by Samantha

I am corresponding with you both to express our appreciation for the wonderfully informative presentation by David Pfeffer in early December, and to deliver student artwork depicting the peregrine falcon in its native habitat.

With respect to the presentation, we were fortunate to have Mrs. Patti Hodgson, the local Canada Trust Branch Manager in Strathroy attend the session.  She acknowledged that it was the first time she had witnessed the workshop, although she had been a member of the Friends of the Environment Foundation Adjudication Panel that approved the proposal.  Her reaction, not unlike my own, was that David's presentation was a stellar performance.  Clearly he communicated his message not only about the extinction of endangered species and how they can be brought back, but also how we must conserve and protect a a fragile environment that is very delicately held in balance.

The local flavour of recent news stories highlighting the nesting of peregrines high up on the tall buildings in Toronto, Hamilton, and London added a sense of immediacy and heightened interest for our students.  When the time came for displaying the falcon there was an impressive display of 'screeching' followed by a more placid interval when the bird seemed more comfortable in his surroundings. Students had many questions to ask of David and he commented frequently on their sophisticated responses to his questions.  I can only state that when the fifty minute presentation ended, everyone was disappointed that it could not go on longer because we all had sat in wrapped attention as we learned so much about this high speed predatory flyer.

On behalf of the St. Vincent de Paul students in grades four, six, and seven and our staff I want to express our sincere appreciation to you, David, and Canada Trust's Friends of the Environment Foundation for a remarkable and enlightening presentation.  A return visit would be welcome at any time!

Respectfully yours,

Peter R. Valiquet
Principal