The Bermuda Zoological Society (BZS) has invested in 2.41 acres of property on Trunk Island, which provides the potential for unique and exciting educational and conservation programmes. The property includes a cottage, dock, a rare palmetto forest, and a beach area. Easily accessible from BAMZ, Trunk Island offers an extraordinary opportunity to unplug students and immerse them in nature.

 

The island features a diversity of marine and terrestrial habitats, and offers many exciting ways to explore, touch, and experience nature including:

• FOREST – including an early palmetto forest estimated to be 200 years old
• SANDY COAST
• ROCKY COAST
• SEA GRASS BEDS
• SHELTERED BAYS
• BIO-EROSIONAL NOTCH – an ecosystem unique to Harrington Sound

Creating programmes that meet the needs of the whole child has long been the key component of the educational programmes offered by the BZS at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum & Zoo. BZS Education Officer, Dr. Jamie Bacon states, “We believe that with so many social and environmental challenges impacting our Island, providing a place for students to learn in a natural island setting can contribute to a young person’s knowledge and confidence, and can help them to develop a vision of their own future and that of Bermuda. The magic of experiential learning is motivational for students who might otherwise be disinterested in a normal classroom setting; they prefer a hands-on approach and respond well to material and an environment that makes a personal connection. Trunk Island will only enhance our Schools Programme, which is available free to all students from preschool through senior school.”

The potential for connecting Bermuda’s youth to nature on Trunk Island is exceptional:
•    IMMERSION IN MARINE AND TERRESTRIAL HABITATS
•    AQUA CAMP EXPLORER DAY AND RESIDENTIAL CLASSES
•    SUMMER PROGRAMMES
•    A YEAR-ROUND FIELD STATION FOR CLASSES ON HABITATS AND FOR RESTORATIVE WORK
•    A LOCATION FOR SUMMER CAMPS
•    A HUB FOR CONSERVATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
•    WEEKEND WILD ENCOUNTERS
•    SNORKELING, KAYAKING AND SAILING

Over the next five years, BZS will be raising $5 million to create a “Living Classroom” for public and private school students of Bermuda, and to implement a Conservation Management Plan to restore the island and its diverse range of habitats as was done with Nonsuch Island.  This campaign will also include funds to provide financial support for the existing Schools Education programme and build Endowments to produce enough operating income to sustain programmes and the island’s infrastructure.

With the recent decision by the Bermuda Zoological Society to purchase the land holding on Trunk island and its pre-existing one third ownership of the rest of the island together with the in-principle support of the Gardner family which owns the other two thirds interest, the Society is now in a position to take advantage of Trunk Island’s convenient proximity to BAMZ and to realize its potential as an Educational Outreach and Conservation training centre.
I was alerted to the extraordinary potential of Trunk Island for this purpose when I was invited by BZS to carry out a comprehensive biological survey with that purpose in mind. Trunk Island has great potential for restoration as another living museum nature reserve along the lines of Nonsuch Island by virtue of its exceptional isolation from mainland Bermuda and its manageable size.
– Dr. David Wingate OBE
Ornithologist, Naturalist, Conservationist
Bermuda Government Conservation Officer (retired)