Preserving our natural history

When Diane Griffin considered opportunities to get involved with any of nearly 70 government agencies, boards and commissions through Engage PEI, she knew exactly where she fit: the Museum and Heritage Foundation.

Many people might not realize it but the Museum and Heritage Foundation board is responsible for the Island’s natural heritage, as well as cultural heritage.

Diane Griffin, who has dedicated her life to protecting our island's natural spaces, knew she could contribute as someone who had a background in animal and plant collections, as well as other historical artifacts. She was one of dozens of Islanders offered a seat on the Museum and Heritage Foundation board.

Diane was program director the Nature Conservancy of Canada in Prince Edward Island for many years. She has served as Executive Director of the Island Nature Trust and as Deputy Minister of Environment for the PEI Government.

As a student, Diane worked as a field researcher for the International Biological Program. She has a passion for natural history, botany and birds.

When asked why she chose to get involved with the Museum and Heritage Foundation Board, Diane talks about the importance of preserving and displaying the Island’s natural history collections.

Citing, as an example, the now extinct passenger pigeon that once flourished on the Island, she says: “We haven’t done a very good job – where would students go to see our collections? There is no evidence anywhere. We need more mounted specimens, more publications. We’ve got to find a way to make it happen.”

She gets excited when she talks about the natural history museums in Nova Scotia and Ontario which offer school programs to introduce young people to the natural world.

“It is not just about drawers of animal skins and pressed plants. These collections can be borrowed and traded around institutions and used for scientific research,” she said.

Diane also wants to work with the board to harness the power of citizen scientists. When she was involved in a project with Nature PEI and UPEI, she says they received hundreds of spider samples from enthusiastic ecologists.

 “A lot is being done by volunteers but a lot more could be done, and we need an organized effort and a place for their information to be kept. I’m anxious to work with the board and staff to determine how we can better fulfill the natural history mandate and work with partners; that’s how we get things done.”

Many agencies, boards and commissions include representation by experts and practitioners in their fields, government values and invites participation from Islanders with a wide range of knowledge and interests. Islanders are encouraged to consider contributing through membership on a board.