The Bermuda Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan - a living, evolving conservation plan for the Island - was launched on Friday.

"We can no longer afford to think that protecting our natural heritage is something we will tackle if we have time," warns a summary report of the 70-page 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 biodiversity conservation into every Government programme and policy decisions by 2007.

And, citing lack of public awareness as probably the "biggest threat to Bermuda's biodiversity" it 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 issues, the plan calls upon each individual to become conservation activists.

The plan 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 plan explores novel approaches to expanding the available suite of incentives, with particular emphasis on the protection of open spaces and habitats, native species, and sustainable and environmentally responsible businesses.

"The plan also recognises that fines serve as deterrents to environmental infractions and 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.

It is the first attempt to coordinate the Island's conservation efforts and fulfils a key requirement of the International Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) a 1992 treaty signed by 153 countries including Britain on behalf of its colonies. The five-year plan was developed in consultation with a number of community groups and individuals who participated in a series of workshops last year.

Copies of the plan can be downloaded from the Bermuda Biodiversity Action Plan website (www.biodiversityaction.bm) or from the Department of Conservation Services.