Government today gave a boost to the Buy Back Bermuda campaign with a $300,000 donation.

The pledge is a repeat of the funding to the first campaign, which resulted in the creation of the Somerset Long Bay East Nature Reserve last year.

Round Two of the Buy Back Bermuda (BBB) campaign aims to create open space for public recreation at Eve’s Pond in Hamilton Parish and Evans Bay Pond in Southampton.

BBB is a partnership between the Bermuda National Trust and the Audubon Society, and needs to raise $2.5 million to purchase these two parcels of land.

Announcing the Government funding, Environment Minister El James said: “These public/private partnerships are key to building a better Bermuda for all - or in this case to save Bermuda from being built - 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: “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.”

Anyone who wants to make a donation to the campaign should send a cheque made payable to Buy Back Bermuda to PO Box HM 61, Hamilton HM AX. For more information on giving to the scheme call Mansae Le Vaillant on 236-6483 extension 222 or email mansae@bnt.bm.

* See tomorrow’s Royal Gazette for the full story.