 |
After a harsh winter and two hurricanes last summer, it is a surprise that anything is still standing.
By the end of March, we had completed the following:
Planted over 500 native and endemic plants, introduced almost 250 native fish, observed over 40 species of birds, over 120 volunteers helped at Eve’s Pond.
Although things are looking up, it is clear that this will take longer than planned, and patience is needed. Eve’s Pond will not be opening to the public this year as initially planned; we want to give the Nature Reserve more time to flourish and look its very best before allowing the community to take in its natural beauty.
Stay tuned for more Eve's Pond Updates.
|
|
|
|
Volunteers at Sherwin Nature Reserve |
We are grateful for our dedicated volunteers who have been making steady headway at clearing up damage from the summer's hurricanes, removing juvenile Chinese fan palms that have inundated the area and litter that is an awful eyesore. Litter and illegal dumping are a severe problem across many, if not most, of Bermuda's open spaces.
In our weekend cleanups, we came across bottles, bike parts, car rims and even an old washing machine. It would be easy to get disheartened, but instead we are energised by the steadfast nature of our volunteers' who understand that this island is for everyone and forever.
Volunteering with the Bermuda National Trust brings life to those words, and we encourage you to come and be a part of the giving. Bermuda needs you.
|
|
|
|
Concerns about Agricultural land and food security in Bermuda have again come to the fore, finding their way onto the radio waves. The Bermuda National Trust's conservation officer Myles Darrell joined David Lopes to talk about these concerns and what we are doing to combat them.
Our focus is to provide opportunities and, where possible, to get our community growing. We have supported market gardeners, dairymen, and individuals trying their hand at growing for themselves in our community garden. We provide education to assist newcomers to the field. We are also advocating for preserving agriculture and all it has to offer our community because it is not all about food. For BNT, it is about providing cultural ecosystem services (recreation, experiences, spiritual sustenance, a sense of place etc.) and fostering healing and transformation for our community.
|
|
|
|
Native to Bermuda and America's northeast is Poison Ivy Toxicodendron radicans. Poison Ivy is extremely toxic, as indicated by its scientific name. All parts of the plant contain urushiol oil, an irritating oily sap that even persists when the plant has died. The oil can maintain its strength years after initial contact was made.
Around this time of the year, Poison Ivy is in its prime and can be found flourishing in various open spaces around the island and in many of the Bermuda National Trust's Nature Reserves such as Paget Marsh, Sherwin Nature Reserve, Smith's Island and more. The effects can be strong, so remember to use caution when enjoying the great outdoors.
Luckily this plant is easy to identify because its alternate, compound leaves all have three leaflets. The vines are often hairy, sending down aerial rootlets. The middle leaf has a longer stalk than the two lateral ones. Keep this saying in mind when outdoors "Leaflets of three, leave be".
In the chance that you do encounter poison ivy be sure to wash and rinse the area immediately. Cool baths, calamine lotion or placing a cool wet compress on the rash for 15 - 30 minutes a day will help ease some of the itchiness of a poison ivy rash and be sure to refrain from scratching!
|
|
|
|
Trust Treasures
During the Verdmont renovations, the team dug up some very interesting artefacts hidden away! Check out our more recent finds.
|
|
|
Chimney Finds
Part I, Verdmont
|
During January, the collection at Verdmont was packed away in preparation for electrical upgrades to the property. It was the perfect opportunity to explore the inside of the eight chimney stacks by hand. The exercise proved to be rather messy but very revealing and several curious objects were uncovered, one of which was this hinge (left). Unusually, Verdmont’s shutters are on the inside of the windows. We believe we have discovered one of the original hinges, dating to the mid 1700s, which differs markedly in style to the ones in place today (right). When the Bermuda Historical Monuments Trust took over the property in the 1960s, much repair work needed to be done and in part ‘best guesses’ were necessary. What a shame they didn’t look up the chimney! |
|
|
|
Chimney Finds
Part II, Verdmont
|
The size of the dining room fireplace at Verdmont has remained largely unaltered since the property was built in the early 1700s. It is from here that the enslaved women of the house would have heated food and served it to their owners. This fireplace has also been keeping a remarkable secret, one which the Trust had no record or knowledge of until last month. The chimney has a hiding hole. Located 12 inches up from the front of the stack, is a roughly hewn four-inch square and has a depth of approximately nine inches. Most disappointingly, nothing was found inside apart from a few pieces of rubble, which presumably were there to keep any contents protected from heat. It will forever remain a mystery as to who created it, who used it and what it may have contained.
