We admit it, in fact we are proud of it -- we are “Nature Nerds” at the Nature Conservancy of Canada(NCC). What does that mean, exactly? For one, we are obsessed with the awesome habitat, plants and animals that have right here at home! We get downright fired up about the cutting edge science that drives all of our conservation work! Is it a date? [Don’t worry about what your friends think. Geek Chic is in] We would love to tell you more about ourselves, and get to know you better, too. About Conservation Conversations: Conversations are the best way to get to know somebody, and we want you to get to know us. Over the next couple of years we plan to hold a series of speaker sessions that will allow us to get acquainted. Topics we will cover include important science findings that affect PEI’s future, what it’s like to work in conservation, the people who protect PEI, and more. The Nature Conservancy of Canada engages individuals, communities, groups, businesses and foundations in conversations that save important land, plants and animals for future generations. We have been helping to protect P.E.I.’s ecologically important [special and culturally significant] places since 1978. We are so excited to talk with you about our history and the future of conservation in PEI. Everyone Welcome! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= About the speakers: Julie Vasseur is the program manager for the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) in Prince Edward Island. A wildlife conservation technician and biologist, she is passionate about conservation, natural history and the outdoors. Margo Morrison is the manager of conservation science with the Nature Conservancy of Canada's (NCC's) Atlantic Region. A registered forester, she manages the development of strategic landscape conservation plans that identify where NCC should work, the species and habitats NCC needs to protect, their health and the threats to them.

Join the PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada (PEI ANC) for an information session on its services for international students enrolled in university and college programs in PEI. Settlement Worker Rosalie Blanchard will present the information and answer questions. Topics include: how to register with PEI ANC and access its services study permits letters of permission to work off campus permanent residency employment services community inclusion initiatives, and more Time: Friday, November 21, 3:00 - 5:00pm Place: UPEI, 550 University Ave., Kelley Building, room 210 (UPEI Campus Map) For more information please contact Rosalie Blanchard at 902-628-6009 ext 207 or email: rosalie@peianc.com

All UPEI staff, faculty, and students are invited to attend the annual international potluck organized by the Society of International Students (SIS). The potluck will feature food, music, and dance from near and far. Please bring a dish for the sharing table, and celebrate the end of the semester with us. Contact Erica Stanley at estanley@upei.ca or (902)566-0443 for more information and for proper food handling procedures.

The Department of Pathology & Microbiology at the Atlantic Veterinary College invites the campus community to attend a seminar given by Dr. Cora Gilroy from The Atlantic Veterinary College on Friday, November 28, 2014 at 10:30 am Dr. Gilroy is interviewing for a tenure-track faculty position in clinical pathology and is presenting her Seminar titled " Teaching and Diagnostics: Twists in the Road" in Robertson Library, Room RL208. Everyone is welcome to attend.

Do you want to do some early Christmas shopping? Are you looking for a way to support UPEI students? If so, drop by the AVC Winter Craft Fair on Thursday, November 20, from 12:00-2:00pm in The McCain Foundation Learning Commons, AVC. Don't miss it!

Are you interested in completing your Bachelor of Education in 12 months? Drop in to the W. A. Murphy Student Centre on Monday, November 24, from 11:00 am-3:00 pm to hear about UPEI's top-notch BEd program and popular BEd specializations. Come and chat with our faculty and staff - you may even win a prize!

Enjoy a Christmas skate and some hot chocolate on Wednesday, November 26 between 11:30 am-1:30 pm. The Healthy Campus Committee will be providing the skate and hot chocolate for all UPEI students and employees for FREE!

The Office of the President invites UPEI students to enjoy a festive study break on Wednesday, December 3 from 12:30 to 2:00 pm, in the lobby of the W.A. Murphy Student Centre. There will be free hot cocoa, coffee, and cookies along with the sounds of UPEI music students -- all to help ease the stress of studying and exams, and to celebrate the holiday season. All students are welcome!

Mother Country by Deirdre Kessler, published by Oberon Press, will be launched on Saturday afternoon, December 6, from 2:30-3:30 pm, at the Confederation Centre Public Library, Charlottetown. UPEI staff member, Deirdre Kessler is a poet (Afternoon Horses, Subtracting by Seventeen, Rearranging the Sky and author of sixteen books for young people, including recently published Born! A foal, five kittens, and Confederation (Comment Naquirent: un poulain, cinq chatons, et la Conféderation), and Canadian Children’s Book Centre Our Choice Award-winning Lobster in My Pocket and Brupp Rides Again. As well, she has published a number of nonfiction and educational texts, including the P.E.I. grade six social studies text, Exploring the Island (L’île-du-Prince-Édouard: une histoire à découvrir). She teaches children’s literature, creative writing, and the course on L.M. Montgomery with the Department of English of the University of Prince Edward Island. She is recipient of UPEI’s 2010 Award for Teaching Excellence by a Sessional Lecturer. Currently she is working on an adult novel, Darwin’s Hornpipe, and a new collection of poetry.

The UPEI Jazz Ensemble presents its annual fall concert on Thursday, November 27 at 7:30 pm in the Dr. Steel Recital Hall. The Jazz Ensemble will be joined by singers from Sung Ha Shin- Bouey’s vocal studio and will be featured on “Conga” by Sheila E and Stevie Wonders hit “You are the Sunshine of my Life.” Featured horn soloists will include saxophonist Lucas MacPhail performing Count Basie’s “Lonely Street” and trumpeter Robyn Verhoeven with a solo feature on “Monday’s Child” by Lennie Niehaus. Other selections will include a big band version of “I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Quincy Jones and the Buddy Rich version of “Mercy, Mercy, Mercy.” The Jazz Ensemble is under the direction of David Shephard. Tickets are $10 for Adults & Seniors and $5 for Students and are available at the door, online at www.upeirecitals8.bpt.me or in advance by calling 566‐0507.