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Brochure Will Help Tourists and Residents

The work will include the writing of a brochure showing the locations of the selected environmental habitats; charts describing life forms found at each site; a slide show depicting the entire project; and several 'bioramas" - lifelike displays of the plants and animals discovered in

a particular place.

"This will certainly help the tourists and residents in New Westminster," says

Peacock. "Many people tend to neglect those natural areas which are closest to home."

The brochure will be like a key to the ecological havens of the city, and people who use it won't have to drive 30 miles just to see something that they could have found in their own backyard."

Basis for Future City Planning

This project will also be used as the basis for future city planning and research, Peacock says.

One example of what could be included in the report is a description of the

edible plants, herbs and other vegetation in the city.

"A good number of the plants people don't usually think of as edible are actually quite good for you," Peacock says. "Many of the local herbs make excellent spices, or go great as teas."

The project, which received $5,500 from government sources, will also be used for future planning and research by city hall, and much of the work will be used in displays at local schools and other cultural centres.

"Most of us need to me made more aware of our environment, and projects such as this, are a good start," Peacock says. "With the guides these students are writing, people will have the opportunity to learn an appreciation for natural history by actually seeing that history."

- DOUGLAS COLLEGE NEWS SERVICES

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Taking a first look at the plant and animal life in the Royal City are three Douglas College biology students, Joel Hagen, Rhonda Zimmerman and Dana Anderson, at an open area to the north of the Queensborough Bridge. With the help of another student, Cynthia Ashikian, the group will be preparing a booklet and slide show on the interesting sites of natural history in New Westminster.