A large swathe of valuable land at Coral Beach Club will be preserved forever as a nature haven after owner Elfrida Chappell donated it to Bermuda Audubon Society.

The 8.7 acre site is one of the biggest donations the Society has ever received, and the group has pledged to continue removing invasive species and restore it to a primary woodland reserve.

On Saturday, Mrs. Chappell, whose family owns Coral Beach Club, gave the land, which will be called the Alfred Blackburn Smith Nature Reserve in memory of her father.

Governor Sir John Vereker and his wife Lady Vereker - the society's patron - were on hand to help plant two cedar trees to mark the occasion.

Audubon Society vice president Andrew Dobson thanked Mrs. Chappell for her “incredible generosity”.

Society president Jennifer Gray said: “This 8.7-acre reserve is one of the last remaining tracts of undeveloped Bermuda upland forest and is truly a national treasure.

“Breaks through the wooded cliff-top trail offer spectacular views of South Shore. Unusual plants such as Box Briar, Darrell's Fleabane, and Turnera all thrive.

“Longtails nest on the coastal side of the reserve, while the woodlands on the lee-side of the hilltop provide habitat for a variety of birdlife”.

Staff at Coral Beach began restoring the site about ten years ago while practising horticultural techniques, rplacinginvasive species withendemic plants.

Students from Bermuda College and the Audubon Society have continued the work.

Mrs. Chappell said: “I am very happy that Bermuda Audubon Society has accepted my offer of the southern portion of the property as a bird sanctuary and nature reserve.

“I am confident that, in their care, birds and native plants flourish and that it will remain a lovely peaceful piece of old Bermuda coastline.”

Mrs Chappell was given the land by her father as a 21st birthday present in 1935.

The site will be open to members and guests of Coral Beach Club and to members of the Audubon Society by appointment.