Trunk Island

Living Classroom & Conservation Sanctuary

At seven acres, Trunk Island is the largest island in Harrington Sound and one of Bermuda’s hidden gems. Surrounded by seagrass beds, rocky coastlines, and palmetto forest, it is both a natural sanctuary and a hub for education. Since 2006, the Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) has been restoring Trunk Island and transforming it into a “Living Classroom” where students, volunteers, and researchers can learn from nature firsthand.

A Natural Treasure with a Rich History

Once covered in Bermuda cedar, Trunk Island was heavily cleared in the 1600s for farming and shipbuilding. Over the centuries, its habitats were degraded, leaving behind only the “trunks” of trees, perhaps the origin of its name. Today, BZS is bringing the island back to life, protecting it for future generations while honouring its deep cultural and ecological roots.

Conservation in Action

BZS is committed to restoring Trunk Island into a thriving nature reserve.

This work includes:

Removing invasive species like casuarinas and rats.

Reintroducing native and endemic plants and animals, including cedar, olivewood, skinks, longtails, and Bermuda land snails.

Creating mangrove habitats that protect the shoreline, provide nursery grounds for reef fish, and capture carbon from the atmosphere.

Establishing one of Bermuda’s largest micro forests, with more than 85 species of native and endemic trees to boost biodiversity and combat climate change.

These conservation efforts not only protect wildlife but also help
build resilience against global threats like erosion and climate change.

Trunk Island Plant List

Trees

Bermuda Cedar
Bermuda Olivewood
Bermuda Palmetto
Mulberry
Southern Hackberry
Yellowwood

Groundcovers, Grasses
& Herbaceous Plants

Bay Bean
Bermuda Sedge
Seaside Morning Glory
Turnera

Wetland

Black Mangrove
Red Mangrove

Shrubs

Box Briar
Coffee Shrub
Seven Year Apple
Dog Bush
Forestiera
Green Buttonwood
Jamaican Dogwood
Lamark’s Trema
Rhacoma
St. Andrew’s Cross
Turk’s Berry
Wax Myrtle
White Stopper

Community Involvement

Trunk Island’s transformation is possible thanks to volunteers, donors, and community partners. From Corporate Days of Giving to our dedicated team of Weekend Warriors, hundreds of helping hands contribute to conservation, restoration, and maintenance projects on the island.

The Living Classroom

Trunk Island is more than just a place, it’s a living symbol of Bermuda’s natural heritage, a classroom without walls, and a model for how conservation and education can work hand in hand. Here, Bermuda’s students step outside of the traditional classroom and into a space where learning comes alive. Each year, thousands of young people visit the island through school programs, camps, and field trips. Guided by our educators, they explore forests, mangroves, tide pools, and coastal habitats to see firsthand how Bermuda’s ecosystems work.

Activities might include:

Exploring how human choices affect coral reefs and climate change

Measuring and planting native trees as part of habitat restoration

Studying the importance of mangroves in protecting our coastline

Investigating marine life in the shallows of Harrington Sound

The Living Classroom helps students connect science to the real world, encouraging curiosity, teamwork, and problem-solving. By experiencing nature up close, children not only learn about biodiversity but also develop a deeper sense of responsibility for protecting our island. For many students, Trunk Island is their first chance to snorkel, plant a tree, or hold a skink, experiences that spark lifelong interest in conservation and science.

Contact Us

Trunk Island Conservation

To learn about the conservation efforts taking place on Trunk Island contact the Trunk Island Manager at trunkis.callista@bzs.bm

Volunteer

Want to be part of the change and help restore Trunk Island? Become a volunteer and join the effort. Contact volunteer@bzs.bm to learn more!

Become a Partner

If you would like to become a partner in supporting conservation on Trunk Island, please contact development@bzs.bm.

Conservation Education

To learn more about Trunk Island, our Living Classroom, and how it supports educational programmes, please contact edadmin@bzs.bm.