Message from the Executive Director

This year’s Christmas Walkabout in St George’s, under the light of a full moon, was as delightful as ever, with a wonderfully cheerful and festive atmosphere. It is extraordinary that the small BNT team is able to pull off the largest street party in Bermuda each year with such success!

It was a fabulous end to a very good year for the Trust, with significant positive impact for Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage. Thank you to all our members, volunteers and donors for your support, which allows us to achieve so much together.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a happy 2026!

Please note BNT offices will close on Tuesday, 23 December at 4:00 pm and re open on Monday 5 January, 2026.

Karen Border

Executive Director

Pardon our Progress

We’re pleased to share that construction is now underway on exciting new improvements at Waterville. The parking lot will soon feature a pergola with a 14kW solar photovoltaic panel system, supporting our head office’s progress toward carbon-zero operations.

This project is made possible through the generosity of a private donor, along with sponsorship from the Fidelis Partnership and the Conduit Foundation.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work toward a more sustainable future.

Architectural Heritage - Second Edition

The much anticipated second edition of the St George’s volume of the Architectural Heritage series has been delayed in shipping and will be available in January. However, we are taking pre-orders and providing gift vouchers for the volume for $55.

Stop into the Pop-Up Shop at Waterville to pre-order the book and to receive a gift voucher. We will be in touch once the book is available for pick up. For more information email palmetto@bnt.bm.

The book has been revised and updated by Dr Michael Jarvis, who wrote the original volume 27 years ago.

Holiday Pop-Up Shop at Waterville

Avoid the madness of shopping in Hamilton and discover an incredible selection of locally made treasures—you’re sure to find something for everyone on your list. Choose from Christmas cards and ornaments, jewellery, scarves, ceramics, candles, soaps, tea towels, children’s books, puzzles, stationery, Bermuda honey, locally made jams, chutneys and spices and more fantastic stocking stuffers.

Not sure what to give someone who has everything? Give the gift of membership or make a donation in their name—a meaningful gesture that makes a difference.

The Holiday Pop-Up Shop is open Monday–Saturday until Tuesday, December 23.

For more information, visit bnt.bm.

Natural Heritage Updates

Myles Darrell, Head of Natural Heritage

Celebrating Invertebrates with Danni Sherwood

We were thrilled to welcome invertebrate specialist Danni Sherwood to Bermuda as part of the Supporting Atlantic Territories Invertebrate Conservation project. From a packed lecture at Waterville to hands-on fieldwork and training workshops, Danni filled the island with excitement for Bermuda’s smallest — yet vital — creatures. Her expertise is helping build capacity, strengthen biodiversity data and support long-term conservation across the UK Overseas Territories. This work is supported by a Darwin Initiative grant and carried out with our partners at DENR, Buglife, and UKOTCF.

Trees for Scores: 390 New Plants, 90 Youth Volunteers, One Incredible Day

On 22 November we partnered with BUEI and an extraordinary group of volunteers for a massive planting day across Spittal Pond, Sherwin Nature Reserve (South) and High Point Nature Reserve.

Inspired by the Trees for Goals movement started by Kenyan youth environmental leader Lesein Mutunkei (who joined us in person — see photo), we planted one native or endemic tree for every score so far this year in Bermuda’s football and cricket seasons. This BUEI-led initiative was sponsored by CatalinaRe, AXA XL, ConduitRe and The Loren’s Roots Foundation.

A Month of Momentum

This month has been a remarkable one across BNT’s nature reserves — a time of meaningful restoration, powerful partnerships and uplifting community energy. From school groups to corporate teams, international experts to local youth, so many hands have helped strengthen our island’s natural heritage.

Our thanks to teams from:

Mount Saint Agnes, who spent a day at Sherwin Nature Reserve helping to transform this site into a true sanctuary for Bermuda’s unique flora.
PwC, one of our most dedicated Adopt-a-Nature Reserve partners, who returned to Eve’s Pond to continue expanding biodiversity in this precious wetland.
Clarien, who have embarked on a new chapter of restoration work at Sherwin Nature Reserve (South) after three transformative years at Scaur Lodge Nature Reserve, during which we planted over 500 native and endemic plants together.
Appleby, who continued their dedicated work at Sherwin Nature Reserve for the fifth year.
Deloitte, who gave a Day of Giving at High Point Nature Reserve where they planted new natives, cleared invasive species, cleaned the historic Beak Ruin and helped open up the reserve for all to enjoy.
Saltus Duke of Edinburgh Group, who reopened a key trail at Paget Marsh following storms and overgrowth.
Robert Steinhoff, who continued with his long-term project to transition Palm and Morgan islands in Elys Harbour from invasives to natives and endemics.

Cultural Heritage Updates

Dr Charlotte Andrews, Head of Cultural Heritage

Cultural Heritage Countdown

As we count down the Twelve Days of Christmas, we give thanks for our colleagues, staff and volunteers who do so much for Bermuda’s cultural heritage at BNT all year long:

One Museums Manager, keeping our historic houses humming.

Two Verdmont interpreters, giving guided tours.

Three Property Team members, fixing, tending, caring.

Four Built Heritage Advisors, guiding and advising.

Five Heritage Team members, spanning natural and cultural heritage and heritage education.

Six Museums & Collections Committee members, stewarding stories and standards.

Seven RISE Advisors and co-curators, widening voices and views.

Eight cultural sector partners, supporting collaboration and shared impact.

Nine Archaeology Research Committee members, digging into the past.

Ten Historic Cemeteries vendors and volunteers, honouring lives and legacies.

Eleven World Heritage Site partners, protecting Outstanding Universal Value.

Twelve Globe and Verdmont volunteers, keeping our museum doors open.

With warm wishes for the festive season, and heartfelt appreciation for everyone listed above — and the many more who who support BNT’s cultural heritage work.

Heritage Education Updates

Anna Stevenson, Heritage Education Manager

It has been an incredibly busy year for heritage education as we delivered over 5,000 learning experiences to public and private students across our natural and cultural sites. We have partnered with the Department of Education on multiple occasions to deliver on-line whole year teaching. Also the St George’s Foundation, the Friends of St Peter’s Church and the Home School Network to provide out-of-class enrichment.

This month we worked with Saltus Grade 4 children who undertook a three-part learning session on early settlement, which saw them completing the shipwreck survivors challenge and meeting the first three governors. We also welcomed P2 students from Warwick Academy to Verdmont as part of their unit of study on the Victorians, and both P1 and P2 students from BHS, who learned about the way we used to live and play. We also worked with MSA travel and tourism students who were given a tour of Ferry Reach.

Next year we are introducing five exciting new holiday camps, starting with Roots and Rhythms in February half term which focuses on Bermuda’s rich culture.