After suffering considerable damage from Hurricane Fabian, Tulo Valley Plant Nursery was re-opened by Minister of the Environment Neletha Butterfield yesterday.

The 30-plus year-old facility was rebuilt during the 2005/2006 year costing the Government approximately $535,000.

Not only was the nursery rebuilt but improvements were made that have left it in a better state.

A new water catchment was created with a 48,000-gallon storage tank, a 15,000-gallon capacity brackish water reverse osmosis plant and a truck filling station. The water is to supply areas maintained by the Ministry.

In addition to the water catchment, two greenhouses have been replaced and a new shade unit was built with a retractable roof. A new car park was also installed.

Tulo Valley is the only producer of Bermuda?s native and endemic plants.

It also provides the majority of the plant stock used for Bermuda?s parks and nature reserves. The plant nursery grows special plants for the Botanical Gardens and Arboretum as well.

In her speech, Minister Butterfield thanked everyone involved in the rebuilding.

?I want to take this opportunity to express sincere thanks to all who were involved in the restoration process for the nursery, especially our dedicated staff at the Ministry of the Environment,? she said.