Projects
70 for 70
The Queen’s Green Canopy Campaign Oct 2021 to Oct 2022
70 for 70 to celebrate QEII’s 70-year reign
Initial Project:
To support the Campaign to plant trees throughout the Commonwealth and which would also promote the importance of trees, open spaces, and raise awareness of climate change.
The BBS thought this was well worth supporting and plan to plant 70 trees in various parks and reserves throughout Bermuda. Walsingham Trust, the site chosen in the initial campaign to be Bermuda’s representative area for the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy will be one of the first areas to be planted along with Government House. Planting to be done by volunteers, Parks staff where applicable.
The website for the Queen’s Commonwealth Canopy programme, of which Walsingham Trust is a part, is: https://queenscommonwealthcanopy.org/ . The website for the upcoming Queens’ Green Canopy campaign is: https://queensgreencanopy.org/
Source of trees:
Donations from BBS members, Tulo Valley Government nursery and other plant nurseries; finally purchasing – funds permitting.
Timeline:
2021 BBS members growing trees in preparation for planting. Seedlings were obtained from Nonsuch Island and are being raised by volunteers.
2021 Oct – Dec Proposed opening event(s) with planting at Government House in November 2021
2022 Jan – April Continue planting at Walsingham , Bermuda Botanical Garden, Eve’s Pond, possibly Bermuda Botanical Gardens and Bermuda College
Oct – Dec Any additional planting of remaining trees
BBS was very grateful to receive financial assistance from The Garden Club of Bermuda to assist with this project.
70 for 70 Project Update
Following unexpected delays in sourcing seedlings from Nonsuch Island, the Walsingham planting will take place in 2022.
However, owing to the very enthusiastic support by Government House this part of the project is well underway. A small area of invasives has been cleared to make way for approximately 70 native or endemic trees including the iconic Bermuda Cedar, Juniperus bermudiana and Bermuda Palmetto, Sabal bermudana along with Yellow Wood, Zanthoxylum flavum, Turkey Berry Callicarpa americana, Jamaica Dogwood, Dodonaea viscosa, Mulberry, Morus nigra and White Stopper, Eugenis axillaris.
The area is being cleared by Parks Staff, holes and planting of trees will be taking place on 4th November and 6th November.
Endemic and Native Garden at BBG
Throughout the year, BBS Taskforce has been busy working in the Endemic and Native flower bed, in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens. This can be found in front of the Masterworks Museum, and has an informational sign in the bed to illustrate and explain the species planted there. It has been rewarding to see many of these plants flowering over the past few months, most recently the Jamaica Dogwood, Bermudiana and Turkey Berry.
Tree Tales
Tree Tales update: Tree Tales 2
After the success of Tree Tale 1, the second series of Tree Tales 2 was launched, which included a collection of nine featured trees. Each of the featured trees has a sign which includes interesting information about the tree, including fun facts and activities for children. This can be found on the Camden South Lawn (near the Kapok tree area), and we encourage all to stop by and enjoy the tree tales.
Objectives
- To offer an activity in the Botanical Gardens for all ages with special focus on children 4 – 12 yrs
- To encourage engagement, interest and respect for Botanical Gardens.
- To increase awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of trees.
- To provide an educational outside activity for preschool and school-age children, for families, visitors, and student/class visits to Botanical Gardens.
Description
Bermuda Botanical Society will provide informational posters and activities for 10 different species of tree located in a defined area of the park. Posters will be weather-proofed and attractive, complimentary to the style of official graphics in the park. Each poster will be attached to its tree by means of a clear plastic line. Hanging posters closely to the tree trunk will not cause any harm to the tree and should be durable with regard to wind and rain.
Visitors to the park can learn more about each tree from the photos and information on the poster. They are encouraged to try various activities related to the tree. E.g. do a drawing, measure circumference using outstretched arms, do further research at home or school to answer particular questions, etc.
Answers to questions and photos of crafts or drawings, etc. can be submitted to BBS at bdabotanicalsociety@gmail.com. All legitimate entries will be given a certificate, 1 and year membership in BBS. Top submissions will be published in the quarterly BBS newsletter. Winners and other aspects of the activity may be published in the local media
Tree Tales Series One
The posters below are the first in a series highlighting trees in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens. Informative and attractive, each has an activity for children, most of which can be completed even if you are unable to visit the Gardens.