Bert 2

Bert Miller 2 Earl Plato
I came across this 1980’s article in the Fort Erie Niagara Falls Review by me and want to continue on remembering our peninsula naturalist, Bert Miller.
The late Bert Miller was member of at least two nature clubs in the 1960’s - Niagara Falls Nature Cub and Niagara Peninsula Field Naturalists in St. Catharines. Both clubs are still very active in 2006. In 1968 Frank Kingdon of St, Catharines met Bert and his wife, Annie, at a Peninsula Field Naturalist Club meeting. I interviewed Frank twenty-one years after Bert had passed away. Here is part of my interview. Frank said that Bert Miller loved to lead hikes for Niagara Falls Club members down the Niagara gorge and whirlpool areas. Back then he reminded me that Bert had just turned 80 years. Writer’s note: Amazing stamina. Frank continued and said on these gorge trips that we club members had to move along to keep up with him when he moved from one site to another. In previous writings I portrayed Bert as one of “God’s athletes.” As an octogenarian he was in excellent shape. Frank Kingdon remembered very clearly one particular gorge trip. “ One day we were coming back up from a whirlpool nature hike. Bert and the members met a cute little girl. She had a bouquet of flowers in her hand. Bert stared at her and then uncharacteristically he began to scold the girl. She had clutched in her hand at least ten harebell flowers. (Note: a rare plant with delicate blue flowers). Frank said that Bert pointed out how special these flowers were and that they should be left for others to enjoy too. He then apologized to the little girl for his outburst but gently and firmly reminded her to be considerate of those who would follow. According to Frank this was one of Bert’s consistent themes: “Remember that others will follow your steps so leave the area untouched as you came.” He said that Bert Miller was a true conservationist, a true preserver of nature.” Thanks for the memories, Frank.
Writer’s note: Bert preserved over 3,000 pressed plant leaves and specimens for McMaster University Botanical Section and Buffalo Museum of Science. A true preserver.