Government has pledged $300,000 to the Buy Back Bermuda campaign to help preserve a piece of the Rock for the enjoyment of future generations.

The donation is a repeat of the funding to BBB's first campaign which resulted in the creation of the Somerset Long Bay East Nature Reserve.

'Round Two' of the campaign now aims to raise $2.5 million to transform land at Eve's Pond, in Hamilton Parish, and Evans Bay Pond, in Southampton, into public open space. It has so far raised $1.7 million towards its goal.

Announcing the $300,000 boost at Skroggins Hill, Somerset, yesterday, Environment Minister El James said: "I'm happy that Dr. David Saul and Buy Back Bermuda are now going for 'Round Two', with a more ambitious plan to purchase two parcels of open land – one in the east and one in the west – that would create an additional ten acres of nature reserve for our precious trees and plants, birds and animals and of course, our people. And I'm happy that this Government will once again donate $300,000 to the campaign.

"These public/private partnerships are key to building a better Bermuda for all – or in this case to save Bermuda from being overbuilt – and ensuring a greener future.

"I also encourage members of the community to open their hearts, and wallets, and to contribute to this most worthy of causes that will benefit all people in Bermuda."

Mr. James added: "This Government understands the importance of open space and is committed to its preservation. A well known and often used statistic is that an area the size of Ferry Reach is lost to development every three years.

"However, during the past few years, through the work of organisations such as Buy Back Bermuda, we should have actually experienced a net gain in space that is now protected from development.

"I would like to thank Dr. Saul and all the dedicated volunteers who make the Buy Back Bermuda campaign so successful, the Bermuda National Trust, Bermuda Audobon Society, and especially to all those benefactors – businesses, NGOs and citizens of this great country.

"Thank you all for helping to preserve what little open space we have left – for us and for the future generations."

BBB facilitator and former Premier Dr. Saul said: "We're absolutely thrilled by the Government's contribution. This has already been matched by an overseas foundation in a repeat gesture of matching the Government's donation last time."

Dr. Saul said BBB has raised $1.7 million in just five months towards the $2.5 million needed.

He said: "We've got $800,000 to go. This is excellent by any standards in Bermuda to raise that amount of money so quickly. However, we need a lot more help, and there's a lot of people out there who I think will be donors who haven't done it yet, so please come forward."

BBB, a partnership between the Bermuda National Trust and the Bermuda Audubon Society, was founded to save the Somerset Long Bay site from a 20-condominium development. The Nature Reserve, which includes a beach, opened last year and was part-funded with a $300,000 donation from Government.

More than 500 members of the public joined with banks, foundations and companies to raise $2 million to buy the three acre nature reserve. The amount needed was $1.7 million, leaving more than $250,000 for new projects.

Eve's Pond, a 3.5 acre plot by Shelly Bay Park, once had an inland tidal pond linked to Harrington Sound. This was filled in with sand from the dredging of Flatts Inlet in 1941, but could now be resurrected.

Evans Bay Pond, covering 7.5 acres near Whale Bay, features mangroves, woodland, rare native flora, cedars and a rich variety of bird life. Video footage of both plots of land can be seen at www.theroyalgazette.com

Anyone wanting to make a donation to the campaign should telephone 238-8628 or send a cheque made payable to: Buy Back Bermuda to PO Box HM 61, Hamilton HM AX.