News Release Archive

EDUCATION/CULTURE--PLANT RESEARCH PROJECT RECEIVES MUSEUM GRANT
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Ruth Newell and Gini Proulx from the Annapolis Valley received
one of 11 grants for innovative community-based research projects
made possible thanks to almost $37,000 provided through the Nova
Scotia Museum Endowment Fund.

Ms. Newell and Ms. Proulx will research the distribution,
abundance and habitat of a rare coastal plain plant, Golden Crest
(Lophiola aurea), on Digby Neck. Southwestern Nova Scotia is the
only place in Canada where this species is found.

Candace Stevenson, Nova Scotia Museum's executive director, said
this research is made possible through the generosity of the
people who donate money to the museum's endowment fund.

"As a result, the museum can carry out special activities -- in
this case, important research on a wide variety of Nova Scotia
topics that enable us to learn more about our past, present and
future. We are then able to build on what is already known and,
through the Nova Scotia Museum's 25 sites, share this valuable
and interesting information with all Nova Scotians."

Education and Culture Minister Robbie Harrison commended the
museum's board for making research projects a priority.

"For a relatively small investment, Nova Scotians are learning
more and more about important aspects of our natural and cultural
history and our way of life in communities across the province,"
Mr. Harrison said. "As one example, archeological research at a
Black Loyalist settlement in Birchtown, Shelburne Co., uncovered
information that will assist protection efforts of this important
heritage site."

The Nova Scotia Museum board of governors have approved more
projects this year than ever before in six different categories:
archeology, black history, Mi'kmaq history, music, paleontology
and rare species. Individual grants range from $2,000 to $4,000.

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Contact: Donna MacDonald
         Education and Culture
         902-424-2615

NOTE TO EDITORS: A complete list of the 11 research projects is
available by calling 902-424-4492.

trp                     May 28, 1997 - 1:30 p.m.