The Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce has welcomed plans to turn Cooper's Island into a National Nature Preserve.

The first phase of the four-stage project opens to the public on Wednesday, and over the next few years, 44 acres of beach, coastline and woodland will be restored into a "living museum".

The aim is to create an eco-tourism destination, with opportunities for guided walks, scuba diving, bird watching, kayaking and whale watching. The National Park project is expected to cost $7 million, but once up and running, could generate revenue of $400,000 a year.

Government also hopes to create an educational field centre where schoolchildren can learn about the environment, science and social studies. There will be supervised camping opportunities and public access will be restricted to encourage pedestrian access only.

Conservation projects will restore Bermuda's endemic plant and animal life, while Government also plans to create a marine reserve to protect neighbouring sea grass beds.

Restoration of a salt water marsh has already been completed and other natural attractions will include a turtle reserve, butterfly sanctuary, mangrove reserve, fresh water pond and fern sanctuary.

Yesterday, the Bermuda Environmental and Sustainability Taskforce said: "BEST welcomes the news of phase one of Cooper's Island's transition into an eco-resort and applauds the Environment Minister (El James) and his team on the announcement last week."

Chairman Stuart Hayward said: "Preserving large tracts of open space like Cooper's Island is essential in keeping a healthy balance in the lives of all Bermudians. The act of preserving this large swathe of land will provide immeasurable benefits for generations to come.

"The Cooper's Island Management Plan is a visionary document — perhaps the most comprehensive produced for any Government park so far."

Commenting on proposed stewardship programmes to protect animal, fish and plant species, Mr. Hayward said: "Spurred on by the success of the Cahow project and the restoration of Nonsuch Island, we hope that the Government will continue to pave the way for similar environmental success stories.

"The growing economic demands of Bermuda, the needs of our people and the health of the natural environment are all important. What we achieve within the boundary of the Cooper's Island project will help instruct what we must strive for beyond its borders.

"BEST welcomes the opportunity to support this step and looks forward to the completion of the project."