World renowned conservationist Dr. David Wingate donated six acres of woodland reserve and rural land in Warwick Parish to the National Trust at their Annual General Meeting last night.

The gift was a huge surprise for everyone at the meeting and was received with a standing ovation.

Trust president Henry Ming said: "We are deeply grateful for this gift and will make every effort to see that David's wish to have his generosity matched is complied with. This is a wonderful gift to the people of Bermuda by a man who has already contributed so much to the Island."

Dr. Wingate said he was fortuitous to inherit the land and it was his express wish that the land be managed as a nature reserve for research on woodland management and native forest restoration with emphasis on the Bermuda Cedar.

Dr. Wingate said: "I am doing this because I perceive that our rapidly diminishing and fragmented woodlands are under the greatest threat at present by development and I want to put my money where my mouth is.''