|
|
|
|
Built Heritage: Skittle Alley, Dockyard |
|
This post is part of a series of architectural articles by the Bermuda National Trust that highlight some of Bermuda's endangered historic buildings.
by Linda Abend and Margie Lloyd
|
Skittle Alley is a Grade 2 Listed Building yet very few of us know of its existence. It is located on a small island and is connected to the mainland by a footbridge leading from the former residence of the Captain-in-Charge, the most senior officer at the Dockyard. The captain’s residence, known as The Cottage, was built in 1827 for the Naval Storekeeper who in 1837 became the Dockyard Superintendent. When Joseph Balingall retired in 1857 this post was abolished and Captain Frederick Hutton became the first Captain-in-Charge of HM Dockyard.
Skittle Alley was built as the bowling alley for Captain John Moresby RN who arrived in April 1878. It was during Moresby’s tenure that the Sailors’ Home, now demolished, was built. It too would boast of a bowling alley. Although Captain Moresby spent only three years in Bermuda, that he was highly respected is clear from the fact that his name survives to this day with Moresby House, built in 1899 for the Officer-in-Charge of Works, and Moresby Plain, the naval recreation and parade ground, today used by the public for large events.
|
|
The Skittle Alley in 2015 |
|
The bridge and island in 2020 |
|
Postcard courtesy of the National Museum of Bermuda |
|
Volunteer Day at Gilbert Nature Reserve
Saturday, April 24th, 2021
9:00 am - 12:00 noon
|
|
Join us on Saturday, April 24th, from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon for a volunteer day at Gilbert Nature Reserve with BNT Conservation Officer Myles Darrell. Help clear up the trail, remove invasive species from the area and plant trees!
Please bring gloves, proper footwear, sunscreen, water bottles and light tools (not mandatory).
Following Covid-19 protocol, volunteers must wear masks and observe social distancing. Registration is mandatory and limited to 10 people.
|
|
|
Family activities for outdoor adventures |
|
The Bermuda National Trust cares for many buildings in the historic town of St. George's and looks after the most fabulous nature reserves throughout the island.
Take our scavenger hunt as you stroll through St. George's or hike Bermuda's trails. Learn about the places we care for in a fun and exciting way.
Be sure share all of your findings with us by scanning the QR code provided on each Scavenger Hunt Activity sheet or click here.
|
|
|
Annual Awards Nominations 2021
We are now accepting nominations for the Bermuda National Trust Annual Awards!
|
|
Bermuda National Trust Annual Awards are presented to recognise individuals, organisations, groups and schools which have worked for the benefit of Bermuda and its people, to preserve places of beauty or historical interest, buildings, artefacts, lands and animal and plant life, and to promote their appreciation.
Please click the link below to download the nomination form, once completed please email to palmetto@bnt.bm.
Deadline: Friday, May 28th, 2021
|
|
Volunteer Spotlight: Be Solar at Paget Marsh |
|
Thank you to the awesome team at Be Solar for coming out to Paget Marsh this Month. We are currently collaborating on a reforesting project with Be Solar and green rock. This project will help reduce carbon emissions in Bermuda and create a place for the community to enjoy nature. So far we have seen great progress with dozens of trees planted! |
|
We were saddened to learn of the death of Life Member: Edythe Gilbert |
|
Edythe was a honorary life member and a dedicated volunteer at the Trust. She volunteered at the front desk at Waterville and was the Bake Sale Chair for the Plant & Bake sale for many years until handing it over to Beryl Bartlett, the current Bake Sale Chair.
“She was a lot of fun and very interesting.”
|
|
|
Stay updated on Trust News.
Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
