Recent News
Sound swim raises $6,000Monday, May 05, 2014
Last year’s Round-the-Sound Swim — believed to be one of the largest open swim events in the world — has raised $6,000.
Round-the-Sound Raises $6000 For Charity
Monday, May 05, 2014
The Annual Round-the-Sound Charity Swim blends incredible natural beauty with the opportunity to raise funds for local charities.
Students raise $1,000 for shark project
Thursday, May 01, 2014
A group of young students who collected more than $1,000 for shark research will name the next animals tagged by the Bermuda Shark Project.
BZS’s mission to protect Bermuda’s reefs
Thursday, May 01, 2014
Protecting Bermuda’s marine environment has long been a priority for the Bermuda Zoological Society. Last year, with the support of Hiscox, they launched Reef Watch, an event where members of the community were invited to become Citizen Scientists and participate in an Island-wide effort to help monitor the health of Bermuda’s reef systems.
Catlin Marine Grant to help fund environmental projects
Friday, April 25, 2014
Three local environmental projects will be partially funded by the newly-launched Catlin Marine Grant.
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Latest News
All the latest updates and news from the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, and Zoo, one of Bermuda's leading visitor attractions!
Simon Jones
Published Oct 23, 2015 at 8:00 am (Updated Oct 23, 2015 at 2:49 am)
Trunk Island conservation
Volunteers have given up nearly 2,000 hours of their time to help transform Trunk Island into a living classroom for schoolchildren.
The Bermuda Zoological Society purchased a 2.4-acre lot on the pristine islet in Harrington Sound at the beginning of the year and three months ago embarked on a major conservation project under the watchful eye of David Wingate. The initiative has involved tackling invasives species and ensuring the island’s natural fauna and flora is restored and preserved to help youngsters to better understand Bermuda’s unique ecology.
This week Ian Walker, principal curator of the Bermuda Aquarium Museum and Zoo, thanked the two principal sponsors; Butterfield & Vallis and Axis, for their invaluable financial support for the scheme that has already seen schoolchildren take part in four one-day camps and a weeklong residential camp on Trunk Island.
Hard work: the Trunk Island Conservation project
“Knowing that BZS is not only committed to conserving Bermuda’s natural environment, but to also educating future generations on the importance of preserving their home was a major factor when we decided to donate to the campaign,” said Albert Benchimol, CEO of Axis.
“We are pleased that the island will be transformed into a sanctuary for Bermuda’s wildlife, similar to Nonsuch Island, and in doing so create a permanent classroom for Bermuda’s future environmentalists.” Weekend Warrior volunteers have dedicated 520 hours on the island this year, while corporate “giving days” have seen nine companies send 250 employees to Trunk Island and complete 1,335 hours work.
Jim Butterfield, CEO of Butterfield & Vallis added: “Being able to give students the opportunity to physically engage in nature and discover the importance of our fragile environment is imperative to Bermuda’s ecological future.”
The island, in Harrington Sound, is home to the only Palmetto Palm forest in Bermuda outside of Paget Marsh, and its isolation makes it the ideal venue for conservation efforts.
Trunk Island conservation?
BZS plans to use the island to expand its school educational programme and transform the old caretaker’s cottage — one of two properties on Trunk Island — into a classroom.
Dr Wingate said: “The Weekend Warrior programme is vital to ensuring the eradication of invasive species.
“Without the dedication and support of volunteers we would find it very difficult to reach our ultimate goal of returning the island to its native and endemic environment.”
BZS has been able to raise just over $3 million, and 50 per cent of its target, through a series of fundraising efforts.
To find out more about the volunteer programme contact Joanne Chisnall on 293-2727 extension 2130 or e-mail volunteers.bzs@gov.bm