the Lamiaceae (Mint Family) was found near Brackley and has stumped regional experts; it will also be sent 
     
     away for identification. 
     
    

    
     ‘ ~ I ' Native species found in 2002 included Vaccinium caespitosum (Dwarf 
     
     Bilberry) identified at Greenwich. This low shrub is somewhat similar to the 
     
     common lowbush blueberry, but the leaves are widest towards the tip rather than 
     
     towards the base. Vallisneria americana (Tapegrass) is a native aquatic plant found 
     
     at both Deroche Pond and in the Naufrage River. It looks a bit like the saltwater eel 
     
     grass (Zostera marina), but likes quiet freshwater and has three prominent stripes 
     
     along the leaves, which can be as much as a metre long. Naufrage River was also the 
     
     site of two more native finds: Saggitaria cuneata (Northern Arrowhead) and what 
     
     may be 
     
     Viburnum acerifolium (Maple-leaved Viburnum). This latter species would be particularly interesting as it is 
     
     extremely rare in New Brunswick and has not been found in Nova Scotia. We’ll need to re-visit the site to collect 
     
     flowers next spring, but all its characteristics are consistent with the tentative identification. Finally, one new 
     
     sedge - Carex radiata (Eastern Star Sedge) - was found at Cavendish. This is a large and sometimes complex 
     
     genus that many people overlook; it will likely reveal more new records in the future. 
     
    

    
     With the anticipated expansion of field work associated with the proposed update of Erskine’s The Plants 
     
    

    
     of Prince Edward Island, natural historians can look forward to even more discoveries in the coming year. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     VAchllIll UZS'ITOSII‘ 
     
    
   
   
    
     NEW TRAILS: 
     
    
   
   
    
     by Jesse Francis 
     
    
   
   
    
     “The Path of our Forefathers" is a two-loop trail, with loops 3 and 7 
     
     km's in length, giving a walking distance of 3 or 10 km's. In the spring it will 
     
     feature interpretive signage about local Mi'lcmaq history including subjects 
     
     such as traditional plant use, Mi'kmaq Language, elders, storytelling, forest 
     
     use and land history. The short loop is also accessible to wheelchairs and 
     
    
   
   
    
     cyclists. The trails cross a wide variety of forest types and both 100ps include 
     
     coastal sections. 
     
    
   
   
    
       
     
    
   
   
    
     SOCIETY NEWS: 
     
     / ROADSIDE MOWING PROGRAM: 
     
    
   
   
    
     One of the mandates of the Natural History Society is to work with government departments 
     
     on conservation. In this light, the President wrote the Minister of Transportation and Public Works 
     
     concerning the department's seemingly aggressive roadside mowing program. The Society posed 
     
     questions to define the need as this roadside habitat is an important nesting area for certain warblers 
     
     and sparrows. The Society is still awaiting a reply. 
     
    
   
   
    
     / RARE BIRD ALERTS: 
     
    
   
   
    
     For over a decade, the Society used a phone web to advise members of rare bird sightings in 
     
     the province. This spring, David Seeler started exploring the possibility of a free source for a web 
     
     server for disseminating this information. While this is being sought, the Society has created an e- 
     
     mail list of birders wishing rare bird notifications. This has worked well for the keen listers in the 
     
     group and resulted in some photographic confirmations. A wonderful side benefit for our records list.