The Garden Club of Bermuda has raised $20,000 for the 'Buy Back Bermuda' campaign and encourage other locals to "preserve a piece of the rock".

The Garden Club has been dedicated to raising money for civic projects since 1921 and is tremendously successful with its annual fundraising event Open Home and Gardens programme, explained Press Officer Sally Madden.

For three weeks each year, several club members open up their homes and gardens for the paying public to view; this is the second time part of the proceeds have been donated to Buy Back Bermuda.

Club member and chairman of the Scholarship Fund, Janet Owner encourages more locals to preserve green spaces and told The Royal Gazette: "It occurs to me we should encourage all of Bermuda to do this to preserve a piece of the rock for future generations.

"There is only so much land in Bermuda and it is rapidly disappearing and we need to preserve as much for future generations to enjoy."

The Buy Back Bermuda campaign, established in 2004, is a joint effort by the Bermuda Audubon Society and Bermuda National Trust to save precious space from development. Since its inception they have been able to save Pittman's Pond at Somerset Long Bay, which was under threat in 2005.

They are presently trying to raise $2.5 million to buy 11 acres of land, close to eight acres near Evan's Bay Pond in Southampton and another three acres near Shelly Bay in Hamilton Parish.

David Saul, former Premier and chairman of Buy Back Bermuda was extremely grateful for the club's contributions on the Island, not only through its grants, but also its scholarship programme.

He said: "The Garden Club is one of the gems of Bermuda. It keeps a low profile but its generosity in scholarships and grants are quite remarkable and it has been doing it quietly for decades."

Dr. Saul explained that donations have come from 600 people and companies so far, but they are looking for 400 more donors to come forward by the end of the year.

He said: "We are so far in seven months and we are over 80 per cent of the way to our 2.5 million target; with most things like this, the last 20 per cent is always really a struggle, so grants like this from The Garden Club for $20,000 will be a big help for us reaching our target."

According to Dr. Saul every person that donates, whether they give $5 or $50,000, will have their name inscribed on a plaque; Lady Lully (wife of Sir David Gibbons) will have her name beside a school girl who donated her pocket money for the month.

The $20,000 donation was also gratefully received by Bermuda National Trust (BNT). Director Jennifer Gray, who said: "I think it is a tremendous donation for a small organisation and truly reflects their passion for a greener Bermuda for everyone to enjoy."

"It highlighted the fact that many Bermudians are concerned about the issue of over development and the need to protect green spaces.

"We have had an overall response from all aspects of the community, from young school children to the elderly, parish council, organisations, the corporate world and Bermuda Government- everyone seems to be on board."

Anyone that wishes to donate to the Buy Back Bermuda campaign are encouraged to do so at PO BOX HM 61, HMAX, Hamilton or call 236-6483.