Bank and charity pair up for tree-planting project
Hundreds of trees will be planted in a three-year partnership between a financial institution and a preservation charity.
Clarien Bank announced that it will team up with the Bermuda National Trust to add native and endemic specimens as well as shrubs in public places.
A company spokesman said that 100 trees would be planted each year for the next three years.
He explained: “The tree planting initiative, which launches next month, is a core part of the values of Clarien+ – a premium banking service and product offering for qualifying clients – as well as part of Clarien’s wider efforts to support ecological sustainability on the island.
“Clarien’s total commitment of $10,000 a year, for three years, includes the cost of the plant specimens – 50 trees including cedars, palmettos and olivewoods, and 50 shrubs – as well as labour and materials for planting and aftercare.
“To ensure this project will benefit the entire community, the plantings will be in three spaces that are all open to the wider public – primarily Scaur Lodge Nature Reserve, which can be accessed by individuals and groups at any time for relaxation, wellness and family activities.”
The spokesman said that the property, in Sandys, had three open-space areas including nature, woodland and agricultural reserves.
He added: “According to BNT, the plan is to increase the presence of native and endemic flora within the reserve, which will help to reduce the effects of climate change as well as increase biodiversity.
“Some invasive species removal will also be required to enable planting, which is why Clarien employees and several Clarien+ clients have stepped up to give of their time on two upcoming dates: Friday, November 4 and Friday, March 31, to get this project off the ground successfully.
“Other locations for the plantings include Royal Naval Dockyard Cemetery and Watford Island Military Cemetery.”
Michael DeCouto, Clarien’s chief marketing and digital officer, said: “We are extremely pleased to be able to partner with Bermuda National Trust and help in its mission of protecting and promoting Bermuda’s unique natural and cultural heritage.
“Through this three-year tree planting initiative, we look forward to planting trees and shrubs – not only to increase wildlife habitat and improve air quality, but also to ensure the future sustainability of the island’s native and endemic species.”
Myles Darrell, the BNT’s head of natural heritage, added: “Bermuda National Trust is delighted to partner with Clarien for this initiative.
“As the owners of a significant amount of open space in trust for Bermuda, much of it publicly accessible, we believe these plantings can benefit the whole community.
“Drawing on our woodland management expertise, Bermuda National Trust will assist Clarien with the planning, appropriate species selection, planting and aftercare, all of which are critical to ensure this long-term project is a success.”
The trust aims to protect Bermuda’s natural and cultural heritage by acquiring and conserving land, buildings and artefacts, while also inspiring residents to develop appreciation for the island’s natural environment.
It cares for 277 acres of land made up of 82 properties.
The Clarien spokesman said: “As part of the launch of this special partnership between Clarien and BNT, the bank will host a special event in early November for Clarien+ clients featuring keynote speaker Bryan Naqqi Manco, the assistant director of research and development in the Department of Environment and Coastal Resources from Turks & Caicos Islands.
“Working as a conservation project manager and ecologist since 2010, Mr Naqqi Manco has become a specialist in the botany and plant communities and has carried out extensive fieldwork documenting biodiversity of the islands including plants, reptiles and birds.”
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