A botanist from the Bahamas is to give a lecture this month and will share his knowledge in support of work to revitalise the Botanical Gardens in Bermuda.

Ethan Freid works at the Leon Levy plant reserve, which is managed by the Bahamas National Trust.

His lecture, hosted by the Bermuda Zoological Society, will focus on the “inspiring” story of how the 30-acre garden — the only accredited botanical garden in the Bahamas — came to life and its impact over the past 15 years.

He will share how the preserve has become a hub for education, scientific research and native Bahamian plant conservation, helping to protect the biodiversity of the Bahamas while connecting communities to the island’s rich ecological heritage.

Last year, the Bermuda Botanical Society signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bermuda Government to help enhance funding and development for the Botanical Gardens.

Dr Freid will be working with the society, sharing his expertise and providing support for the continuing work to revitalise the island’s Botanical Gardens.

Jennifer Flood, the president of the society, said: “As many will be aware, the Bermuda Botanical Gardens have struggled over the past few years. Plant labels and important records have been lost or damaged.

“To help rectify this, Dr Freid is in Bermuda to assist with the definitive identification of the plants in the Bermuda Botanical Gardens, so that accurate, permanent, accessible records can be made and digitised, and plant labels created.

“He will also be supporting local plant specialists with staff training.

“This will be a major step forward in helping our gardens reach an international accreditation standard from the Botanic Gardens Conservation International accreditation scheme, thereby increasing the opportunities for grants and training through various overseas organisations.”

In November, Lieutenant-Colonel David Burch, who was then the public works minister, said the MOU allowed the Government to access a wider range of funding sources — including grants, donations, earned income and contributions from corporate sponsors, community groups and the general public — that the society obtained.

The funds could then be disbursed by the ministry for specific improvement projects at the Paget location.

Ms Flood said Dr Freid is responsible for the siting, planting, care and maintenance of the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve.

She added: “His experiences at Leon Levy, in other Caribbean countries, the Mourouk Botanic Garden, Mauritius, and Swaminathan Botanical Garden, Kerala, will enable Dr Freid to provide invaluable guidance as the Bermuda Botanical Gardens moves towards accreditation.”

The lecture will take place on July 9 from 7pm to 8:30pm in the Aquarium Hall at the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo.

The event is free but attendees are encouraged to make a $10 donation that will be shared equally to support both the BZS and the Bermuda Botanical Society.

To sign up, visit: signupgenius.com/go/10C0D49AFA828A7F5C52-57337141-the#/