Environmental Coalition Of PEI, Charlottetown, PE

81 Prince St. Phone: (902) 651-2575 The Environmental Coalition of Prince Edward Island began in the fall of 1989. At that time, there were many excellent conservation organizations active in the province - everything from the Island Nature Trust, the Natural History Society of PEI and many watershed organizations. But there were also large environmental issues surrounding land use, including pesticide use and deforestation, and no organization mandated to really take them on. From the beginning, we looked to improve our Island environment and to educate ourselves and the general public on environmental issues. At that time, composting and recycling were just beginning to come in to favour in the province, energy conservation was talked about but not really pursued, forest restoration was in its infancy, and the links between pesticide use and cancer, as well as fish kills, were hot-button issues. In 1991, we started the Macphail Woods Ecological Forestry Project on the Sir Andrew Macphail Homestead in Orwell. The project has grown to receive both local and national awards and attention and has managed to have a very positive influence on forest policy in the province. Over the past decade, we have also been active on energy issues - everything from presenting to various Standing Committees and the Island Regulatory and Appeals Commission, to producing educational material on energy conservation. In addition, we have participated in many national environmental initiatives and continue to work with Island schools to help instill a conservation ethic in students. We continue to look for help from within the broader Island community and would welcome your participation in our organization.