Government wants to turn Cooper?s Island into a nature reserve ? and is asking for the public to give their input over the next two months.

Environment Minister Neletha Butterfield revealed Government?s plan for the 77-acre spot at a Press conference in the Botanical Gardens on Thursday.

?The area now known as Cooper?s Island includes Clearwater Beach Park, the existing Cooper?s Island Nature Reserve and the area formerly occupied by the United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA),? she said.

After NASA closed its tracking station in 2001 and handed that part of the site back to Bermuda, Government saw an opportunity.

?The Ministry of the Environment, in consultation with other Government Ministries, has put together a detailed proposal for Cooper?s Island,? the Minister said.

?The vision is to create a nature reserve and parkland area, a green lung in our increasingly developed Island.

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

?The former NASA Mission Control building will be converted into a visitor centre and museum. The museum will celebrate the significance of Cooper?s Island in the early exploration of space and the history of the military presence here in Bermuda.

?An environmental education field centre on the site will host school groups, students and scientists who wish to learn hands-on about Bermuda?s natural history.?

Visitors would also be able to visit the beaches and go on guided nature tours, Ms Butterfield said.

?Cooper?s Island has the potential to become a world-class environmental and eco-tourist destination.?

Government hopes to partner with local interest groups to oversee implementation and management of the project, with the Minister adding that ?international funds will also be sought?.

Technical officers Julie Marshall and Victoria Pereira from the Department of Planning, Drew Petitt and Craig Burt from the Department of Parks, and Jeremy Madeiros and Sarah Manual from Conservation Services have been working on the project and have prepared an impressive display illustrating Government?s plans for the site, the reasoning behind it, and considering other options.

The display is currently at the Visitor?s Centre in the Botanical Gardens, and will be moved to the Old Cottage at the Botanical Gardens during the Annual Exhibition.

Comment forms are available at the display, while detailed copies of the draft plan are available free of charge at the Ministry of Environment headquarters, as well as the Departments of Parks, Planning, Environmental Protection and Conservation Services.

?I would strongly encourage everyone to visit this exhibit and submit their comments and ideas,? Ms Butterfield said.

?It is a great opportunity for everyone to get involved in shaping the future of one of our last precious open spaces.?