As more and more of Bermuda’s treasured open space finds itself earmarked for housing or hotel development, one project in a corner of the Island is giving green campaigners cause for cheer.

Six years after NASA closed its tracking station, Government is well on the way to returning Cooper’s Island, St. David’s, to its pre Second World War status as a nature haven.

Endemic killie fish now swim in one newly cleared former dumping ground at the spot, while freshly planted native species are able to thrive after invasive plants were culled by Environment Ministry staff.

Part of the plan, launched two years ago, involves the creation of a timber boardwalk to allow visitors to see for themselves the endangered but important habitat at the reserve. An education centre is also being set up at the site so people of all ages can learn about environmental heritage in an increasingly concrete world.

Yesterday marked another step on the road to restoration when Belco staff planted more than 60 trees — endemic Bermuda cedar and olivewood — which will in time add to the green effect.

Work is being carried out by the Ministry’s Department of Parks and Conservation Services. Environment Permanent Secretary Kevin Monkman said some of the latest efforts had involved the remediation of a salt water marsh.

“It had been used for dumping and then covered in,” said Mr. Monkman. “The Department of Parks created two decent areas. One of them is covered with water, which is permanently wetland and now has endemic killie fish.

“The other area is a tidal marsh, which means it doubles in size at the high tide.”

Andrew Dobson, former president of Bermuda Audubon Society, said the water areas were an excellent addition to the Island’s natural environment.

“I knew the reserve as it was,” said Mr. Dobson. “The restoration of the reserve and creation of new ponds will certainly help conserve Bermuda’s fauna and flora.

“The Department of Conservation Services have done a fine job in clearing out invasive plants and planting native endemic species. The area is crucial as part of the whole Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve national park area.

“This is one of the few wilderness areas left in Bermuda. There’s very few places you can go and get away from everything. It’s important that both people and wildlife can make use of this protected environment.”

Of the impact on local birds, Mr. Dobson said: “Designating the area as a nature reserve is particularly important for the protection of nearby nesting Cahows and the many pairs of native Longtails.”

Paying tribute to the remediation of the salt water marsh, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield said: “I’m very excited about this development. This was a former dump site that has been completely rejuvenated through the efforts of the Department of Conservation Services and Department of Parks.

“This is one of the few nature reserves in Bermuda that the public will have the ability to go into and experience rather than just look at it from the edge.”

The National Trust is also excited about the developments.

“We are delighted that the Ministry of Environment and Department of Parks and Conservation Services have taken on this project,” said environmental conservation officer Dorcas Roberts.

“The way they have kept open space preserved is ecologically vital but they are also creating an education centre to teach about environmental heritage, which is just as important. It couldn’t get any better — we are thrilled.”