COOPER'S Island is to become Bermuda's "green lung", a protected area of nature reserve and parkland, Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield announced yesterday.

The area, which includes Clearwater Beach, the existing Cooper's Island nature reserve and the former US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) mission control building, comprises around 77 acres.

Ms Butterfield unveiled plans for a phased woodland restoration programme and the conversion of the old NASA building into a visitor centre and museum commemorating the venue's role in space exploration as well as military history in Bermuda.

The proposals are featured in a public exhibition at the Botanical Gardens, opened by the Minister yesterday.

The 'island', which is close to Nonsuch Island and the cahow nesting grounds, was actually joined to St. David's as part of the airport land reclamation project in the 1940s.

Ms Butterfield said the area had the potential to become "a world-class environmental and eco-tourist destination".

"The return of this important site to Bermuda heralds the start of a new future for Cooper's Island and provides a unique opportunity to retain one of Bermuda's last remaining open spaces," Ms Butterfield said.

"The vision is to create a nature reserve and parkland area, a green lung in our ever increasingly developed island.

"It is proposed that Cooper's Island will be restored to its pre-World War Two status through a phased woodland restoration programme pioneered by the original 'Living Museum' programme on the adjacent Nonsuch Island.

"The restoration and protection of Cooper's Island as a nature reserve and parkland is a win-win scenario for everyone ? educators, conservationists, historians, tour operators, tourists and, most importantly, the people of Bermuda."

The Minister envisaged guided nature tours on a network of walking trails through the replanted woodland and an environmental education field centre to host school groups, students and scientists studying Bermuda's natural history.

Ms Butterfield added: There will be creative employment and revenue generating opportunities for land managers, habitat specialists, ecologists, guides and concession managers.

"It is envisaged that partnerships will be forged between government and local interest groups to oversee the implementation and management of this important project. International funds will also be sought."