback area of southwest Alberta are 575 years old and stands 
     
     of Douglas fir 400 years old have also been identified there. These ancient trees are part of a 250 square 
     
     kilometre area that is a candidate for Special Places protection. 
     
    
   
   
    
     HIGH TIDES: 
     
    
   
   
    
     Expressed as date - time in Atlantic Standard Time on 24 hour clock eg. 1300 = 1 pm (Please adjust for 
     
     Daylight Savings Time when appropriate).