The Bermuda National Trust plans to plant more than 2,000 native and endemic plants throughout the island in 2026.

Myles Darrell, the organisation’s head of natural heritage, said volunteers would continue planting Bermuda cedar, palmetto, yellowwood and other trees at local nature reserves.

He explained: “These trees are adapted to Bermuda’s windy, salty and shallow-soil conditions and stabilise soil, reduce erosion, protect freshwater resources and improve resilience to storms and climate change.”

He added: “Planting efforts will continue at Gilbert Nature Reserve, Sherwin Nature Reserve, Paget Marsh, Spittal Pond and High Point Nature Reserve, while also extending to other reserves throughout the island.”

Low-growing plants such as Bermuda bedstraw, St Andrew’s Cross and shield fern will also be planted in these areas this year.

Mr Darrell said these plants “help prevent erosion, improve water infiltration, build healthy soils and support insects and other wildlife”.

He added: “Ground cover plants also help suppress invasive species and protect tree roots by moderating soil temperatures.

“Together with trees and shrubs, they complete the natural structure of healthy ecosystems and make restored habitats more resilient over time.”

BNT will also continue work at the ten-acre High Point Nature Reserve in Southampton, which opened to the public in April.

The Buy Back Bermuda campaign, co-managed by BNT and the Bermuda Audubon Society, raised funds for the High Point project and plans to raise an additional $250,000 to complete ongoing work.

Mr Darrell explained: “Meaningful recovery takes decades, not years, and some work, such as invasive species control, native planting and monitoring, will continue indefinitely.

“Restoration is never truly finished — it becomes a commitment carried forward by successive generations.”

He encouraged people to protect native plants, remove invasive species from their properties and volunteer with organisations such as BNT.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources lists plants such as Brazil pepper, casuarina, morning glory and cow cane as invasive species in Bermuda.

The environment is not the only thing on BNT’s radar for 2026 — the organisation is also working to reopen the Tucker House Museum in St George.

Charlotte Andrews, the BNT head of cultural heritage, said the Grade 1-listed building has been closed after falling ceilings made it unsafe last year.

She explained: “BNT is in the assessment and investigation phase to determine the full extent of conservation work required to the historic fabric.

“Until that process is complete, it is not possible to give a firm timeline for the works or reopening.”

Tucker House is not set to reopen until 2027 but Dr Andrews said its full conservation has allowed BNT to rethink the museum.

She said: “This project provides a stable conservation ‘canvas’ on which to reimagine Tucker House as an historic house museum that retains the atmosphere and character visitors value, while also becoming more dynamic, accessible and inclusive.”

BNT also plans to improve the archaeology laboratory in Globe Museum, also in St George.

Dr Andrews said: “These works are focused on strengthening its role as a specialist archaeology laboratory and collections support space, serving both the World Heritage Site and BNT’s wider heritage programmes”.

She added: “The project will improve environmental controls, safety and workflow, while increasing capacity for the assessment, stabilisation, cataloguing and long-term storage of archaeological material.”

BNT will also conserve and restore memorials and boundary walls at 11 historic cemeteries across the island next year.

Dr Andrews said that each memorial would be assessed individually and conservation aligned with international best practices.

She added: “This may include carefully cleaning stonework, stabilising or resetting leaning memorials, repairing fractures and conserving boundary walls through sensitive masonry repairs and repointing.

“The aim is to arrest further deterioration while retaining historic fabric, legibility and commemorative integrity.”

Keep Bermuda Beautiful also outlined big ambitions for 2026.

A spokeswoman said more than 5,100 volunteers collected 133,000lb of litter during 293 clean-ups throughout the island this year.

She explained: “The 2026 vision is for increased engagement, with more clean-ups scheduled and expanded outreach, especially through our flagship events.

“Given this growth, we would like to exceed 133,000lb, especially with support from more school, volunteers and new community programmes.”

KBB plans to launch a hub for environmental education and volunteer leadership programme and expand its school outreach, Adopt A Spot corporate campaign and partnership with Beyond Plastic Bermuda.

Beyond Plastic Bermuda works to reduce single-use plastics and promote more sustainable practices throughout the island.

The spokeswoman said: “KBB plans to collaborate with Beyond Plastic on education campaigns in schools and possibly co-develop curriculum materials and host joint events like workshops or panel discussions about plastic pollution.”

Kim Smith, the executive director of the Bermuda Environmental Sustainability Taskforce, said the organisation would fight to preserve and improve the island’s quality of life through sustainable management in 2026.

Ms Smith said: “What we do in the environment affects us and all other living things — a failure to appreciate this fact is the biggest environmental threat.

“We all need to play a part by thinking more collectively, understanding that what we do as a country is determined by what we do as individuals.”