The National Trust’s efforts to clear Bermuda’s open spaces in the wake of last month’s two major storms have been bolstered by scores of volunteers.

The charity will be holding the latest in a series of volunteer action days at the Middleton Nature Reserve on Sunday.

“We are ever so grateful for the community response to our plea for help cleaning up nature reserves after Fay and Gonzalo,” Jennifer Gray, the Trust’s executive director, told The Royal Gazette: “We have had individual volunteers, school groups, corporate groups, gifts of landscapers and financial contributions putting us on an encouraging road to recovery from overwhelming damage to these special places.

“A wonderful group of young and old showed up at Paget Marsh to tackle huge fallen trees and a mountain of debris.

“Many brought their own tools and persevered despite threatening skies and the rumble of thunder.”

Over the past few weeks, employees from the Lancashire Group have cleared the main trail at Sherwin Nature Reserve.

CedarBridge Academy students have also been involved in clearing the Sherwin Nature Reserve and Paget Marsh.

“To see our community come together in our support has been heartwarming and we give thanks for each and every gift,” Ms Gray added. “There is still so much to be done and we don’t want this community spirit to wane.

“We encourage people to join the Trust on November 30 at the Middleton Nature Reserve from 10am to 3pm.

“Please contact the Trust if you can help. The work ahead is still daunting and will take many months, if not years, but the community support keeps us going for the benefit of all.”

David Wingate, the former Conservation Officer, called for the planting of Bermuda cedars, palmettos and olive woods in the aftermath of the storm.

“The beauty of our open spaces is too important to our tourist trade to wait that long when the Trust is responsible for one third of our designated parks and reserves,” he said.

“The best long-term solution to the nature reserve management staff shortage would be a large increase in endowment funds. Those who can’t volunteer time maybe want to consider donations to the endowment.

“The biggest problem that will result if we delay clearing and replanting is that the worst of our fast-growing invasive species will take advantage of the increased light reaching the ground and grow rapidly to smother the slower-growing and more desirable trees and shrubs.

“Now is the time to selectively clear those invasives before we begin replanting, and follow-up culling will be essential at frequent intervals until new plantings are big enough to compete.”