Bank workers joined Keep Bermuda Beautiful and others to help tackle litter and invasive species at Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve yesterday.

More than 100 HSBC employees worked hand-in-hand with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources and the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences to collect trash, remove invasive plants and plant native species at the park in St George’s.

The clean-up is the most recent of several actions carried out by HSBC staff at the East End site since the bank “adopted” part of the nature reserve in 2009.

An HSBC spokeswoman said: “Employees engaged in clearing the beaches of harmful plastics both at Cooper’s Island and Nonsuch Island, the removal of invasive plants and the planting of over 100 native plants with the restoration of a palmetto forest.

“Two new picnic areas have been created to provide greater accessibility for the public to enjoy the reserve with friends and family. Additionally, in the area maintained by ASU BIOS, volunteers laid down wood chippings to create a new nature trail through a cedar forest.

“Bank employees also walked the trails and beaches to pick up and log litter to support Keep Bermuda Beautiful’s ‘Sea of Change’ initiative.”

Greg Garnier, the HSBC chief executive, said the bank was proud of the work carried out at Cooper’s Island through the volunteering effort.

He added: “We want to continue to contribute to Bermuda and its communities. We will continue to do it not only through charitable monetary contributions but also through volunteers’ hours, where our employees are both happy and engaged as they contribute to what matters to all of us, preserving our island home.

“In addition, through partnerships with other like-minded, environmentally conscious organisations such as DENR, ASU BIOS and KBB, we have been able to expand our efforts this year to include several new and exciting projects.”

Jaché Adams, the Minister of Public Works and Environment, said: “The Government welcomes the continued partnership with HSBC Bermuda in supporting the care and restoration of Cooper’s Island Nature Reserve.

“This initiative demonstrates how the corporate community, non-governmental organisations and the Government can work together to protect our environment, enhance public spaces and promote sustainability.

“I commend HSBC’s staff for their commitment to volunteering and contributing to the long-term stewardship of one of Bermuda’s most treasured natural areas.”