Government Minister Arthur Hodgson presented the Bermuda National Trust with a check for $200,000 on Friday which will go towards the purchase of unspoilt land in the East End.

In February of 1999, the Bermuda National Trust confirmed the purchase of the western third of Smith's Island at a cost of $850,000.

And at a press conference held at the House of Assembly, Mr. Hodgson noted that the Environment Ministry last year provisionally agreed to purchase a 23.5 percent share in the land.

The money was drawn from the Ministry of the Environment's Other Land Purchases' capital expenditure account.

The Ministry of the Environment recognised the importance of the open land on Smith's Island, which lies in the southeastern corner of St. George's Harbour, for a number of years.

It is one of the largest tracks of unspoilt land in Bermuda and has important historical connections which date back to Bermuda's first seat of Government in 1612.

The Trust will ensure the property is protected from development and preserved in perpetuity as a nature reserve.

The Trust and Government will work together in implementing a management plan designed to improve accessibility to the land and to encourage bird life through the conservation of natural habitats.

A key element of the plan will be the establishment of a major cedar reforestation scheme at the site plus a strong educational component in the form of a conservationist wilderness camp for students along the lines of the Nonsuch Island Camp.

Mr. Hodgson noted that for Government this proposal presented an exciting opportunity to cooperate with the Trust in preserving an important tract of open land by contributing a quarter of the cost and by enhancing Smith's Island as a conservation and education destination.

This was one of the very first proposals presented to the new Minister when he took office and the idea of making a significant contribution to the preservation of some 24 acres of open land was very appealing to him, He said yesterday.

Henry Ming, president of the National Trust and Edith Martin, environmental chair of the National Trust, joined Mr. Hodgson and Works and Engineering Minister Alex Scott yesterday for the signing of documents finalising the agreement.

Signed and sealed: Minister for the Environment Arthur Hodgson signs the agreement between Government and the Bermuda National Trust completing the agreement to buy land on Smith's Island. Also pictured are from left; president of the National Trust Henry Ming and environmental chair of the National Trust Edith Martin.

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