We’d be happy to assist on museum

Published in The Guardian - Feb 21, 2007
by DWAINE OAKLEY
Stratford, president, Natural History Society of P.E.I

Editor:

The members of the Natural History Society of Prince Edward Island have noted with interest the items in the media related to a potential provincial museum.

The Society consists of nature lovers and others who exchange information and keep records on natural features, especially birds. The Society also promotes, encourages and enjoys the study of natural history.

While the Island has a number of sites that come under the management of the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation, there is no provincial museum like those in the other provinces. A provincial museum would not only enable greater opportunity to preserve and protect cultural history, but more importantly, would enable protection and interpretation of natural history.

The Natural History Society supports the creation of a provincial museum that would preserve and interpret the Island’s natural and cultural history. The main function of a provincial museum is to tell the whole story, from beginning to present, using the best research and interpretative techniques to convey this knowledge. Throughout this, it is essential to maintain an ecological perspective; that is, to tell the human story in relation to the greatly altered natural environment upon which we all depend.

If the province should decide to establish a provincial museum facility, the members of the Society would be pleased to provide the information we have and to assist in an advisory capacity.