A plan aimed at increasing the amount of conserved open spaces by 25 percent and creating a list of protected animals and birds was launched by Government yesterday.

Environment Minister Dennis Lister formally launched the Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (BSAP) at a press conference at the Elbow Beach Hotel, saying the document was a "comprehensive blueprint for conservation in Bermuda".

"It is a five year plan that provides a framework for harnessing resources and for addressing the most critical issues facing Bermuda's biodiversity," Mr. Lister said.

"The aim of the plan is to conserve Bermuda's natural diversity through the care of our unique island environment to enhance the quality of life for present and future generations."

The 70-page document contains dozens of recommendations and urges the entire community to get behind the effort. It has the full support of the Cabinet, Mr. Lister said.

"We can no longer afford to think that protecting our natural heritage is something we will tackle if we have time," warns the document.

"Protecting our biodiversity is about protecting the earth's life support system and our own quality of life and it should be viewed as a long term investment in our future."

One of the plan's aims is to integrate bio-diversity conservation into every Government programme and policy decisions by 2007.

Mr. Lister said that a mechanism for doing so had not yet been developed but it will be looked at.

"The policy decisions that are made will take into consideration the environmental impact," he said.

Anne Glasspool, who led the team that managed the development of the plan stressed that it also calls for training and workshops throughout Government. She added that compromises were inevitable given Bermuda's diversity and level of sophistication but that every effort should be made to ensure that its 27 guiding principles are taken into account.

Citing lack of public awareness as probably the "biggest threat to Bermuda's biodiversity" the plan aims to improve biodiversity education and training for every age group by 35 percent.

"An essential long term goal is to ensure that every student who graduates is biodiversity-literate and understands the danger of the continuing loss of our native species to both our own society, and the global community," it states.

"Adult biodiversity education will also be supported, whilst the training needs of those directly engaged in environmental protection will be addressed to ensure that the latest technology and information is incorporated into the management of our biodiversity."

Based on the Bermuda Biodiversity Country Study, a comprehensive audit of the Island's biodiversity, the plan calls upon each individual to become conservation activists.

It envisions a 25 percent increase in "active participation" of the community and the private sector in "ecologically responsible behaviours".

And it recognises a need to link financial incentives and penalties to the conservation agenda.

The Environment Ministry has already launched a grants scheme for conservation projects.

"The plan also recognises that fines serve as deterrents to environmental infractions and it addresses methods of strengthening these where appropriate."

It calls for strengthening environmental laws by 2005 and implementing a Protected Species Act which would cover land-based species in addition to marine species currently protected by the Fisheries Act.

And the plan aims to increase the amount of protected areas on the Island by 25 percent. Fourteen percent of Bermuda is covered in concrete, the report notes, while about 4.5 percent is protected.

"Most of the land is held privately," said Jack Ward, another member of BSAP's management team.

"The community needs to be involved in managing diversity or else we would not succeed."

He described the plan as "practical and achievable" but also "extremely ambitious".

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Copies of the plan can be obtained by downloading it from the website (www.bioiversityactionplan.bm) or contacting the Bermuda Biodiversity Coordinating Unit at the Department of Conservation Services (tel: 293-2727).