The new principal curator of the Bermuda Aquarium, Museum and Zoo (BAMZ) said there are "great times ahead" at the facility - especially for families and teens.

Brian Lightbourne, who will taking over the post, was previously one of the the aquarium and zoo's curators.

He will now be overseeing all aspects of the BAMZ, including its education and conservation projects.

Having started his BAMZ career soon after graduating from university with a bachelor's degree in earth sciences in 1990, Mr. Lightbourne's first position was as an aquarist in the Invertebrate House.

But his skills were quickly recognised and by 1994 he was promoted to plant manager and attained his previous post as a curator of the aquarium and zoo in 1999.

Looking to the future of the Island, Mr. Lightbourne was quick to emphasise that "the environment is the most precious and important" of its assets and not just for the tourism trade, but for the "mental well being" of Bermudians.

"As the pace of life accelerates Bermudians lose focus of the natural world with other day-to-day concerns becoming more important,'' he said. "Life is too short and it's a terrible loss."

Mr. Lightbourne is determined to help Bermudians "just stop and appreciate wonders of the natural world."

"It's getting even harder with everyone living in such close proximity to their neighbours," he said.

"But the environment should be an escape, an opportunity to get away from it all."

Mr. Lightbourne is brimming with ideas to implement his vision of a Bermuda which is more appreciative of its natural wealth.

"It would be really nice to take every secondary school student out on a snorkelling trip to North Rock,'' he said.

"We need to create stewards for the future."

By bringing a new education focus to the secondary students - through such trips as well as new internships for science students - Mr. Lightbourne says he hopes to bring a new vision of Bermuda to local teenagers.

But Mr. Lightbourne doesn't stop with just teenagers.

"We really want to create opportunities for families," said Mr. Lightbourne, who said he hopes that environmental conservation and volunteering together at the BAMZ could be one means of strengthening the bonds of Bermuda's families. "I think I'm the luckiest man around," said Mr. Lightbourne, who said he is looking forward to building on the BAMZ's already numerous successes which include a prospering education system and a zoo which last year was named one of the best in the world by the website, www.askmen.com.

"The fabric of this organisation is the dedication of the people. That is the the best part of my work," he said, adding that the tireless staff, hundreds of volunteers and BAMZ donors all add to "a collective vision which is second to none."

Mr. Lightbourne succeeds the former principal curator, Jack Ward, who was named the director of conservation services after an Environment Ministry reorganisation.

"Brian Lightbourne's promotion (to principle curator) provides an orderly succession," said Mr. Ward, who added that his successor "will provide security for the continued improvement of the BAMZ and its programmes."

Environment Minister Dennis Lister celebrated Mr. Lightbourne's new position at a special function held last Wednesday evening.