Cooper's Island is to be transformed into an eco-tourism destination, providing opportunities for guided walks, scuba diving, bird watching, kayaking and whale watching.

The nature reserve and former NASA Tracking Station will become the Cooper's Island National Nature Reserve and classed as a National Park, together with nearby Clearwater Beach.

Over a period of eight years the 44 acres of beaches, coastline and woodlands will be restored and nurtured into a "living museum".

The project is expected to cost $7 million but once up and running, could generate revenue of up to $400,000 a year.

Using models of eco-tourism reserves in Belize, the Bahamas, Australia and Kenya, the Department of Conservation Services and Department of Parks will aim to create a destination where "locals and international visitors can experience, enjoy and benefit from Bermuda's natural environment".

The Ministry of the Environment sees the area as a potential "environmental education field centre" but it will also be opened up as a location for personal exercise and fitness.

However, there will be strict guidelines and measures to protect the eco-system from the impact of humans. Supervised camping will be allowed for schools and community groups at strategic locations, and despite a parking area and public transport hub, the Reserve will be pedestrian access only.

A marine reserve will also be created around the island to protect seagrass beds. Boats and jet skis will be subject to a 'no anchoring' policy within a 100-metre radius of the peninsula.

The creation of the park also recognises the drowned cedar forest off Gurnet Rock as a site of special scientific interest. The roots and stumps are estimated to be more than 7,290 years old and sit in 30 feet of water.

In the Reserve itself, natural attractions will include a turtle reserve, butterfly sanctuary, salt marsh, mangrove reserve, fresh water pond and fern sanctuary. Environment Minister El James told the House of Assembly: "The public's reaction to the proposal to preserve Cooper's Island as a nature reserve and national park for the future use of Bermuda's residents, schoolchildren and visitors has been one of overwhelming support, with a number of individuals and organisations offering to help with restoration efforts."The return of Cooper's Island to the Government of Bermuda heralds the start of a new future for Cooper's Island, and presents Bermuda with a unique opportunity to retain one of its last remaining open spaces as a green lung in our ever-increasingly developed Island."Cooper's Island is rich in ecological and cultural significance and as such will be preserved as a Nature Reserve and National Park to provide for the educational, recreational and social enjoyment of our children, residents and visitors today, and for future generations to enjoy."The former NASA site will be incorporated into the visitor facilities. The Tracking Station, built in 1960, was operational for the launch of the Mercury Atlas 4 Mission in September 1961, and then took part in the Gemini, Apollo and Skylab missions.The Department of Parks now proposes turning the Mission Control building into a combined Museum, Visitor and Recreation Centre, providing facilities for sports teams and school groups.Meanwhile, the small firearms range used by the Police Service will be kept in use for another three years.The Weather Service's Doppler Radar will also remain intact. This tracks and warns of severe weather systems, while Harbour Radio also uses it for radio transmitters and antennae in assisting marine navigation.Yesterday, conservationist Dr. David Wingate, who is responsible for bringing the Cahow back from the brink of extinction, welcomed the plans. He said: "I've said all long that making Cooper's Island into a national park and nature reserve is potentially the greatest payback in terms of nature conservation of any land in Bermuda. But it's a huge task as the area has been subjected to military use since the 1940s."Cooper's Island is five times as big as Nonsuch Island so there's huge potential for public access there," said Dr. Wingate. "It's my hope that it could become a nature reserve of international significance."