The Bermuda Audubon Society was the first conservation organisation on the island incorporated specifically to acquire land for nature reserves. This is the only way to guarantee that valuable open spaces and habitats are protected from development. Since 1963 the Society has acquired 20 nature reserves totalling about 77 acres, by purchase, gift, bequest and lease. Only the Government and Bermuda National Trust hold more land in Bermuda.
Since 1972 the Society has undertaken major restoration on some of these reserves, including the rehabilitation of several marshlands and ponds which had been filled as garbage dump sites in the early part of the 20th century. Woodland management through culling of invasive species and planting of natives and endemics is ongoing in many reserves.
In 2004 the Society collaborated with the Bermuda National Trust to form the Buy Back Bermuda Campaign, which raises money to buy precious remaining open space to save it from development for the enjoyment of everyone, forever. To date, four parcels of land have been saved in perpetuity through this effort: Somerset Long Bay East, Vesey Reserve, Eve’s Pond Nature Reserve and a new 10-acre property at High Point in Southampton was purchased in 2022. A new fundraising campaign is now active to raise money to turn this into a public nature reserve and create a long-term maintenance fund for all the BBB reserves. Click here to donate. Future generations will be indebted to you for your foresight and generosity.
