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plans for the area, but the State Institute for Protec- tion of Historical Monuments and Nature Conservation is working to preserve such ornithologically signifi- cant areas through management and special works, which would fit in with the control of floods and the hydrological system in general.

The WWF aid will go towards the establishment of a research station, with boats, observation towers, and physical management facilities such as dykes, pumping stations, channel dredging, and construction of islands.

The area adjoins the Marchauen/Marchegg Reserve, which was opened by World Wildlife's President, the Prince of The Netherlands, in 1970.* Together they form part of a vital chain of sanctuaries for birds to breed and live in Central Europe.

PETER F. R. JACKSON, Director of Information, World Wildlife Fund, 1110 Morges, Switzerland.

* See the account by our Consulting Editor Dr Luc Hoffmann published in Biological Conservation, Vol. 3, No. 1, pp. 61-2, October 1970.--Ed.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE'S ENVIRONMENT CAMPAIGN

A scheme to associate young people more closely with the Council of Europe's environment campaign was launched very recently in Paris by Mr Robert Poujade, the French Minister for the Environment.

Thanks to the efforts of the 'Touring Club de France', young people will be able to become 'Young Nature Conservation Volunteers' and obtain a special membership card issued by the 'Alliance Inter- nationale de Tourisme'. The card is azure blue and bears the Council of Europe environment symbol of a tree surrounded by 12 gold stars. At the launching ceremony on 9 December 1971 the first such Cards were presented by the French Minister for the Environ- ment to 30 schoolchildren, members of youth organi- zations, etc., in the presence of the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe, the President of the TCF, and other dignitaries.

Holders of the card pledge themselves to protect Nature and to obey the following ten rules:

1. To respect plants and wild flowers, crops, the countryside, and natural beauty spots.

2. To respect forests and to observe fire precautions meticulously.

3. To be a friend of birds and protect them.

Biological

4.

Conservation

To recognise the right of wild animals to live, and to protect disappearing species.

5. Not to contaminate springs, rivers, lakes, or the seaside.

6. Not to scatter refuse around, but to palticipate in cleaning-up operations.

7. Not to disturb the silence of Nature. 8. To pay particular attention to natural reserves,

and to historical and archaeological sites. 9. To enlighten those who are acting out of ignorance

or error. 10. To support actively all initiatives to protect the

environment.

The cards are delivered free at the regional head- quarters and offices of clubs affiliated to the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme. A great many European Touring Clubs, including those of Eastern Europe, will thus be associated with the Young Nature Con- servation Volunteers campaign. The Belgian and Italian touring clubs have already begun issuing such cards and those of Spain and Poland have so far given undertakings to follow suit.

The card is in keeping with all spiritual, moral, and social, creeds and does not require membership of any club or organization. Holders of the card will be looked upon as volunteers for the preservation of the natural environment and will take part in European campaigns and action.

This operation to mobilise young people for the protection of Nature has been organized in connection with the permanent Council of Europe campaign, which began in 1970 with the proclamation of Euro- pean Conservation Year and was confirmed in a Declaration of 11 December 1970 by the Committee of Ministers for Foreign Affairs. The aim is to help to get a large-scale movement of public opinion under way in favour of the anti-pollution campaign, the conservation of sites, and the protection of animal and plant life.

COUNCIL OF EUROPE, Maison de l'Europe, 67 Strasbourg, France.

L'AIDE DU FONDS MONDIAL POUR LA NATURE

POUR LA SAUVEGARDE DE LA CAMARGUE, FRANCE

Le Fonds Mondial pour la Nature 'World Wildlife Fund' a pr6sent6 un cheque d'un million de francs nouveaux au Gouvernement frangais, en pr6sence du Pr6sident Pompidou, afin de contribuer & l'achat de terrains pour la r6serve naturelle de la Camargue l'embouchure du Rh6ne. Le cheque 6tait remis par les